Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Rivers and Bugs --oh my!

Everyone is invited attend the first “Rivers and Bugs Summit” on March 13 at Moral Hill Baptist Church in Axton, Virginia (just barely east of Martinsville city limits.) The $5 registration includes: light breakfast, a catered lunch by Governor, Gwendolyn & Christine Catering, and free raffle tickets for prizes such as fishing gear, a fly-fishing lesson with Brian Williams, and DRBA canvas tote bag filled with goodies.

There is something for everyone at the summit! Speakers and session leaders include: a panel discussion with a diverse group of local church and temple leaders who are spearheading various faith-based responses to environmental issues. The panel will be moderated by Linda Drage, President, Friends of Philpott.

Minnie Moore, an educator in Patrick County, will lead a session on her work with school children and organic gardening. She started an organic garden on four blighted city lots in St. Louis during her decades-long tenure at an inner city school. Most recently, she established an organic garden with students at Patrick Springs Elementary School.

Jenny Hochstein, Director of the Halifax Improvement Council and co-owner of Pick-A-Pine, will illustrate the sustainable practices she employs on her Christmas tree farm. She will discuss the challenges and opportunities to expand sustainable living practices in Southern Virginia that reduce costs and protect water quality and wildlife habitat.

Lynn Pritchett, Master Naturalist, will introduce participants to the fundamentals of the Global Positioning Systems. This is a great session for anyone who has been curious about how GPS works, what it can do for you, and how to use it—but have been too afraid to ask.

Mary Lawson, Biologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will discuss Aldo Leopold’s moral and philosophical reasons for a harmonious relationship with the natural world and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ changing attitudes toward environmental stewardship.

Wayne Kirkpatrick, DRBA President is known across the basin for his famous “Tub O’ Bugs” exhibit that introduces people of all ages to the wonders of the macro-invertebrate life in the creeks. For the first time, Wayne is leading a session on how to build your own Tub O‘Bugs for your festivals, classrooms, library programs—anywhere you want to thrill people with hands on experience with the bug life that sustains our river ecology.

Marty Bullins, Master Naturalist, will demonstrate his unique "Recycle Derby game—how he build it and how he educates watershed dwellers (that‘s all of us) on the what, when and how of recycling.

Jenny Edwards, DRBA staff, will demonstrate the “Bottle Bloom” project that engages youth in learning about watersheds and the environmental impact of litter by creating art from recycled plastic bottles. To date, more than 250 children have contributed to the bottle bloom project.

The Rivers and Bugs Summit begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 2:00 p.m. on March 13 at Moral Hill Baptist Church at 50 Moral Hill Drive in Axton, Virginia. In order to give all the participants a high quality experience and a chance to fully engage in the sessions, registration is limited. “We encourage anyone interested in environmental education or healthy rivers to come out,” says Jenny Edwards, DRBA staff.

Contact Regenia Manns at (276) 634-2591 or rmanns@danriver.org or Jenny Edwards at (276) 340-2462 or jedwards@danriver.org to reserve space.

Teachers and students are eligible to have the registration fee waived, but still need to reserve a space. Registration deadline is March 11, and everyone is encouraged to register early.

The event is made possible with support from the Virginia Environmental Endowment, The Harvest Foundation, Moral Hill Baptist Church, and DRBA members.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

DRBA's Annual Celebration, 9:30 on Saturday, March 6 in Historic Caswell Courthouse


DRBA's Annual Membership Celebration will be held at 9:30 on Saturday, March 6 in the historic Caswell County Courthouse in Yanceyville, NC. After refreshments and time to view displays, the short business session will include recognition of exceptional volunteer service, election of board members, and reports from DRBA's staff on activities in Virginia and North Carolina. 


Featured speaker is "William Clark" of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, as portrayed by Craig (Rocky) Rockwell of Bassett, VA. For over a decade Rockwell, Operations Project Manager at Philpott Reservoir, has depicted William Clark, who became a brigadier general and played a major role in shaping the young United States in the early nineteenth century. Among the audiences for his portrayal has been the U. S. Congress in the nation's Capitol Building.

The setting for the celebration is the beautifully restored 19th century courthouse, completed in 1861 and described as one of the finest Victorian courthouses in NC. The building combines Italian Renaissance and Classical Revival features, including an arcade with pilasters whose capitals depict ears of corn and tobacco leaves.

Following the meeting and lunch at a local restaurant of the participant's choosing, two choices will offer introductions to DRBA's Caswell Heritage Trails project. One option is a moderate to strenuous hike on a proposed trail connecting Dillard Middle School and Sunvale Apartments, led by Forrest Altman. According to Altman, "This route along a sewer easement is very scenic, through deciduous forest, with views of a pretty creek. It has significant changes in elevation and will require less than an hour to hike--if the group is small and everyone is in good shape." 




For those who prefer a less challenging afternoon, Chad Hall will guide a stroll on the project's first pilot trail, the Stream Walk Trail at the Caswell Senior Center. "We'll conclude this walk with a look at the proposed mountain biking trail nearby," he adds.

Participants in either walk are asked to wear hiking boots or walking shoes, dress in layers, and bring water to drink.

Directions: The courthouse is located at 144 Courthouse Square, Yanceyville, NC (36°24'11" N   79°20'10" W). The square in front of the Courthouse functions as a one-way counter-clockwise traffic circle, making all left turns. Parking is located on-street on the Courthouse side of the square, along Court Street, which the Courthouse is on, and behind the Courthouse.
From Danville, take Hwy 86 south. At Yanceyville US 158 joins Hwy 86 at the first traffic signal. Continue to the next traffic light, and turn right onto State Road 1589, (North Street). Continue for ¼ mile. The Courthouse is on the right across the square.
From South Boston, take US 58 west. At a traffic signal, turn left onto Hwy 62 south (Milton Highway). Continue for 17 miles on Hwy 62. At Yanceyville, continue straight on State road 1163 (Main Street). The Courthouse is on the left once you reach the square.
From the east, take US 158 west. Continue on NC 62 south. Continue straight on State Road 1163 (Main Street). The Courthouse is on the left once you reach the square.
From the south, take NC 62 north. Turn left onto State Road 1163 (Main Street). The Courthouse is on the left once you reach the square.
From the west, take US 158 east. Turn right at the first traffic light, joining Hwy 86 south. Continue to the next traffic light, and turn right onto State Road 1589, (North Street). Continue for ¼ mile. The Courthouse is on the right across the square.

Further information: T Butler, 336-349-5727 or members@danriver.org