DRBA receives Thomas Jefferson Award

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

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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 to solely to government to solve water quality issues. Everyone should be at the table working together for 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.

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

Fieldale Trail: Phase II Opens

Sunday, March 29, 2009

By DEBBIE HALL - Bulletin Staff Writer

An enthusiastic crowd turned out Saturday for the grand opening of a new 1.2-mile hiking/biking trail in Fieldale.

“It’s great to be here,” State Sen. Roscoe Reynolds told the 25 to 30 people gathered for the event. Reynolds, D-Ridgeway, praised the Henry County Board of Supervisors, Jennifer Doss of the Dan River Basin Association and Roger Adams, director of the Henry County Parks & Recreation Department. “This is a beautiful pathway,” Reynolds said of the new portion of the trail that connects to a 1.1-mile section adjacent to the Smith River. That section opened in July 2007. Like the earlier trail, the new portion of trail was heralded not only as a path to a healthier lifestyle but also an economic development tool. Jim Adams, the Blackberry representative on the Henry County Board of Supervisors, said he went online and did a “Google search of rivers and trails. I was pleasantly surprised to find” that Henry County was referenced in half in the first 10 topics. “This is of a possible 437,000 topics,” Adams said. “One can easily see the attention that this brings to the area and helps not only promote us as a destination, but can help promote and drive us economically.”

Like several other speakers, Adams praised the Dan River Basin Association and the Martinsville-Henry County Rivers and Trail Group, which exists “to protect, promote and enhance the natural resources of our area. ... We are very fortunate to have” them. The group not only provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, but also participates in local schools “with many educational opportunities for our children,” Adams said. Group members also “are the extra set of eyes that helps monitor our rivers and streams” while looking for ways to improve the access to and quality of waterways, Adams said.

Doss said the goal “was to create a trail having a minimum impact on the environment while having a maximum level of interest.” Frith Construction made that happen, she said. “By using small equipment and sustainable building techniques the trail was constructed with conservation of the land, flora, fauna, and water in mind,” she added. Doss said there have been many supporters of the project, including the Dominion Foundation “which has been a major supporter since the demonstration trail” (the first phase of the project) was built. Dominion’s investment “helped create a tangible resource that will be used by generations to come,” Doss said. Bryant Brooks Sr., manager of state and local affairs for Dominion, said in creating “this special place,” DRBA and others involved in the project did “a yeoman’s job. There were so many folks involved in this effort.” Sometimes, Brooks said “the easiest part” of a project is “writing checks” to help to pay for it. “The real heroes are you folks” who actually did the work and saw the project to completion. In tough economic times, he said those involved are building a heritage for future generations, and “that’s something to be said.”


In addition to Dominion and other agencies, Frith Construction, Boxley Materials and Patrick Henry Correctional Unit 28 also were involved with the project, along with George Lester, James Stone, the Henry County Public Service Authority, Ellen and Joe Jessee, Dave Wilson, Kay Slaughter and the agriculture of Magna Vista High School, Doss said. “This trail is more than just a walking path, it is part of a greater vision consisting of competing the 45-mile long Smith River Trail System, the Virginia Beaches to Bluegrass Trail, and the goal of a healthier and more active community,” she added.

A Trail For Everyone

Today the first in a series of "Wednesday Trail Workdays" was hosted by the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA). The new volunteer opportunity, held the second Wednesday of each month, is geared towards retirees and others who are free during the day.

For today's workday, the crew met at the Fieldale Trail on a new section (Phase II) that will officially open on March 28th. The 1.5-mile extension of the Fieldale Trail travels from the trailhead parking area (3521 South River Road) downstream towards Koehler.

The trail extension is made possible with a grant from the Dominion Foundation for development. Work has been underway on the trail since July when Henry County PSA officials helped to map and survey the trail and acquire easements from generous landowners. In October, when the leaves fell off the trees, volunteers began clearing the trail corridor and inmates from Patrick Henry Correctional Unit #28 completed the trail clearing process. Throughout the months of November and December, Frith Construction smoothed the surface of the trail and built an attractive foot bridge over a stream crossing.

Now that warmer weather has arrived, the volunteers are back at it, providing final touches such as trail marker signs, trimming stray limbs, and neatening up the trail. Benches, educational signs, and other amenities will be installed within the next few weeks.

The Fieldale Trail is part of the Smith River Trail System which will consist of 45 miles of trail along the Smith River in Virginia & North Carolina. It is also part of the Beaches to Bluegrass Trail System which will travel from the Eastern Shore of Virginia all the way to the Kentucky border following the Highway 58 Corridor. This trail system will not only promote conservation, fitness, and recreation in Henry County; but also, bring in tourism dollars as hikers pass through our area.

One of the unique features visitors will see along the trail is a giant sycamore tree that is 16 feet and 4 inches around and approximately 100 feet tall. The tree is known to be over 50 years old (if not much more) due to the fact that it was utilized as an anchor point when the Koehler Concrete Plant was in operation, dredging sand from the river bottom.

The crew of trusty volunteers consisted of Milton Hundley of Eden, Linda Drage and Susan Kanode both of Martinsville. They were led by DRBA staff members Jennifer Doss and Brian Williams. Many thanks to these volunteers for coming to help out!The beautiful weather brought many visitors to the trail today as our crew met a bicyclist, and six walkers; three of them with dogs (on leashes of course!). Dodie & Stuart (pictured below) are regulars on the trail. They try to get out to the Fieldale Trail as much as possible for fitness and enjoyment.

We also met Ray and Jane of Fieldale and their dog Champ (pictured below), who were checking out Phase II of the trail for the first time.


Whether on bike, on foot, or even four-legs, Phase II of the Fieldale Trail is a trail for everyone!

The public is invited to attend the grand opening of the Fieldale Trail: Phase II on March 28th at 12 noon.

The next Wednseday Trail Workday will be held on April 8th from 2-5 p.m. on the Jones Cliff Trail at the Gravely Nature Preserve in Ridgeway. Volunteers may register by calling 276-634-2545.