Jennifer Doss Accepts Tourism Director Postion

Join us in congratulating Jennifer Doss on accepting a new position as
Martinsville/Henry County Director of Tourism!
http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=21822

Jennifer's enthusiasm, inventiveness and dedication have produced dramatic results in the past two years as Dan River Basins Rivers and Trails Project Manager.  Working under a grant from the Harvest Foundation, Jennifer's accomplishments have been innovative and exciting, providing enhanced recreational opportunities for our community and river basin and providing new opportunities that have never been available in our area.
Just a few of the many, many accomplishments in the past 2 years:

• Development of the 75 acre Gravely Nature Preserve, Henry County's only interpretive park

• 2 new river access on the Smith River

• Preserving the historic Burgess Family Cemetery on Old Mill Road

•  Development and implementaion of the "Adopt a Trails Program"

•  Completion of the Fieldale Trail Phase II

• The Fieldale Iron Bridge historic preservation Project

•  Smith River Fest 2008- 2009
  

Although Jennifer will be greatly missed as a member of "Team DRBA", we are excited that she has chose to remain in Henry County and will still be a very active part of the goals we are working on together in our region.  Jenn will be continue as member of the Rivers and Trails Board and we look forward to working closely with her in the future.  We wish her the best of luck at her new position. (goodbye Tigger)

Brian Williams

Volunteers Honored at Dinner

Wayne Kirkpatrick, DRBA's President, welcomes everyone to the dinner.

Having a small staff of only eight, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is very grateful for all the wonderful volunteers that help us to acheive our mission of preserving and promoting the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River basin. Volunteers come in all forms, from those who contribute goods/services, participate in steering commitee meetings, lead trips, monitor water quality and maintain trails. Recently DRBA hosted approximately sixty of our wonderful volunteers at a dinner to thank them for their contributions over the past year. Enjoy the following photos from the dinner held at Spencer Penn Center in Spencer, VA.

Brian Williams, DRBA's Outreach, Education and Conservation
Coordinator, addresses the crowd about the importance of volunteerism to DRBA.

From left: Paul May, Linda Drage, Jenny Edwards (DRBA's Virginia Program Manager) and Mary Lawson

From left: Vicky & Wade Nester and Benny Summerlin

From left: Paula Wyatt, Joan Ragland, Nancy Moncrief, Andrew Kahle, Tracy Kennett and Tommy Wyatt

From left: C.D. Prillaman, Trent Fentress and T Butler

From left: Milton Hundley, Mike & Joan Shahan and Linda Hundley

From left: Wes Craddock, Deborah Craddock and Brian Williams

T Butler, DRBA's board secretary and a founding member thanks all the volunteers for their contributions.

New River Access Opens

The addition of a new canoe and kayak ramp on the Smith River increases the total of official access locations to an unprecedented number for our region. The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and their Martinsville-Henry County Rivers & Trails Group is pleased to announce the opening of the newest access ramp at Mitchell Road Bridge in Axton, bringing the total to nine Smith River access sites across Henry County.

A 2008 survey of canoeists and kayakers across Virginia and North Carolina indicated that the section of river from Marrowbone Creek to Mitchell Road Bridge was the second most popular segment on the Smith River. This stretch of river is also very popular with float fishermen as well as canoe and kayak outfitters.

The Henry County Public Service Authority began construction of the Mitchell Bridge access in early December for Henry County Parks & Recreation, with planning assistance from the Dan River Basin Association. The access is located upstream, river-left of the bridge and has ample parking for vehicles and shuttle vans to safely handle boats and passengers. Educational signage planned for the site in the spring will provide information on the area’s natural assets.

The access also received some enhancements thanks to support from Patrick Henry Correctional Unit #28 and Prillaman Landscape Dimensions. Inmates from the prison removed litter and cleared the access area. Crews from Prillaman Landscape Dimensions planted nearly one hundred native trees and shrubs around the parking area and along the shoreline. Junipers, sycamores, tulip poplars, and sweet gum trees are featured, as well as a number of butterfly attractant shrubs including spice bush, red twig dogwood, button bush, witch hazel, three types of willow (goat, banker and black), choke berry, service berry, and fragrant sumac.

According to Brian Williams, Outreach and Education Coordinator for DRBA, "The plantings at the access ramps not only provide shade and beautification but will also protect the river banks from erosion. The trees and shrubs are part of a larger campaign to protect water quality in the region by increasing streamside buffers which absorb pollutants before they reach the river and reduce sediment pollution by keeping erosion in check."

Funding for these plantings was provided by ticket sales and donations from the first annual Smith River Film Festival at the Rives Theater in September and also from a re-showing of the films held at Philpott Lake in November. DRBA would like to thank all who participated in these events.

Photos by Jennifer Doss