Hartwell Carson has worked to protect the French Broad River for the past 11 years. He was the first responder to Asheville’s coal ash pollution, protecting the river and community by forcing Duke Energy to clean up and close down its coal-burning power plant. Hartwell also implemented the French Broad River Paddle Trail by building new campsites and access points which link over 140 miles of the French Broad River. As French Broad Riverkeeper, he has published a paddle trail map, book, app, and online guide, trained hundreds of volunteers to monitor and report sediment pollution, created the swim guide to spread awareness of and clean up bacteria pollution, repaired over 10 miles of failing dirt roads along trout streams, initiated the cleanup of several polluting dairy farms, implemented over two miles of stream restoration projects, and ensured regulations are adequate and enforced to meet Clean Water Act standards. Hartwell graduated from the University of Georgia and earned his master’s degree from the University of Montana, where he examined the social and ecological impacts on the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.