Since our founding, the success of the New River Conservancy in protecting the New River has relied heavily on the involvement of volunteers from around the watershed. Words will never adequately express gratitude for the time and resources that these River Warriors have donated to protecting the New, however each year the New River Conservancy (NRC) staff select volunteers whose work stands out to receive an award at our Annual Meeting.
This year, the staff awarded 5 Wallace Carroll Vigilance Awards. These awards honor the spirit, dedication, and perseverance that former Winston-Salem Journal publisher and editor, Wallace Carroll, brought to the battle to save the New River. His journalism experience and his nationwide connections convinced newspaper editors all over the country to join with the National Committee for the New River (now NRC) in its successful efforts to prevent the damming of the River. Each recipient received an art glass tumbler, made specifically for NRC by Stafford Art Glass in Newport, Virginia.
Three of these were for Volunteers of the Year, one for each state of the New River Watershed. Mike Papp from Grassy Creek, North Carolina, Jess Rothe from Radford, Virginia and Samantha Nygaard from Charleston, West Virginia. While all volunteers step up to help out how they can, these three went above and beyond the call of service in ways that were special.
North Carolina: Mike Papp is a Water Watcher on Grassy Creek in North Carolina. Water Watchers collect data every month on tributaries of the New River to ensure good quality data is collected. Mike has been with NRC for just over a year. Mike also created and presented a water quality demonstration at the Saved by a Salamander event in Grassy Creek this past May, as well as creating a brochure about Water Watchers to hand out to attendees of this event.
Virginia: Jess Rothe is newer board members. As an enthusiastic advocate for community engagement, nature conservation and student integration, Jess was vital to the success of the 2024 Symposium held at Radford University. From securing the venue, the rooms, the technology, the tables and chairs, to signage, to meals, to students unpacking cars for us. We quite literally could not have done it without her.
West Virginia: Samantha Nygaard is the West Virginia Program Manager National Parks Conservation Association and a consistent partner of the programs with NRC. Whether it is the innumerable river clean ups, volunteering at a table or a mountain race event, Samantha is first to raise her hand and say “How can I help?” Samantha
The New River Wildlife and Conservation Club, Inc, based in Fries, Virginia was awarded the Advocacy Group of the Year for their work in fostering a clean and healthy New River by hosting Water Watchers trainings, Clean Water Month, and Clean ups, and for being an exemplary partner to the New River Conservancy. Their most central conservation effort continues to be preserving and improving our New River.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Mike O’Connor, a past Board Chair. This is the highest accolade NRC awards and recognizes steadfast, continuous support of the River through years of active, unwavering vigilance. The award recognizes efforts that have resulted in any or all of the following: Victories in River protection through advocacy; Sustaining financial support that enhances the mission of River protection; Continuous, committed efforts to bring attention to river issues and service through volunteer participation and financial support. O’Connor’s dedication to the New River these past decades has shown a heart of service to this incredible resource by volunteering for countless events, guiding the Board and Conservancy, mentoring staff or director, and extolling the values of conservation in his everyday life.
In addition to these, staff also awarded The Doug Blatny Public Service Award to Josh McIntyre, known as Ranger Mac throughout the North Carolina New River State Park system and beyond. Ranger Doug Blatny was a New River State Park Ranger, tireless warrior for the natural world, community educator, explorer, and mostly, a very good friend to New River Conservancy. New River Conservancy created this award in loving remembrance of Doug Blatny whose energy, love, and commitment to the natural world has inspired countless others to pick up the torch. McIntyre was awarded this award for his energy, love, and commitment to the natural world, and given by New River Conservancy staff in deep appreciation of this and his continued friendship to the New River Conservancy.
New River Conservancy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working every day to protect the woods, waters and wildlife of the iconic New River. Donations are welcome and tax deductible. For more information, please visit their website at newriverconservancy.org, or any of their social media pages.
Photo 1: Mike Papp receives NC Volunteer of the Year from Cathy Hanks.
L-R Cathy Hanks, Lisa Stansell-Galitz, Laura Walters, Mike Papp.
Photo 2: Keith Andrews of New River Wildlife and Conservation Club, receives award for Advocacy Group of the Year from Lisa Stansell – Galitz and Stella Cybulski.