While many of us may not have paid much attention in biology class, Heather Rayburn sure did. That education and her love of nature led her to establish the nonprofit group Mountain Voices Alliance (MVA), an organization based in Asheville calling for sustainable development in our region, with other eco- and civic-minded individuals. She is currently a full-time volunteer at MVA and proud of the group's recent involvement in preventing an oil-burning power plant in Woodfin, NC. But, her work doesn't end with one success. Now, she's grappling with pro-development and pro-sprawl approaches at the local and regional level and keeping focused on larger-scale issues like global warming and overpopulation.

What is your motto?
Get off your flapjacks and make something happen.

Where is your favorite local spot to unwind?
Laurey's on Biltmore Avenue.

When are you the happiest?
When I'm with my friends, and when I'm getting dog kisses from Rocket, my Jack Russell.

What or who makes you laugh?
Ricky Gervais from the British comedy The Office and the actor Jack Black. I also have the funniest friends in the world. They keep me out of the nuthouse.Before I die I'd like to...
...win the World Series of Poker!

What has been your favorite journey so far?
Being married to an optimist would rank at the top.

What will be your next journey or project?
I'm just taking it day by day.

Who is/are your hero/heroes?
All the people who care enough about our area to sit through public meetings on their free time and comment in favor of responsible policy that controls growth. We can see that we're standing in front of a freight train, but we're still kickin'.

For more information about Mountain Voices Alliance, including how you can participate in their efforts, visit them on the web at http://www.mvalliance.net or email info@mvalliance.net.

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