New River Conservancy 2020 Annual Report

Contact Info: New River Conservancy 1 North Jefferson Avenue, Suite D West Jefferson, NC 28694

Mailing Address: PO Box 1480 West Jefferson, NC 28694

Phone: (336) 846-6267 Fax: (336) 846-6433 Email: info@newriverconservancy.org web: newriverconservancy.org

Annual Report 2020

Lovers of the New,

On behalf of the New River Conservancy Staff and Board of Directors, we would like to start this letter off by expressing our deepest gratitude for all that you helped us to accomplish in a year that seemed to last a decade. We have always known we had rock stars in our watershed, but 2020 emphasized what we can accomplish when we come together as a community to protect the places and things we love.

While we had to cancel most of our 2020 in person events, with your help we were able to: Launch our Social Distancing Friendly, River Cleanup Program Team Clean Stream.

Bring the members of the New River Alliance back together after a decade.

Expand our River Builder Program into the New River Valley region in Virginia.

Continue our work to expand the New River State Park.

And we remain optimistic about what 2021 has to offer! With our President of 15 years, George Santucci, announcing his departure, we have begun the exciting process to search for NRC’s next Executive Director. However, this is not a loss for the New, but a gain for the headwaters as George is now the Sustainability and Special Projects Coordinator for the Town of Boone. In the meantime, George will stay on as Interim Executive Director until we find our next leader!

New River Conservancy also gained two new employees, Cathy Hanks, our New River Valley Program Coordinator, and Dave Bassage, our New River Gorge Program Coordinator, to be our boats in the river in Virginia and West Virginia, respectively.

Read on to learn more about a year in the life of New River Conservancy -1-

We protect the waters, woodlands, and wildlife of the New River Watershed.

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and Protection Land Protection Land Protection Land Protection Land Protection nd Protection Land Protection NRC’s creation was fueled by a grassroots effort to protect the land along the New. Completing our first conservation easement in 1993, we have since worked tirelessly to protect the waters, woodlands, and wildlife of the New River Watershed.

2020 taught us the importance of protecting the places we love.

A record number of people turned to the outdoors placing increased pressure on the land along the New. This motivated us to seek ways to ease the pressure on the land, while making it more accessible to visitors. In 2020, NRC purchased 20 acres in Kings Creek, NC and a new river access point off HWY 163 in Ashe County, NC.

Total Land Protection Expenses: $39,499.38 n Stewardship: 61% n Projects: 39%

39% 61%

Kings Creek parcel outlined in light blue.

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Expanding the New River State Park Birthed by the same fight against the dams, we naturally have a close relationship with the New River State Park. Together, we’ve been able to expand the New River State Park by adding 1,688 acres to the New River State Park, ensuring the land and an additional 45,140 feet of river and stream frontage will be permanently protected and open to the public for all to enjoy free of charge.

An important part of our journey with the New River State Park revolves around the late Ranger Doug Blatny, who passed away in early 2021. Ranger Doug Blatny was a tireless warrior for the natural world, a community educator, an explorer, and mostly, a very good friend. There is no way of knowing how many individuals Doug inspired over the years, but there’s no doubt that the world is in a much better place now than when he first began.

Pictured from left to right: Wayne Williams, George Santucci, and Ranger Doug Blatny on a River Cleanup celebrating Ranger Doug Blatny’s recent retirement.

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oration Restoration Restoration estoration Restoration Restoratio Restoration Restoration Re estoratistoration River Builder Despite COVID 19, River Builder had yet another productive year! 15 landowners signed up for planting 18,169 shrubs and trees planted along 2.2 miles of private land in the beginning of 2020 with another 25 interested landowners lined up for the start of the 2020-2021 winter planting season.

Though the banks look bare now, this landowner in Ashe County, NC will soon have a fully vegetated river buffer which will filter surface pollutants, keep the bank from eroding, shade the water to keep it cool, and provide food and habitat for native critters.

Do your banks look bare? Let us help shade your streams through our River Builder Program!

20% Learn more at newriverbuilder.org.

1%

79%

Graph: Restoration Expenses Graph

Total Restoration Expenses: $48,579.10 n Projects 79% n River Builder: 20% n Planning: 1%

Ashe County River Builder Participant Kings Creek parcel outlined in light blue

Restoration New River Conservancy, Friends of Peak Creek, Town of Pulaski, and US Army Corps of Engineers have come together to develop a Flood Mitigation Plan for the Town of Pulaski, Virginia. The plan outlines six recommended actions, which includes a stream restoration plan, that will collectively improve the health and function of Peak Creek which flows through the center of Town.

Known as the Peak Creek Flood Mitigation Task Force, this group will continue to meet regularly throughout the planning and implementation phases of this project. NRC is proud to empower communities, like Pulaski, through science and action!

This eroded bank leaves 8-foot high vertical walls of soil exposed and vulnerable to erosion.

Despite COVID 19, River Builder had yet another productive year!

15

LANDOWNERS

18,169

2.2

SHRUBS

MILES

-6-

25

INTERESTED

Meet Cathy Hanks New River Valley Coordinator Cathy Hanks, President of Friends of Peak Creek, is a native Virginian, outdoor enthusiast, and Certified Master Naturalist.

Cathy officially joined NRC as our New River Valley Program Coordinator and will be helping to coordinate our River Builder and Water Quality Monitoring programs in the New River Valley Region!

You can contact Cathy by email at cathy@newriverconservancy.org

8

VOLUNTEERS

162.5

10

HOURS

STREAMS

-7-

62

SAMPLES

ter Quality Water Quality Water WATER QUALITY Water Quality Water Quality Wat WaterWater Quality Quality Quality Water Q

NRWW Volunteer at a 2020 Training in Pulaski, VA

New River Water Watchers New River Water Watchers gives volunteers the opportunity to take action to protect their creeks and tributaries. Volunteers are trained or recertified annually, where they are taught to observe, collect, and report water quality data that is used to inform our projects and programs, as well as educate organizations and agencies that can influence policy.

In 2020, 8 volunteers collectively spent 162.5 hours monitoring 10 streams, in North Carolina and Virginia collecting 62 samples.

We also had the opportunity to train two new water quality monitors in Virginia who will begin monitoring in 2021.

Thank you to our 2020 New River Water Watchers John and Lucy Copeland, Hary Galer, Cathy Hanks, Suzanne Joyner, James McClure, Scot Pope, and Bob Popp.

Learn more about New River Water Watchers at newriverconservancy.org/nrww

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New River Clean Water Alliance In 2009 a group of stakeholders came together with the shared goal of improving water quality in the New River Gorge and its tributaries, out of this effort the NRCWA was born! The NRCWA has since worked to protect and sustain the river’s environmental, cultural, recreational, and economic benefits. And they are making progress!

Over a decade later the Alliance has reconvened. We are making progress!

In 2010 the Alliance published the State of the Watershed.

Piney Creek Watershed Association hired Corey Lilly as Executive Director.

NRC hired Dave Bassage as New River Gorge Program Coordinator.

The Town of Oak Hill upgraded their wastewater treatment plant to eliminate stormwater infiltration and incorporate flows from the closed Arbuckle Public Service District.

Oak Hill is now replacing failing sewer lines and manholes in the Minden area.

12% 9% 36%

43%

Total Water Quality Expenses: $38,110 n New River Clean Water Alliance: 36% n New River Water Watchers (NRWW): 43% n New River Symposium: 9% n North Carolina Aquatic Data Hub (NCADH): 12% -9-

Meet Dave Dave Bassage joined New River Conservancy in 2020 as our New River Gorge Program Coordinator. Dave has an extensive history in environmental policy, raft guiding, and tons of experience working for environmentally focused nonprofits and watershed groups. He will primarily be helping to facilitate the New River Clean Water Alliance as well as organizing West Virginia river cleanups… and pulling tires out of the River!

To contact Dave email dave@newriverconservancy.org

Visit newrivercleanwateralliance.org to learn more.

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er Cleanups River Cleanups Riv iver Cleanups River Cleanups R River Cleanups anups River Cleanups River Cle A typical River Cleanup Season at New River Conservancy involves dozens of river cleanups with hundreds of volunteers pulling thousands of pounds of trash and tires from the river throughout the watershed. The season would normally culminate in September with our biggest River Cleanup, Mud Sweat & Volunteers. We would also have several opportunities to team up with our partners to host challenges and events raising money for clean water, and to celebrate our volunteers with prizes and paddle trips.

Volunteers celebrated World Rivers Day by removing 57 tires, and 32 bags of trash from Brooks Falls, WV.

However 2020 looked a bit different. While we had to cancel most of our River Cleanups, we were still able to host 13 cleanups along 65 miles of River, removing 16,240 pounds of trash and 539 tires with the help of 114 volunteers.

13

CLEANUPS

65

16,240

MILES

POUNDS

29% 71%

Stone Mountain Trout Unlimited in Boone, keeping your fishing hole in the headwaters clean.

539

TIRES

114

VOLUNTEERS

Total River Cleanup Expenses: $35,995.16 n River Cleanups: 29% n Government Contracts: 71%

Over 40 volunteers collected trash from the lake bottom while the water behind Hawks Nest Dam was lowered.

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Team Clean Stream In 2020, we launched Team Clean Stream, our Social Distancing Friendly, River Cleanup program. Challenging George to clean a mile of River for every $100 raised for Team Clean Stream, you all raised over $2,800 to support our River Cleanup Program, ensuring George and the rest of the team would have quite a busy summer pulling tires out of the River!

Thank you to our 2020 Team Clean Stream Volunteers Dave Bassage, Friends of Peak Creek, Zack Benjamin, Bill Parker and Anna Ziegler, Melanie Seiler, Chelsea Blount, Jeanne Kirkpatrick, and Laura and Jim Green.

To learn more, visit www.newrivercleanups.org.

“Mike the Mud” O’Connor (Board Chair) helps River Boss, George Santucci with his 28 mile Team Clean Stream challenge!

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A Decade of Giving These River Warriors have given every year from 2010-2020: Michael and Catherine Aiken John and Betty Allison Chip and Judy Anderson Jo Ann Arey Robert and Aubrey Arrington BB&T Charitable Foundation John and Anne Barry Mary Lou Bednosky George Santucci and Annette Bednosky Richard and Nancy Belton Anne and Alex Bernhardt Carol Broderson Rodney and Martha Brown Lynn and Paul Caldwell Anne Caraway Ann Goette and Richard Claus Alison Huskey and Ida Maude Collins Arthur and Jean Cooper Doug Blackford and Martha Cutler Alexander Davidson Patricia Divine Ian and Jane Dunbar Suzanne Reynolds Elliot Joseph and Eileen Elrod

Barbara and Mike Gardner Laura and James Green Hardin and Janet Halsey Jonathan Halsey Charlotte Hanes Pamela Hoffman Laurie Holloway Brian Hyder Thomas and Miriam Ash Jones Henry and Dyeann Jordan Robert and Jane Lassiter Dixie and Mimi Leonard Elizabeth Gamble and Peter Lichstein Miriam Lovett Tom and Vicki Lumpkin John MacConnell Larry and Sandra McGee John and Connie McLendon Petsy Mezey Don and Sandra Mikush Robert Franklin and Cheryl Roberts Alton Franklin and Carolyn Sakowski Mike Horn and Fanny Stronach

Thank you to all of our dedicated supporters!

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2020 Supporters National River Society John and Betty Allison Chip and Judy Anderson Bill and Laura Barrier BB&T Charitable Foundation Blue Ridge Conservancy Beverly Cook Rufus and Linda Edmisten Rick and Kim Ehrhart Foggy Mountain Nursery Charlotte Hanes Larry and Sandra McGee Annie Pardue American Heritage River Society Laura and James Green Andrew and Pam Guion Donald and Mary Hart Cindy Hintz Mike Horn and Fanny Stronach Peter and Patricia Huber David and Patricia Jones Scott and Mary Jones Fred and Clare Jordan* Henry and Dyeann Jordan Dale and Linda Kerns Lifestore Community Fund Miriam Lovett Maryann Mueller and Diana Travis Mary Lily Nuckolls Michael and Elizabeth O’Connor Adam and Conie Ortiz George Santucci and Annette Bednosky Bill and Judy Scurry Nancy and Richard Sullivan Henry and Nancy Unger Wild and Scenic River Society Hanes and Lida Boren William and Mary Beth Bower Laura and Allan Burrows Lynn and Paul Caldwell Dee and Joel Carter Melanie Carter John and Faye Cooper Phil and Bennett Darnell Robert Elliot and Suzanne Reynolds Frank Gailor George and Rebecca Gilbert John and Kelly Gilmore

Christopher and Jane Glass Ann Goette and Richard Claus Hardin and Janet Halsey John F. and Stephanie Anderson Mitchel Family Fund Reed Lawson John R Mattox John McKinnon Don and Sandra Mikush Robert Orders Peak Farms Jorge and Paula Quintal Robert and Brigitte Rotche Gary and Katherine Roth Richard and Joyce Rouse Kathleen and Rocky Shiplett SkyLine SkyBest Andrew and Amanda Slade Joseph and Linda Slade * TJ Solomon Thomas Statnick James Tomberg and Pamela Groben Laura Walters and Jeff Arnold Outstanding Resource Waters Society Michael and Catherine Aiken Paul Angermeier Doug Blackford and Martha Cutler William and Ann Tyson Campbell Amelia and Jenny Wiley Compton John and Grace Curry Ellen and Steven Darden Patricia Divine Barbara and Mike Gardner Valerie Nicole Hague and Robert Bradley Staley Jonathan Halsey Jackie Hayter Nicole Hersch Bonnie and Gregg Marland Robert and Kathleen McCloskey Belinda Mitchell * Chris Nielsen and Marcia Borden Beth Obenshain and Fred Carlisle Joseph and Sharon Murphy Mary Louise Powell Michael and Antha Reid Jeff and Carol Thompson

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Catherine and Thomas Weaver Zaloo’s Canoes, Inc. Candy Darters David Ahrens * Chris Almerini Mary Lou Bednosky Richard and Nancy Belton Anne and Alex Bernhardt Julia Bishop Bill and Jan Blackburn Monnie and Frederick Blesse Blue Ridge Energy Karen Bobbitt David and Staci Braun John and Patricia Brown Carolina Canoe Club W. Donald Carroll Dan and Kathleen Clarke-Pearson Robin Cochran David and Darlene Cunningham Henry E. Dillon Joseph and Eileen Elrod Karen and Bill Fioramonti Alton Franklin and Carolyn Sakowski Front Porch Gallery Joseph Gillis and Silvia Lizama John Griffith and Alix Johnson Mona Hanlin * William R. and Cathy Hawkins Alan and Gloria Heath Cheryl and Rogers Heisey Mike and Margaret Jordan Gerhard and Karin Kalmus Mark and David Kellam Andrew Kilby Joyce Thompson Kilby Julian and Kristin Kirk Jonathan and Anne Kotch John and Debbie Kovacich Arnold and Rebecca Lakey Robert and Jane Lassiter Bonnie LeGrand Heather Lukacs John and Ellen Lumpkin Sue Osborne McBride Susan and Kevin McCarter Rob and Harriet Meinecke * Harold and Delores Mick Rob Mitchell * Stephen and Jane Motsinger Melissa Nunnink

George Ohrstrom Rodney L. Pace and Louise S. Law Kate and Jim Parks Radio Station WKSK RCH Mechanical Tech Solutions * Wade and Kathy Reece Traylor and Diana Renfro Pen Sandridge Llyn Sharp and Bob Miller Karen Sheets * Alex Shuford Todd and Inga Solberg Dick and Wardene Statham Nancy and Bob Sumner Arlene Edwards Thompson Ruel and David Tyson Virginia Vanstory Tracy and Jill Wagner Dewey Wells Wayne and Mary Williams Roger Winsor Jerry Withrow and Marcella McIntyre Philip Young and Becca White Anna Ziegler and Bill Parker * New River Shiners C. Spears and Joyce Alexander Julie S Alexander Michael and Helen Ruth Almond The Animal Hospital of Ashe Jo Ann Arey Mark and Karen Armentrout Zach Armentrout Aubrey Arrington John and Kyle Arrowood Denoe Ashby Ellis and Barbara Aycock Matt Bales Scott Ballard John and Anne Barry Nancy and Paul Bartlett Donald and Mary Bays Alec Bean * Lee and Colleen Beauchesne Shandon Benedict Jim and Karen Blaylock Angie and Michael Blount Chelsea Blount * Mark and Karen Bollinger Emilie Booker Francis and Kay Borkowski

Rennie and Lana Brantz David and Martha Branyon Cliff Brisson Carol Broderson Doug Brown Ezra and Tommie Brown John Bryan Laura Bullard Richard and Patricia Burgess Richard and Brooke Burr Dale and Becky Carlson David and Tammy Caldwell Tom and Caryle Carr Dickson and Rives Carroll Bill and Frances Casey Lawrence and Jean Caviness Louise Cherry Bill and Kathy Cissna Elizabeth Clark Roger Clark Claytor Lake Water Sports Austin and Tay Coan Kristan Cockerill and Andy Heckert Ida Maude Collins and Alison Huskey Contentment on the Cove Bed & Breakfast Arthur and Jean Cooper John and Lucy Copeland Anne Copenhaver Catherine Cotrupi Laura and John Cotterman Lonnie and Carol Coulter Faison Covington Virginia Cox Jeff and Janet Crook William and Buff Crothers Brian and Kathy Crutchfield Rose Dargan-Powers Paula Dinnerstein Mark and Paula Domske Jennifer Dotson Bobby and Connie S. Downes Melanie Dragan Ian and Jane Dunbar Paul and Jeanne Dunn Misty Dyke * Jane Edwards Eleanor Eldreth Laura England and Michael Madritch Richard Estes Ted Fillette and Ellen Holliday Gary Finkle Ron Foreman Robert Franklin and

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Cheryl Roberts Franklin and Betty Garland William and Joellyn Gibbons Marcia Herman-Gidden and Doug Berg Jeff Grass David and Sheryl Green Diane and Edward Green Joel and Kelly Greene Stephen Gurganus * Kerren Hall * James and Jane Hanes Jon and Suzanne Hanna * Gary Harmon R Norman and Nancy Harris David and Beth Harshman Anita Henderson Rhonda and Mike Herman Edward Hinson Henry and Jill Hobson Pamela Hoffman John and Dianne Holdsworth Laurie Holloway Sam and Andrea Honeycutt Greg and Maria Hopper Shirley Humbert Zachary Hunter Brian Hyder Geno and Karen Iannaccone Richard and Leslie Jamback David Jenkins Jeremiah Johnson Peter Johnson Steven and Cathy Johnson Thomas and Charlene Johnson Mark and Diane Johnston Harry Jones and Rosemary Julian Thomas and Miriam Ash-Jones Warren and Susan Jones Ron and Suzanne Joyner James and Alice Kelley Jeanne Kirkpatrick Carol Knapp Richard and Amelia Lane Alan and Deborah Leet Suzie and Randy Leslie Larry Levine Debbie Lineweaver and Jason Wilson Ron and Alice Linville John D and Mary Love Elisabeth and Peter Lovett Tom and Vicki Lumpkin

2020 Supporters Mike and Kari Lusk John MacConnell Michael Maloney Gene Maples Teresa Marshall Zack Marston Patricia Mauldin Charlie and Nancy Maus Chuck and Debbie May Bob and Susan McClanahan Evelyn McClary Lynn and Jim McClary James and Kerry Mcgrath Palmer and J.P. McIntyre John and Connie McLendon Becky McLeod Dick and Betty McPhatter Jimmie and Frank Melton Petsy Mezey Calvin and Katrina Miller Chris Miller David Miller Emily Morgan* Daniel and Beth C Mosca William Mullis Elizabeth Muraro Joy Murray David Neff Scott and Colette Nester Alan and Cathy Nichols Robert Nichols and Marilyn Butler Robert Nicholson David and Susan Nickell* Christian Nielson Bruno and Anna Niemitz Mildred Overman Tony Padgett Polly Padgette Joe and Angela Parrish Wendy and Todd Patoprsty Bob Pearson Bill and Carol Perdue Mark and Allyson Perlman Perry’s Gold Mine Laura Petche Mike and Kathy Phillips Mike Pinder Lynn and Hugh Rees-Jones Susanna Rehmann David and Deborah Rice Ann Roach William and Eliza Robertson Gregg and Lori Rogers Nora Rudd James Ruffing Ingrid and Gary Ruppalt Jim S. Susan and John Saad

Charlene and George Santucci James Sebastian Melanie Seiler Dennis Severt Sherry and Brian Shaw William and Linda Shawcross Bob Shepherd Daryl Siefert Joanne and James Smith Thomas and Linda Smith John and Jenny Spruill Sue and Bill Stiles Trenton Stover Claudia and Warren Stutzman Brooke Suiter Charles and Bonnie Supin Lillian and Nicholas Sutcliffe Chris Thaxton and Tonya Coffey Brian and Dianne Thomas* Bo Thompson Stephen Trail Bill and Jane Tucker John and Elizabeth Vuolo Jason Walls Fannie Watson and Virginia Dodd Joel and June Weaver Patrick and Niki Weir Matthew Wender Connie and Frank White Charlie Whittle and Betty Sutton* Paul and Jean Wilson* Peter and Mary Lou Wilson William and Marilyn Wood Sherry Wyatt Laura Yaeger Linda Yarnell* David and Karen Yolton Mary and Jerry Young Carl Zipper Kanowha Minnows Sandra Adams Jeremy Alder Ginny Andrews Ruth Jordan Ashe Alice Bales Les Bowen Brandi Bryant T and Lindley Butler Anne Caraway Casey & Company Forestry, PLLC Robert and Barbara Collier Harry and Suzie Corpening

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Cynthia and Kenneth Diehl Jean Elliott William and Gisela Feild Beverly Fleming Renee Fortner Nicholas Frankel Christine and Joe Franklin (Lowenstein) John Gaddy * Mary Lou Green Robert Green Dallas and Margaret Greer Lynn Gregory Melissa Gregory George and Joanne Habrecht Elsie Hall David and Sherry Hoffman Romer Howell Missy Jacobs Ginger and Dan Jones Stephen Kouba Richard and Glenda Lance Dixie and Mimi Leonard Michael and Barbara Linker Jeff and Rose Martin Jill Masten-Byers Joe and Pamela Mickey Junior Miller David and Durand Newton New River Trips LLC Frances O’Banion Paul and Leslie Perlik Sarah and Dean Phillips William and Sandra Pile Fran Powers Alan Louis Raflo Ruth Renfro Brad and Gwen Rich Dianne Roberge Ronald and Shari Rognstad Betty Ruffin Bill Scott Bill and Judy Scott Elizabeth Seagle Richard and Mary Shaw Larry Skipper Mike Smith Steven and Barbara Tedder Brittney Tessar Jackie Maurice and Pamela Thomas Jim and Alicia Toomey United Techologies Mary and Alfred Van Huyck Kim Wartluft Eve and Jeffrey West Kay Wilson Doug and Linda Worsham Max and Catherine Yates * Monthly Supporters

Financials Expenses 5%

6%

89%

Total Expenses: $669.541 n Administration: 5% n Fundraising: 6% n Programs: 89%

Revenue

Program Expenses 6%

25%

1%

48%

6% 7%

81%

26%

Total Revenue: $759,851 n Government Grants: 48% n Foundation Grants: 1% n Program Revenue: 26% n Individual/Corp Income: 25%

Total Program Expenses: $599,354 n Land Protection: 7% n Restoration: 81% n Water Quality: 6% n River Cleanups: 6% - 18 -