On paper, WCU is among the top universities in the nation in terms of participation in various green initiatives, but the students say we can do more. WCU recently placed in The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges. The review points out a specific initiative, “Reducing Our Carbon Paw Print,” which was designed to help […]
Mosquitoes in WNC can infect community
Mosquitoes are one of the most common pests in Western North Carolina, but they bring a greater risk than itchy bites. Western Carolina University environmental health professor and public health biologist Brian Byrd has a passion for insects, particularly mosquitoes. Though he has also worked with tics and mites, Byrd specializes in mosquito-borne diseases […]
Local trees dying under insect-spread disease
Western North Carolina is home to multiple national forests, which see thousands of visitors every year. The forests are popular destinations for students looking to hike, camp or just enjoy the views the mountains have to offer. Over the years, some of our most beloved trees in these forests have begun to die under the […]






