The Virginia Museum of Natural History recently honored non-profit groups, businesses, and individuals at the 22nd annual Thomas Jefferson Awards. The awards recognize those organizations and individuals for their contributions to and in support of the natural sciences. The Dan River Basin Association was the proud recipient of one of the awards. (All photos Courtesy of VMNH, Melody Cartwright - photographer)
Left to right: the Martinsville Bulletin, accepted by Editor Ginny Wray; Dr. Cleveland P. Hickman Jr., professor emeritus at Washington and Lee University; Dan River Basin Association, accepted by Brian Williams and Jennifer Doss; Boxley Materials Co., accepted by Charles Craddock, superintendent of Boxley’s Fieldale Quarry; Ward Littlefield, a 20-year volunteer at the museum; and Anne Boschen Wright, coordinator of life sciences outreach education at Virginia Commonwealth University
Keynote speaker for the evening was Jay Gillian master trainer for Virginia Save Our Streams. Mr Gilliam spoke about the need for education and cooperation to protect our natural resources. Jay has worked in over 75 VA counties and 13 river basins training thousands of volunteers to monitor our rivers and streams. He pointed out that local people should not look solely to government to solve water quality issues; everyone should be at the table working together toward the common goal of clean and healthy water for all. The Martinsville Bulletin received the Noel T Boaz Director’s Award, selected by the VMNH executive director. It is presented to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions, through volunteer efforts or financial support, to enable the museum to be a more successful institution and to secure its future as a great museum benefiting all citizens of the commonwealth of Virginia. The award was accepted by Bulletin Editor - Ginny Wray.
Dr. Cleveland P. Hickman Jr., professor emeritus of Biology at Washington and Lee University, received the Thomas Jefferson Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Natural Science. This award is presented to an individual who has consistently made outstanding contributions to natural history. The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), which received the Matthew Fontaine Maury Distinguished Service Award, presented to an individual or corporation that has provided exemplary service in the development of VMNH. The award was accepted by Brian Williams and Jennifer Doss of DRBA.
Dr. David Jones, a VMNH board member and founder of the Trout in the Classroom project locally, described the extensive work done by DRBA since The Harvest Foundation approved a grant that led to its work here. Included are creating a new system of rivers and trails, taking over the Trout in the Classroom project, creating Smith River kayak access points, creating heritage projects and more. DRBA has “promoted the ideas of the Virginia Museum of Natural History,” Jones added.
Dr. David Jones, a VMNH board member and founder of the Trout in the Classroom project locally, described the extensive work done by DRBA since The Harvest Foundation approved a grant that led to its work here. Included are creating a new system of rivers and trails, taking over the Trout in the Classroom project, creating Smith River kayak access points, creating heritage projects and more. DRBA has “promoted the ideas of the Virginia Museum of Natural History,” Jones added.
Boxley Materials Co., received the William Barton Rogers Corporate Award, presented to a corporation that has shown significant support for the natural sciences in Virginia, through contributions to research, science education or other relevant programs of the museum. It was accepted by Charles Craddock, superintendent of Boxley’s Fieldale Quarry.
Ward Littlefield, received the William Barton Rogers Individual Award, which is presented to an individual who has shown significant support for the natural sciences in Virginia through contributions to research, science education or other relevant programs of the museum.
Anne Boschen Wright, coordinator of life sciences outreach education at Virginia Commonwealth University, received the Thomas Jefferson Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Natural Science Education. This award is presented to a Virginia educator who has consistently made outstanding contributions to natural history, environmental and science education in either the formal or non-formal sectors.
Dan River Basin was represented by 9 board members and volunteers at the awards ceremony.
Left to right: DRBA board members Ellen Jessee and Clay Gravely, DRBA staff Brian Williams, DRBA Vice President David Jones, DRBA staff Jennifer Doss, DRBA board members T and Lindley Butler, DRBA volunteers Patty and Paul May.
Brian Williams and Jennifer Doss with DRBA President, Wayne Kirkpatrick
Brian Williams and Jennifer Doss with DRBA President, Wayne Kirkpatrick
Article contributed by Brian Williams
Edited and posted by Vicky Thomas
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