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Protecting the waters, woodlands and wildlife of the New River Watershed
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New River Conservancy Awarded $500,000 ARISE Grant
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| The New River Conservancy (NRC) has been awarded $500,000 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to create an action plan for improvements and expansions to the New River Water Trail in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. This project, developed in partnership with communities across the region, is designed to increase sustainable tourism, improve river infrastructure, and enhance visitor experiences throughout river-adjacent communities. The New River Action Plan aims to significantly advance regional outdoor economies by creating a multi-state water trail that stretches over 200 miles. Involving 20 counties, the plan will include a comprehensive river inventory, a branding strategy, best practices for maintenance, and shovel-ready design plans to create a single standard for river access across several types of facilities.
Andrew Downs, Executive Director of the New River Conservancy states: “In the wake of Hurricane Helene, it is critical to invest in the New River and the communities that rely on it. River-based recreation has always been an economic engine for North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Now, the NRC and our broad partnership look to super-charge the New River’s value and protection by connecting one of the longest, most scenic and most exciting water trails in the Country. This support from ARC, along with future public and private investment will allow the New River to be a centerpiece in the recovery of our region.”
Story continues HERE |
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| The 3-State New River Water Trail would include Bluestone Lake, which is formed at the confluence of the New River and the Bluestone River. Photo by Underwood Geographics. |
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| NRC Helene Response Plan
Our communities rely on the river.
The role of the New River Conservancy is to restore the river and ensure it’s critical role as a support system for local economies and livelihoods remains viable. Consider direct to business donations that support the livelihoods most impacted by Helene.
Everyone must do more.
Shopkeepers stepped up to organize rescues and restaurant owners passed out supplies instead of repairing their restaurants. Everyone must rise to the occasion and the New River Conservancy is no different. We’re preparing to expand our volunteer clean-up and restoration efforts to address the scale of impact. View upcoming clean ups in your area.
Preparing for long-term recovery.
Building back, and continuing to protect the river and build better river-based recreation resources will be a long process led by town, county, and state governments. The New River Conservancy must effectively support these efforts so communities of the New River have the maximum access to resources. We’re starting the New River Community Action Fund to provide our small-government partners with a cash match to improve their ability to pursue recovery and restoration grants that directly address impacts to public parks.
Give to the greatest need.
Helene has created a dynamic recovery situation. Support the New River Conservancy’s ability to adapt to challenges by giving to the greatest need. |
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| Kayak stuck in a tree some 20′ above the New River has become a symbol of resiliency and hope. Photo by RiverGirl Fishing Co. |
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| Restoring the river banks
By Joe Johnson
Director of Operations and Projects
The flood event the High Country experienced with Hurricane Helene has left many landowners asking questions about what to do with their river, stream and creek banks. While we need to focus on trash and debris removal in the short term, it would be beneficial to the New River to start thinking about restoration activities that improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and property values. The most common concern landowners have communicated to the New River Conservancy is the loss of property due to significant bank erosion that occurred during the recent flooding (Photo 1 below). This “accelerated erosion” is a result of many factors that include present and historical land use, climate change driven flood events, and the physical shape of the stream channel. While there is no single solution for reducing bank erosion, there are cost effective techniques that can be used in conjunction that help prevent it from occurring.
Many people understand the importance of native trees and shrubs for wildlife and mental health, but some are unaware of the importance these organisms have for preventing erosion. Planting trees and shrubs next to a stream or river will allow for the root systems to “armor” the bank which will help hold the bank in place during normal flooding.
Story continues HERE |
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| River bank shows accelerated erosion due to high volumes of water during Helene. Photo by Joe Johnson |
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| Happy 49th Birthday New River Conservancy!
A small birthday party/meet and greet, held at the home of Sarah Jane Stewart & Bob West on October 26, gathered together new and also early supporters of the New River Conservancy. Executive Director, Andrew Downs, relays the Helene Response Plan. |
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| Upcoming November Clean Ups
** Waders are desperately needed for clean ups. You can donate in two ways. Send us waders or funds to purchase. Please donate on our website and make a note in the comments when you do: DONATE |
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| Big Horse Creek, Lansing, NC
November 8, 2024
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
New River Conservancy is proud to partner with Keep Ashe Beautiful (KAB) for a Big Horse Creek Clean Up on Friday, November 8th.
The mission is to clean up as much of Big Horse Creek as possible. We will be joined by volunteers coming up from Raleigh with the
North Carolina Land & Water Fund who are eager to help.
Grab your waders and meet in the Creeper Trail Park by the barn at 9:00 am on the 8th. Trash bags, gloves, grabbers etc. will be provided.
Even if you can just spare an hour or two, your help is needed to clean out the unprecedented amount of “stuff” in the creek! |
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| South Fork of the New, Todd, NC
November 9, 2024
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
New River Conservancy is proud to partner with Blue Ridge Trout Unlimited, RiverGirl Fishing Co., Watauga River Keeper and New River State Park for a South Fork of the New River Clean Up. We will meet at RiverGirl Fishing Co in Todd, NC. on Saturday, November 9 at 9:30 am.
We will be cleaning the South Fork from Green Valley Park to Todd. This stretch of river has a lot of trash in the river (and trees) but not the floodplain due to the amazing work of the Todd community.
We will provide trash bags, gloves, tire pullers and trash grabbers.
Please bring waders, food, and water, and layer in warm clothes
Please register HERE |
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| ** If you need heavy machinery to get your river/ stream banks cleaned, please contact Joe Johnson in order to get your information logged. We will be able to direct resources when they come. ** |
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| You are invited to our Meet & Greet events. Join us! |
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| Meet & Greet at
The Inn at Foster Falls,
Max Meadows, VA
November 15, 2024
3:00 – 4:30 pm
We are taking our new Executive Director, Andrew Downs, on the road throughout the New River watershed for several Meet & Greet events.
Come by and meet Andrew, plus some of our staff and board members at the beautifully restored Inn at Foster Falls, located within the heart of the New River Trail State Park. The Inn has recently been honored with a 2024 Virginia Historic Preservation Award.
Originally built in the late 19th century, the inn opened in 1888 as the Foster Falls Hotel. Over the next 30 years, it served as a post office, meeting hall, commissary and boarding house, an industrial school in 1919 and a children’s home in 1938.
Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.
Directions HERE
Please RSVP to Lisa Stansell – Galitz HERE |
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| Meet & Greet at
Canyon Rim Visitors Center, Lansing, WV
November 22, 2024
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Continuing our tour of the watershed with Andrew Downs, we will be hosting an after hours Meet & Greet at the Canyon Rim Visitors Center in Lansing, WV.
Come by and meet Andrew, plus some of our staff and board members at this iconic spot in the New River Gorge National Park.
The back deck of the center offers a two-mile view southward into the park. A short boardwalk descends into the gorge to two observation decks which offer unobstructed views of the longest steel arch span in the western hemisphere and the mile wide gorge it spans. A fully accessible ramp provides access to the upper observation deck.
Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.
Directions HERE
Please RSVP to Lisa Stansell – Galitz HERE |
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Just in time for holiday giving!
New merchandise on the website includes vintage-style decals and bumper stickers. Check HERE
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| New River Conservancy participates in
Virginia Tech Science Festival
New River Conservancy was happy to participate in the Virginia Tech Science Festival on Saturday, November 2 to teach kids of all ages about stream analysis, water quality, how to protect our watershed, and how to teach others to do the same. The goal was to inspire our youth to take a more personal interest in the health of the creeks, streams, and rivers that surround them in the New River Watershed and inspire them to become Citizen Scientists, people who collect info that helps scientists do research.
Water Quality Manager, John Copeland & Marketing Director, Lisa Stansell – Galitz spoke to hundreds of visitors, including over 75 young people who were interested in our water quality monitoring and were able to test water from the New River on site. We can teach our children to become stewards of the waters, woodlands and wildlife. We can teach our children to work towards a healthy and clean New River so that the grandchildren of their grandchildren have a watershed they can play and live in. |
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