Kayak Classes to be Offered

Have you ever wanted to paddle a kayak but weren’t quite sure where to start? Now is the time to learn! Kayaking is a fun form of exercise and is very safe when practiced properly. This spring the Dan River Basin Association, Henry County Parks & Recreation, and Martinsville Leisure Services are partnering together to bring classes on kayaking to the Martinsville & Henry County area. Two classes will be held in May and taught by Eric Juday, an American Canoe Association (ACA) certified instructor.

On Saturday May 2nd, an intermediate class will be offered. This class is intended for those who have previous experience kayaking on rivers and want to learn additional skills to improve their paddling. The course is eight hours long and will be held on the Smith River in Ridgeway. Fee: $45.

A 4-hour beginner course will also be taught on Sunday May 3rd. No prior experience is required for this class and all equipment is provided. The beginner class will be held on still water at Beaver Creek Reservoir in Martinsville. Participants will learn to enter and exit the boat, basic paddling skills, and other techniques to help them safely paddle a kayak. Fee: $32.

These informative classes are being presented in preparation of the upcoming Smith River Spring Fling on Memorial Day and the 2nd Annual Smith River Fest to be held in August. Learning about paddling safety can help prevent accidents while on the river and ensure a safe and fun outing. For more information on river safety and to register for these classes, please contact the Dan River Basin Association at 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org. The deadline to register is April 17th and spaces are limited!

DID YOU KNOW?
Kayaking for 60 minutes burns approximately 400 calories!

Certified Wildlife Habitat

The following is a neat story submitted by our new friends Cheri & Steve Sederquist of Martinsville.

"When we moved last November, I decided I needed to get to know my neighbor. She is a surprising mix of youthful agility, and aged lethargy. At times her house glistens with fresh, clean rain, and yet I know that those dusty days of ‘dog summer’ left much looking less than pristine. I have seen the plethora of blooms; red, white, and golden; that grace her pathway and welcome visitors; I have seen bare branches of winter that effectively tell intruders to keep away. I have seen her supply food and nourishment to the young and the aged without regard for cost or recovery. I have seen her angry and foaming, swollen like a bruised knee or elbow, bellowing her furor. In addition, I have seen her gentle touch with infants and children, and even sing a faint lullaby. I have seen her roll and tumble in play with guests, and be equally comfortable in solitude.

I have often wondered if she ran lodging from that place of hers. The visitors who come and go do so with the ease and familiarity that only comes with a true tranquility of shared hospitality. Guests are welcome to take as they need, and she seems to delight in their prosperity, and welcomes each returning traveler eagerly.

Apparently, I am not the only one so enamoured with my neighbor. I now see that the neighborhood has changed, and our sleepy little community is being refurbished to accept new visitors who will bring new vitality and energy with them.

My neighbor is the Smith River, just yards after she courses over the hydro-dam on southbound Rt. 220. I have been blessed to witness the magnificent bald eagle of winter hunched on a branch overhanging the river to seek his dinner. I have thrilled at the shrill of the kingfisher, gloried in the many glints of gold as the goldfinches returned in the spring, and the myriad of painted glass black swallow-tail butterflies that gather pollen from blossom to blossom. I have witnessed cardinals, Indigo buntings, and Ruby-breasted grosbeaks sharing the feeder seed simultaneously. I snapped pictures like a proud grandmother of the infant ducklings this spring, and silently cursed sneaky paw prints of the raccoon on my grill. I have giggled at the lumbering ground hogs in their quest for my garden bulbs, and gingerly stepped over wee salamanders that flash iridescent turquoise as they dart in and out of the downed leaves. Moreover, I delighted in the twin fawns that took advantage of the very first warm day of spring to gambol in the river water so typical of children everywhere. I have thought there is so much nature and beauty to be enjoyed here!

The National Wildlife Federation agreed, and today this little patch of land known as Indian Heritage RV Park is now a Certified Wildlife Habitat. The certification is based on the ability of an area to provide the basic essentials for wildlife to flourish: food, water, cover, and a suitable place to raise young, in addition to environmentally considerate land management.

Apparently, I was not alone in my awe and appreciation. The local Rivers and Trails organization has spearheaded a drive to establish a new canoe access to the Smith River. Created by the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department and adjacent to the park, the first passage down the river is directly through the newly Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Truly, “we make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next door neighbor.” "

Thanks for the beautiful essay Cheri!

Rock the River

On April 25, DRBA is seeking volunteers for "Rock the River" at Staunton River State Park. This day-long event is a Girl Scout recruiting event (open to the public!) and will have canoe lessons, craft stations, river bank clean up, s'mores, and—best of all—end with everyone participating in an African drum circle. Professional djembe drummers from Danville, VA and Wilmington, NC will lead everyone in the closing ceremony that sends a rousing Earth Day "thank you" to the river for all it gives to us. No prior drumming experience necessary.

Please email Jenny Edwards at jedwards@danriver.org or call 276-340-2462 if you would like to hear more or to volunteer for this fun-filled event. As always, thank you for all you do for the Dan River Basin.

Article and photo contributed by: Jenny Edwards
Edited and posted by: Vicky Thomas

Memorial Ceremony for Mr. Ben D. Lackey Sr.

You are invited to a special memorial ceremony for Ben D. Lackey, Sr. at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 5 at the Danbury Town Park.

A marker will be dedicated at the base of an American Holly Tree that the Dan River Basin Association has planted in his memory. Many of you remember Ben Lackey, who died in a tragic accident in October, 2007. A business leader and ardent conservationist, Ben and his wife Josephine were frequent participants and sometime hosts for Rockingham County Naturalist Club events. Ben served on the Board of Directors for the Dan River Basin Association for nearly two years before his death. We remember his lively interest in the natural world, his work to preserve the rare plants on his Stokes County farm, and his enthusiastic participation in our organization. We hope you can join us for a brief ceremony to honor Ben Lackey's memory. If you'd like to share a story or memory of Ben, there will be an opportunity for you to do so.

Directions: Danbury is about 20 miles north of Winston-Salem on Highway 8/89 near the entrance to Hanging Rock State Park. The Danbury Town Park is located beside the Town Hall, at 201 Courthouse Circle, directly behind the historic courthouse.

Article and photo contributed by: Robin Light
Edited and posted by: Vicky Thomas

Paddling with the Parkers

At the Dan River Basin Association, we love to hear about your paddling adventures! The following are some photos provided by DRBA members Andy Parker and his family. They recently enjoyed a paddle trip from Marrowbone Creek to Mitchell Road Bridge on the Smith River during the warm weather we had last week.



The 8 inches of snow we had a week ago melted, creating some decent rapids.


Drew & Jack "the canoe dog" tried out a new sit-on-top kayak.

All was cool until.....



Oops -- the dog does not like water.

Jack would not get back in the kayak -- he rock hopped back to the canoe.


Thanks for the story and pictures guys! If you'd like to see YOUR outdoor adventure on the Rivers & Trails Blog, contact jdoss@danriver.org. Happy Paddling!

Article by: Jennifer Doss & Andy Parker
Photos by: Andy Parker
Posted by: Vicky Thomas

Friends of Philpott's 3rd Annual Environmental Education Expo

Saturday, April 18, 2009
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Philpott Lake Park Overlook
1058 Philpott Dam Road, Bassett, VA.

Friends of Philpott is one of several hundred organizations participating in National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) April 12-18th. It is the largest organized environmental education event in the United States. It increases the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a week of educational preparation, learning, and activities. By participating in EE Week, you encourage youth and adults to make a difference in their schools, homes, communities and personal lives!

This year we are asking all our exhibitors to have some kind of activity at their booth along with the usual handouts to encourage active living by getting back in touch with nature in some way.
There will be demonstrations, educational displays, Fly Tying/Casting, food/beverages, Kayak information, Trail Building equipment on hand to show how we forage our trails. This is only a few of those attending and taking part in this national event: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DRBA, 4-H groups and Boy Scouts, Infinity Acres Petting Ranch, Gateway Streetscape Foundation, Bass Federations, Henry County Bike Club, Trout Unlimited, Health Care organizations, and many other local organizations, as well as government groups from Henry, Franklin, and Patrick County. Several local colleges will be there to give out information on courses involving our environment and nature as well.

Also, Master Falconer, Robb Herbst with his Birds of Prey will be at the expo.

The link where you can see more pictures from last year's show: http://www.btw21.com/Community/PhotoGalleries/tabid/384/AlbumID/1286-88/Page/1/Default.aspx

Groups have been signing up daily. If any group is interested in having a booth, or you would like more information please contact Linda Drage at (276) 681-6805 or email at ldrage@comcast.net.

Article information and photo contributed by: Linda Drage
Edited and posted by: Vicky Thomas

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.