2000-2004 Communities success stories

The Woolwine I. C. DeHart Memorial Park Wetlands Restoration and Educational Project is a one-acre mountain wetland. The project is located 1.5 miles northeast of the intersection of Route 40 and Route 8 at the I. C. DeHart Memorial Park in Woolwine section of Patrick County, Virginia. Construction started on the project in October 2001.

The wetland project has two main objectives: to restore the wetland habitat and to provide an educational demonstration site. The area allows school, church and civic groups and individuals to have a hands-on experience to learn about the importance of wetlands

Sponsors of this project are the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, U. S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District, Skyline Soil and Water Conservation District, Woolwine I. C. DeHart Memorial Park and Ducks Unlimited.

Individuals instrumental in getting the wetlands site restored include Mike Fisher of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Mike Pinder of the VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Mike Weber, Bobby Mangrum with the Woolwine Park and Recreation Association and Sandra Heath with the Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District.

Intrepretation signs were donated by the following: The Butterfly Society of Virginia, Virginia Herpetological Society, The Virginia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Virginia Native Plant Society-Blue Ridge Wildflower Chapter, The Virginia Chapter of the Wildlife Society and the New River Valley Bird Club.

A dedication ceremony was held in June 2002. The Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District presented the Woolwine I. C. DeHart Memorial Park Board of Directors with the 2002 "Conservation Education Award" for their efforts at the District's November awards banquet.

Patrick County High School honors biology and honors/advanced chemistry classes surveyed the vegetation and dominate species of the one-acre mountain wetland. This is part of the classes five-year ongoing research of the wetlands area to record changes in vegetation and dominate species at the restored wetland site. Patrick County High School Building Trades II and III classes built the kiosk for the main sign.

#18 Schoolhouse is Open to the Public Once Again!
The No. 18 Schoolhouse, is the only remaining one-room schoolhouse in Fauquier County and one of the best examples of a once common school plan in the country. While it once served the students of northwestern Fauquier, the historic structure will now be used as a community center and focal point for the county's master gardeners.

On the grounds, through the cooperative efforts of many, scientific research is being conducted to determine new and innovative forms of sewage disposal. Once proven successful, this project will help many county and state residents to have alternative solutions of wastewater treatment. Paths located throughout the park-like setting provide aesthetic surroundings that are beneficial to wildlife while environmentally safe. Efforts are now underway to restore the interior of the school to its original state.