Social media scavenger hunt contest to celebrate 25 years as American Heritage River 

Happy Anniversary New River!

25 years ago, on July 30, 1998, President Bill Clinton traveled to the Severt family farm, along the banks of the New as it carves through the lush green mountains of Ashe County in western North Carolina, to designate the New River, along with 14 other rivers in the United States, as an American Heritage River.

More than 3 million miles of rivers and streams flow across America, nourishing our soil, carrying our commerce, sustaining our wildlife and quenching our thirst. The American Heritage Rivers initiative recognized voluntary community-based efforts to restore and protect the environmental, economic, cultural and historic values of our rivers. It encouraged communities to come together around their rivers and develop strategies to preserve them for future generations.

In his remarks at the designation ceremony, Clinton said “The New River tells stories of a region, the Southern Appalachian region, where tight-knit communities remain true to tradition, where neighbors share a vision of wise stewardship of water and land. It tells the stories of our emerging nation, for Colonel Peter Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson’s father, surveyed this river, and Daniel Boone trapped here for beaver and bear.”

He continued “It tells stories of earlier settlement through tools left by the Canaway, Cherokee, and Creek. It tells the story of our planet, for scientists can tell by the river’s location and direction of flow that it is not only the oldest river in North America, but the second oldest river on the face of the Earth.”

The New River Conservancy (NRC), who will celebrate their 50th anniversary next year, works every day to protect the waters, woodlands and wildlife of the New River Watershed.  NRC encourages residents in the watershed to appreciate, take care of, and enjoy the New River every day.  With this in mind, they created a scavenger hunt that will surely highlight much of what the watershed has to offer.

Fans will take pictures of our scavenger hunt list and post them to social media with the hashtag #NRC25. The NRC25 Scavenger Hunt will begin on July 30, 2023, the 25th Anniversary of the New River named as a National Heritage River, and run throughout the month of August, ending on August 31, 2023. Full contest rules can be found on their website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages of New River Conservancy.   Prizes will be awarded to those posting the most and most unique photos during the contest.

President Clinton also said that day “I think every child in America ought to have the same chance your children do to fish or swim or float on a river that’s clean and pure.” New River Conservancy wholeheartedly agrees and hopes you join them not only in the scavenger hunt, but also in their ranks and mission.

Rules for Scavenger Hunt

Fans will take pictures of our scavenger hunt list and post them to social media with the hashtag #NRC25. They must (1) Follow the New River Conservancy page on their respective social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter;  (2) tag New River Conservancy and (3) use  the hashtag of #NRC25  Hunt will begin on the 25th Anniversary of the New River named as a National Heritage River on July 30, 2023

Anyone finding at least 15 will receive a new NRC Stella decal.

Anyone finding all 25 will win a swag bag of NRC merch.

5 Bonus points to anyone sending a video of them kayaking, boating, tubing on the New River.

Photo Hunt List:

1. Any view of the New River
2. Any bridge over the New River or any tributary in the watershed.
   (Must name body of water or bridge)
3. People tubing down the New River or any tributary in the watershed. (Must name body of water)
4. People boating
5. People paddle boarding
6. People fishing from a boat in the New River (Name location in post)
7. People fishing from the shore of a river or stream
8. Any state park or national park sign within the watershed **
9. A kayak or canoe paddle
10. Any trail sign within the watershed
11. Your picnic on the banks of a river or creek
12. Toes in the water, sandals not required
13.  A river cleanup in the watershed
14.  Cliffs along the New River
15.  Anyone swimming in the New River
16.  A biker on a trail within the New River watershed
17.  A blue heron
18.  A river otter
19.  A river access ramp/boat launch within the New River watershed (Include sign or location)
20.  Personal Floatation Device
21.  Any rapids on the New River
22.  Any waterfall within the New River Watershed (must name location)
23.  A pet boating with you
24.  A drybag
25.  A rainbow