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.

The New River Conservancy and New River State Park are working to reopen Elk Shoals to the public through a plan they are calling ReWilding Elk Shoals. A team from Appalachian State University's Appalachian Studies program participated in planting native trees in the flood plain at Elk Shoals on Sept. 20.