Bert Raccoon climbs Evergreen Mountain in order to prove to Melissa and Ralph that he can do something on his own. Meanwhile, Cyril Sneer plans to stop Bert in order to keep a dark family secret hidden.

Cyril Sneer and Mammoth Motors plan to create a car factory in the Evergreen Forest, possibly ruining the beauty of the forest forever. In order to save it, Bert and his friends create a solar-powered car to race against Cyril's own Sneermobile.

Because he feels that his father doesn't appreciate him, Cedric Sneer runs away from home and lives with his friends, the Raccoons. Meanwhile, the human children Julie and Tommy run away from home as well, but get lost in the forest.

Dan the Forest Ranger is offered a job in the city, and has to choose the best life for his children. Ralph is offered the post of Editor of a paper, and makes ready to leave the Forest. However, Cyril Sneer needs putting in his place, and the first issue of the Evergreen Standard is printed.

Also Bert gets sick when Ralph and Melissa plan to leave.

There is gold in the Emerald [Evergreen] Forest and Cyril Sneer wants it.

The Mammoth Mudheads come to the Evergreen Forest. Bert and Cedric compete for a place on the team, putting a strain on both their friendship, and ultimately their chances of winning.

Cyril panics when he learns that a former business partner Karl Snarl - whom he walked out on years before - is going "to give him what he deserves" and steps up security at Sneer Mansion. When Bert and Cedric become trapped on a rapidly narrowing ledge, Melissa has to overcome her fear of heights in order to rescue them by helicopter. Also Melissa fights her fear of flying to save Bert and Cedric.

Ralph's bookish young cousin Bentley Raccoon discovers how to have fun the Bert Raccoon way when he competes against Cyril Sneer in the Evergreen Forest Games. Bentley learns that you don't have to win to be a winner.

Cyril is ill with a cold and, when the Pigs overhear the doctor on the phone about his clapped-out old car, they think he is talking about Cyril. Believing Cyril only has a few days to live and with Cedric at accounting camp, the Raccoons resolve to do whatever they can to make Cyril's remaining time his best. When Cyril learns the truth, he keeps up the pretence so that the Raccoons will spend the money they had earmarked for a new printing press on a memorial for him and force the Evergreen Standard out of business. However, he has reckoned without the Raccoons' choice of memorial . . .

Determined to have at least one competent individual in his household, Cyril sends Cedric to get some assertiveness training. But, when Cedric returns, it becomes clear that he has learned his lesson a little too well . . .

An unepected visitor arrives at Sneer mansion, claiming to be Cyril's long lost brother, Simon. Cyril is not convinced, and Bert sets out to discover the truth with a bit of detective work.