Many organizations throughout Western North Carolina have been busy with Helene recovery clean ups, and the New River Conservancy (NRC) is no exception. Early in November, NRC, along with several other partners including Keep Ashe Beautiful, River Girl, several chapters of Trout Unlimited and volunteers from North Carolina Land & Water Fund in Raleigh, came together to clean up parts of the New River in Watauga County and Big Horse Creek in Ashe County, NC.
Friday, November 8 dawned bright and clear, a perfect day for a clean up on Big Horse Creek in Lansing, NC. 52 people showed up to clean up 2.5 miles of the creek. Steve Trinkle, of Keep Ashe Beautiful, and also a NRC board member, volunteered at both events and says “We took literally tons of hurricane debris out of the creek. Today the stream and bank looks much healthier and is freed from the majority of the trash left behind.” Working in 5 teams, volunteers retrieved nearly 150 bags of debris, countless pieces of wood from bridges, decks, etc. plus kayaks, a 500 gallon container of kerosene and 30+ tires.
The following day, Saturday November 9, 35 people put 27 boats in the water with 35 volunteers to clean a 7 mile stretch of the South Fork in Watauga County, NC. When asked what the appeal of volunteering for a river clean up is, Bob West, a new Ashe County volunteer and NRC Member, said “The New River is a vital connection between our disparate communities here in Ashe County and a critical link between us and the natural world. It is important to me to care for the river as if it was my own and to share the fellowship and sense of accomplishment with so many who feel the same.” West also had some good advice to keep our spirits up in the face of big numbers of miles to clean, “The best way, to me, is to focus on the sections of the river that have a special meaning to each of us whether we paddle, bike or just enjoy the view. We can trust that we are part of a network of river lovers who recognize the role the New River plays in our economic, recreational, social, as well as spiritual lives.”
New River Conservancy will be hosting a clean up on December 7 on Naked Creek, near Jefferson, NC, as well as one on Baker Island in Wythe County on December 14. Stay tuned to their social media channels and website for further information.
New River Conservancy is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization. Any donations are tax deductible. For more information on clean ups or the work they do, please contact Lisa Stansell-Galitz, Communications and Marketing Director at lisa@newriverconservancy.org
NRC Director of Operations and Projects, Joe Johnson, far right, and some of the volunteers alongside debris retrieved from the Big Horse Creek clean up, including a 500 gallon kerosene tank.