MARION, N.C. — The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has opened snorkel sites across western North Carolina for the purpose of recreation, education and action. The team just wrapped up the pilot events.

What You Need To Know

  • The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has opened snorkel sites across western North Carolina
  • The sites are included in the Catawba River Basin, French Broad River Basin, Hiwassee River Basin, Little Tennessee River Basin and the Yadkin River Basin 
  • The NCWRC wants to raise awareness and generate compassion toward species and rivers in the area

“Some of these species are basically only in western North Carolina, so that’s probably the coolest thing,” NCWRC River Conservation Biologist Luke Etchison said.

Biologists, like Etchison, jump in the Catawba River to study life under the surface. 

“Sometimes we’re in the same river a whole week, and every day we see a new species,” Etchison said to the group gathering at the river. 

Team members are now welcoming people of all ages to join them on the new Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail. These designated snorkeling spots have been created to expand eyes on the region’s rivers alongside North Carolina's Year of the Trail. The Catawba River is just one of the stops along the way.

The 10 pilot sites are located in the Catawba River Basin, French Broad River Basin, Hiwassee River Basin, Little Tennessee River Basin and the Yadkin River Basin.

“We know there's a lot of things where people aren't going to care about it unless they see it themselves,” Etchison said. “This kind of gives the road map for how folks can go out on their own and see these species. It's just kind of a new approach for experiencing wildlife.”

With this new trail, the team hopes to make even more finds.

“When I was growing up, I didn't quite realize how many things there were,” Etchison said. “And if you see all these things under the surface, maybe you start thinking a little bit more about what you're doing on the land and what kind of mark you're leaving on the watershed.”

The NCWRC wants to raise awareness and generate compassion toward species that can sometimes be overlooked, and the new initiative has already generated a lot of interest.

“Makes me really excited for next year when we expand and kind of show people basically every inch of western North Carolina has something amazing to see,” Etchison said.