In the Media

The onset of North Carolina's famously vibrant fall colors has been delayed by an unseasonably hot start to fall and drought conditions. But Howard Neufeld, a biologist at Appalachian State University known as the "Fall Color Guy," says there's still a good chance for rich color this year – especially since cooler weather has begun.

Visions of daylighting Boone Creek along Rivers Street are progressing into plans, and Appalachian State University, town of Boone and New River Conservancy representatives say the project could alleviate frequent flooding in the area.

In this travel piece on the local area, the New York Times calls Appalachian State University “the source of Boone’s youthful energy.”

Around this time of year when the color starts to change in the trees, we pay attention. Most of us watch the leaves turn in real time. Others work to skip ahead, to predict when exactly we’ll see our fall colors, how vividly, and how long. One such person is Dr. Howard Neufeld, a professor of biology at Appalachian State University. Better known by the public as the Fall Color Guy, he monitors the weather, temperature, and color activity here in the mountains, and makes predictions accordingly.

Cuba is no longer the Americas’ lonely outpost of communism. The Caribbean island has become a nation of entrepreneurship, democratic aspiration, even pro-Americanism, according to Dr. Joseph J. Gonzalez, associate professor in Appalachian’s Department of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Online shopping giant Amazon revealed a carbon footprint Thursday that rivals that of a small country and vowed to reduce the damage to the planet by cutting its use of fossil fuels. "Its greenhouse gas emissions are about 85% of the emissions of Switzerland or Denmark," said Gregg Marland, a professor at the Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics at Appalachian State University.

Before you head out leaf-peeping this fall, know what colors to expect at 22 of our favorite mountain spots in Western North Carolina. Among the experts that contributed to this guide is Dr. Howard S. Neufeld, a professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Biology.

During the past five to six years, faculty and students at Appalachian State University have researched and developed different technologies to help local farmers extend their crop’s growing season. The research project — named Nexus — is located at the Watauga County Landfill and is used as a biomass and renewable energy testing location.

Appalachian State University’s second annual Founders Day was celebrated on Sept. 5 with the dedication of the Lillie Shull Dougherty statue, the ringing of the Founder’s Bell and a panel discussion featuring a former chancellor and former interim chancellor of Appalachian State University.