The New River Conservancy (NRC) has announced a search to hire a team of four people for the adventure of a lifetime – the New River Expedition 2026. (NRX26) A crew of four will paddle from the headwaters of the New River in Western North Carolina, through Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and on to the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. Along the way, they will experience the one of a kind ecosystem that defines this iconic landscape, engage with the communities of the New River and prepare the experience to be shared with the public.
The Expedition will celebrate the New River and the Appalachian communities that call its riverbanks home. NRX26 will support the growth of the New River Water Trail by identifying gaps in recreation infrastructure, highlighting areas that deserve more effective protection, and documenting locations that need the attention of NRC clean-up crews. By exploring everything the New has to offer including whitewater paddling, fishing and a journey down America’s oldest river, the crew will develop and share media content that will highlight the New River as a premier recreation experience. The Expedition will primarily be self-supported, with primitive camping being the most common overnight accommodation. A small support team will assist with shuttling, trip planning and logistics. Andrew Downs, NRC Executive Director, who has completed multiple long distance trips on the New says: “This is an incredible opportunity for a group of paddlers with a passion for adventure, wildlife and self-supported backcountry travel to get paid for an experience like no other. This trip is designed to show the public just how much the New has to offer and what is possible as we work with a diverse group of partners in the development of the New River Water Trail.”
NRC is based in West Jefferson, North Carolina with an additional office in Draper, Virginia and serves 22 counties across North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. With a mission to preserve the woods, waters and wildlife of the New River watershed, their primary programs include volunteer-based river clean ups, water quality monitoring, riverbank and riparian restoration, land protection and community engagement including the partnership-based development of the New River Water Trail.
NRC is partnering to develop an action plan for the expansion of the New River Water Trail which will connect Appalachian communities in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, build a green-economic engine, and increase the opportunity for community-led conservation through trail development. Completion of the project will help to strengthen rural economies, protect important natural communities of the river, and preserve land for improved access, overnight stays and scenic quality.
For more information please visit: https://newriverconservancy.org/about/jobs-internships/ To apply, please send a resume, cover letter and references to Andrew Downs at Andrew@newriverconservancy.org. Please highlight any unique skills or interests that you would bring to the expedition crew.
The New River Conservancy organization has worked every day since the early 1970’s to protect the iconic New River and its watershed. NRC is a 501©3 nonprofit. Donations are welcome and tax deductible. For more information, please visit their website or any of their social media pages.
Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Discovery Center
