About Transylvania Always

When public land managers were inundated by heavy visitation to public lands in 2016, the Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority (TCTDA) reached out and asked, “How can we help?” From that simple question came a waterfall safety campaign, and the following year, the official Transylvania Always Committee was formed. Soon, the committee began funding projects and launched the “Leave It Better” sustainability initiative.

Outreach to and collaboration with local public land managers, like-minded non-profits, and other key entities have been the focus of the TCTDA since their sustainability efforts began over six years ago. The result is two important messaging campaigns and over $500,000 in grants that have funded myriad projects aimed at reducing the impact of human visitation and helping to encourage safe use at Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest, Gorges State Park, Headwaters State Forest, the French Broad River, and other natural public spaces. The Transylvania Always Committee’s initiatives and grants are fully funded and coordinated by the TCTDA. It is the TCTDA’s belief that our role is much bigger than promoting our incredible destination, but also is in helping protect it and ensure that it’s here for future generations.

Transylvania Always’ principal campaigns are “Be Waterfall Wise,” the waterfall safety initiative, and “Leave It Better,” a program modeled on the principles introduced by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Grants through the TCTDA Transylvania Always programs have funded initiatives for new trails, rebuilding and redesigning existing trails, signage, clean-up and sustainability-related, events, educational programs, master planning, and more. Organizations and other entities that have received funding grants include:

Mountain Sun Community School

Pisgah Area SORBA

Southern Highlands Reserve

The Lions Club

The Pisgah Conservancy

Transylvania County

Waterfall Keepers of NC

For non-profits in search of project funding, there are three paths that are detailed here. For questions,
please contact the TCTDA office at virginia.watkins@transylvaniacounty.org.

Waterfall Safety