State of the Watershed 2022

State of the Watershed 2022

To protect the waters, woodlands, & wildlife of the New River Watershed.

From our Director Dear friends, “For the New.” Everything we do, is for the New. Environmental.

Cultural. Land. Water. Wildlife.

It is an honor to work for an organization protecting one of America’s finest gems, and the oldest river on our continent: our New River. And what makes New River Conservancy a unique organization is that all our programs and activities are directed to one interest: preserving and protecting the waters, woodlands and wildlife of our old friend, The New River.

Environmentally our restoration programs have expanded our signature “River Builder” program. This provides streambank restoration to private and public lands, and is now in both North Carolina and Virginia. We lift up our rich culture celebrating those river legends who fought against the building of a dam, and in doing so saved the New River, and founded our organization with the origin name of the National Committee for the New River. Because of support from The Old Store at Grassy Creek, we now have an annual event “Saved by a Salamander” to celebrate our history and educate citizens to create a better future.

Our water quality analysis has expanded – nearly tripled the number of volunteers – and created an interactive map of data visualization for our work in West Virginia. With your support, we can expand this map of our river and tributaries throughout Virginia and North Carolina. Our wildlife maintains healthy habitats because of our work. And we have a new mascot: Stella Salamander.

Because of our generous donors, last year we acquired a forest, a river and a park.

We bought a forest.

With the support from generous donors, we raised nearly 1 million dollars and purchased 174 acres, now called the New River Hill Forest, in Grayson County (VA) ensuring that land with 2530 linear feet of riverfront is permanently protected. Working with legal support, input from our donors and advice from our Land Protection Committee, we agreed on a shared covenant of restrictions and then donated the land to New River Soil and Water Conservation district, who will maintain the land and work with the public to enjoy… forever!

We bought a mountain.

Again, generous donors stepped up to ensure the views of our watershed are protected. Adjacent to New River State Park (NRSP) Wagoner Road Access Area, we purchased 107 acres East Peak Mountain. This property extends the footprint of NRSP Wagoner Road Access Area.

With your support future projects may include a river-to-peak trail with up to seven miles of hiking, backpacking campsites, bear-proof lockers, and picnic tables.

We were given land, and built a park.

Through the generosity of two donors, we were given land, then received several grants and more support from donors to create a New River access park on Rt 163 in West Jefferson. Opening this summer, the park includes public beaches, parking lot, information kiosk and picnic shelter. Paddlers will now be able to traverse the New River from this location and takeout at New River State Park - Elk Shoals, 5 miles downriver.

Our staff has grown and this team continues to produce incredible work. We are a strong team – and we operate using our Staff Creed as our shared values. Our board of directors provides leadership and enthusiasm to help us accomplish our goals. We now have a Government Alliance Task Force that meets monthly over zoom, bringing collaborators together from towns, counties, cities and foundations. The river brings people together. And the New River attracts some of the most amazing people on this planet!

Policy advocacy has become a prominent function. This year I spent time at the North Carolina legislature and, and on Capitol Hill I had visits with Members and Staffers from each of our 3 states. With your support, we can continue the passion of Wallace Caroll and continue making trips to all state capitals.

Two years into this role, my husband Kristian and I have paddled a significant mileage of the New River in all three states, and our goal of all 320 miles is well underway. I hope to see you on the river.

For the New, Elizabeth S. Underwood, Ph.D. Executive Director

Water Quality West Virginia With a grant from American Water, the New River Clean Water Alliance has completed the interactive water quality map for the Lower New River Watershed. The map shows an annual look at water samples tested for the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) and fecal coliform, both of which indicate whether water quality is safe for water-contact recreation.

Click on the QR code to view.

Virginia At the end of 2022, we have active Water Watchers in North Carolina and Virginia.

During the month of October, all volunteers are being recertified for their task in keeping with the New River Conservancy’s Quality Assurance Project Plan.

Click the QR code to find out more.

North Carolina We continue to grow our corps of Water Watchers in North Carolina. Equipment and supplies for the first year’s monitoring are $500.

At this time, New River Conservancy does not have funding for this. If you would like to sponsor, in full or in part, click on the QR code and use “Apply my gift to Water Watcher”

Restoration & Land Stewardship North Carolina We have been working with the New River State Park and Ashe County, NC to help improve access to recreation in our watershed, one access at a time. Because of generous donors, Elk Shoals is now completed, and a new access park upstream will finish completion in 2023.

These projects stabilized and restored the riverbanks and riparian buffer of the South Fork of the New River.

Virginia With our partners, New River Conservancy hosted volunteer events to plant 6,400 native trees and shrubs along Stroubles Creek at Virginia Tech as part of the Big Plant in February 2023.

Stroubles Creek is a federally listed ‘impaired waterway.’

One of the top stressors leading to the impairment is a lack of native riparian buffers.

West Virginia

We continue to monitor our 3 conservation easements and are increasing our activities in West Virginia. We currently have 6 active grants to help us in our work: Hydroflask supports reduction in single use plastics Department of Environmental Protection helps river cleanups American Water goes towards our interactive map National Park Service supports Clean Water Alliance WVDEP AGO towards green infrastructure education Stream Partners for our work on water quality

River Cleanups West Virginia In West Virginia, we organized 11 clean up events and cleaned 53.5 miles of riverbank.

With 122 volunteers, we pulled 20,500 pounds of trash & 311 tires from the New River Watershed.

Virginia In Virginia, we organized 3 clean up events and cleaned 5 miles of riverbank.

With 40 volunteers, we pulled 2,400 pounds of trash & 53 tires from the New River Watershed.

North Carolina

Stella Salamander says “Thank you for your help!”

In North Carolina, we organized 4 clean up events and cleaned 10 miles of riverbank.

With 21 volunteers, we pulled 1,400 pounds of trash & 11 tires from the New River Watershed.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

- Margaret Mead

Friend of the Valley Award On October 27, 2022, the New River Valley Regional Commission board of directors, comprised of elected officials and citizen appointees across the region honored their annual award recipients. Approximately 100 local government elected officials, state and federal representatives, and local government planning commission chairs were in attendance.

The New River Conservancy received the Friend of the Valley award. This award is given to an individual or organization outside of the New River Valley that has made significant contributions to the betterment of the region.

The New River Conservancy has long been a partner assisting communities and nonprofits with water quality initiatives in the New River watershed. Bringing a high-level of technical capacity to projects including our Water Watchers water quality monitoring program and stream restoration efforts such as those in partnership with Friends of Peak Creek and Pulaski County. Our technical expertise and passion for water quality is truly making a difference in the watershed.

Each award recipient was provided a framed print by the local artist Matt Gentry featuring landscapes from the New River Valley.

We will be proud to hang this print in our new office in Draper, Virginia.

Edmund Ivan Adams Legacy Society By making a planned gift to the Edmund Ivan Adams Legacy Society, you, too, can play an important role in protecting and preserving this significant natural resource. Your gift will support the Conservancy in our work to safeguard the waters, woodlands, and wildlife of the New River watershed.

In 1970, Ed moved his young law practice to Sparta, NC, and began representing Ashe, Alleghany, and Grayson Counties in opposition to the Blue Ridge Project — twin hydroelectric dams that would have inundated more than 50,000 acres of the best farmland along the New River. Ed became devoted to the “dam project,” understanding its irrevocable impact on the economy, culture, and ecology of this remarkable landscape.

Ed and his allies prevailed and in 1976 Ed was present in the Rose Garden when President Gerald Ford signed the Bill designating the 26.5-mile segment of the New River as part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers system, halting the dam project.

In honor of his service, in 2008. Ed became the first recipient of the Wallace and Peggy Carroll Vigilance Award. Ed was a founder of the National Committee for the New River — now the New River Conservancy — with stints as Director and President. Over the years, he donated countless hours of pro bono work to the organization, establishing land trusts and other protections for property along the river.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Ed was named for the political theorist Edmund Burke, whose famous quote adorned his office desk.

Want to make a difference?

This is your opportunity to create your own legacy and ensure our conservation work continues for future generations.

Here’s how: Bequest or Will: Designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or a specific asset such as stock or real estate in your will or final directives.

Life Income Gifts: Charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts are examples of a life income gift and generally reduce or eliminate certain taxes and guarantee an income for life.

Life Insurance: Designate New River Conservancy as owner and beneficiary of an existing policy you no longer need or purchase a new policy and designate New River Conservancy as beneficiary.

Your gift will enable us to:

Share and Foster Research Inspire & Educate Purchase a Forest, a Mountain or a Park Protect and Restore the New River Watershed Join the Edmund Ivan Adams Legacy Society Reach out to: New River Conservancy PO Box 1480, West Jefferson, NC 28694 Phone: 336-846-6267 Email: info@newriverconservancy.org Web: newriverconservancy.org

Directly Donate here

Board of Directors The Board of Directors share the mission and goals of New River Conservancy - to preserve and protect the waters, woodlands, and wildlife of the New River Watershed. They are our ambassadors who provide governance, leadership and strategic direction for our organization. We could not do our work if they did not do theirs.

We are grateful for their service and passion for the New River.

Mike O’Connor Chair, Board of Directors After a 24-year career in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps retiring as a Captain with assignments around the globe, Mike spent 12 years at Appalachian State University as the head of campus facilities where he helped the University garner national recognition as a leader in sustainability. Mike is a registered Professional Engineer in North Carolina and California. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast and loves skiing, cycling, hiking, and spending time on the New River.

Catherine Catrupi, Ph.D. Chair-elect, Board of Directors Catherine has lived in Virginia for most of her life. She moved to the New River Valley in 2009 and she and her wife now live in Radford, a 5-minute drive to the they enjoy kayaking, swimming, and boating with their dog, Hugo. Catherine worked for Virginia Tech for 10 years before recently leaving to complete a PhD in Higher Education.

Laura Waters Past-chair, Board of Directors Laura was born and raised in Galax and has lived in some part of Southwest Virginia all her life. She is currently serving NRC on 3rd term. Under Laura’s leadership as Chair, NRC became a “Three-State Organization”for the first time ever. Laura believes in giving back, having always done volunteer work. Laura serves as Chair of Pulaski County Board of Supervisors and numerous State and local Boards and organizations, including Friends of Claytor Lake and Friends of Peak Creek.

Board of Directors

Zach Armentrout

Jennifer Baker

Rick Ehrhart

Charlee Fox

Nicole Hersch

Mike Horn

Pete Huber

Jorge Quintal

Melanie Seiler

Matt Wender

Our Committees: Government Alliance Task Force Financial Oversight Committee Land Protection Committee Leadership Development Committee Technical Advisory Committee Resource Development Committee

JOIN US Opportunities abound for passionate and talented people to volunteer at an event or on a committe for the New River Conservancy. Bring your unique skills and gifts to us.

Together we can make changes for generations to come. Scan the QR code to seend a letter of interest and get started.

Donate

Email: info@newriverconservancy.org Web: newriverconservancy.com

Phone (336) 846-6267 Fax (336) 846-6433

Mailing Address PO Box 1480 West Jefferson, NC 28694

New River Conservancy 8c S Jefferson Ave, West Jefferson, NC 28694

Contact Info:

We are fortunate to have wonderful photographers who share their work with the New River Conservancy. We acknowledge and thank them.

Cover photo: Diamond Point in the New River Gorge, WV. Jay Young Pages2-3: McCoy Falls, VA. Jeremy Rife Pages 7-8: The New River in Summer. VA. Randy Leagan

New River Conservancy PO Box 1480 West Jefferson, NC 28694