Communities
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Salute to 2007 Environmental Stewards of Virginia’s environment:
Western VA Land Trust
2007 Conservation Success Stories
Museum District Association Alley Cleanup a Big Success in City of Richmond
Thanks to the efforts of many dedicated volunteers, Richmond’s Department of Public Works and the Clean City Commission, the event was a huge success.
Working alongside DPW crews, volunteers were able to clean every inch of the Museum District and ultimately removed 13.4 TONS of discarded furniture, trash and other debris from our streets and alleyways.
Litter Campaign Wins Outstanding Partner Award
For over 20 years, Virginia has celebrated Natural Resources Conservation Week the third week in October. The 2007 “Litter Wise” Campaign educational packets contained hands-on activity based lesson plans with background information, key vocabulary words, SOL correlation’s, and additional references/resources. The VASWCD would like to thank Virginia ’s communities for partnering with their local conservation districts and litter coordinators to do their part and prevent litter in your community because “no matter where litter starts, it moves from streets and highways to parks and waterways. Wind and weather moves litter around a community, into the gutters, planted gardens, alleyways and parking areas.”
Special thanks to the efforts of Nancy Drumheller, Virginia Naturally Coordinator and Clara Mills, Virginia Council for Litter Prevention and Recycling Past President, the 2007 Natural Resource Conservation Week Litter Wise Campaign held in October reached nearly 43,000 people. Both were honored at the 69 th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts with 2007 Outstanding Partner Award.
2007 NAAEE Conference Awards
VaNaturally Partner won:
- Outstanding Service to Environmental Education by an Organization
The NEED Project
EPA grant supports environmental education at Virginia camp
PHILADELPHIA – (November 7, 2007) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $12,000 environmental education grant to Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Inc. in Lynchburg, Va. to help expand the camp's field work study program for elementary school students.
The camp will use funds to set up a program for students in grades three through five, with an emphasis on providing students with hands-on experience interacting with the environment. The program will create a partnership with area elementary schools, college students with environmental and education experience, faculty members and an experienced environmentalist.
"It is so important for EPA to support environmental education programs like this that provide youngsters valuable hands-on experience that helps them learn how they can have a lasting impact on protecting the environment," said Donald S. Welsh, administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.
Since 1992, EPA has provided almost $3 million annually in environmental education grants to local organizations, schools and government agencies nationwide. This funding supports a wide range of environmental issues for citizens of all ages.
Visit http://epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html to find out more about EPA’s environmental education grants and online resources for communities, educators, and children.
Dragon Run work recognized by conservation group
Daily Press
The Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority has been recognized by a Richmond-based conservation group for its work in the Dragon Run watershed.
In the category of Scenic Water Corridor Preservation, the Middle Peninsula organization was given an honorable mention for its work to preserve Dragon Run's habitat corridor and public access, said Leighton Powell, Scenic Virginia's executive director.
2007 Keep Virginia Beautiful Awards
L.Preston Bryant, Jr. Secretary of Natural Resources recognized community leaders across Virginia for their efforts in beautification and community improvement; litter prevention; waste reduction; landscape excellence and awards of excellence.
VaNaturally Partners won:
1st Place- Waste Reduction (Non-Profit/Community Organization)
Virginia ’s Assign – a – Highway Program1st Place- Litter Prevention (Non-Profit/Community Organization)
Keep Southwest Virginia Beautiful1st Place- Waste Reduction (Government Agency)
Frederick County Recycling2nd Place- Waste Reduction (Government Agency)
Fauquier County Environmental Services1st Place- Litter Prevention (Government Agency)
The Quest for a Clean Community, Spotsylvania County and Henrico County2nd Place- Litter Prevention (Government Agency)
Frederick County Recycling
Virginia 4-H Forestry Judging Team
Congratulations to the Virginia 4-H Forestry Judging Team who finished ninth in national competition at Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp in Weston, WVA, in July. Representing Virginia was Levi Clayton of Dickenson County, Trey Mottley of Bath County, and Rebecca Shaw of Nelson County. The team was coached by Bath/Highland Extension Agent Christine Hodges and 4-H Volunteer Leader and FFA instructor Susan Wilder of Dickenson.
Forty-one schools recognized for their contributions to Virginia ’s Environment
2007 Environmental Stewardship Award submissions:
Wayne Kirkpatrick (Stuart)
Mr. Kirkpatrick has made significant contributions to water quality monitoring of streams in southside Virginia. He has developed detailed training sessions for local students and teachers as a way to expand his monitoring efforts and increase awareness of the need to protect area rivers and waterways. He is a founding chair of Virginia Citizens for Water Quality Monitoring and a frequent speaker to schools, festivals, fairs and clubs. His work also includes coordination with Trout Unlimited and the Dan River Basin Association. www.danriver.orgDr. David Jones (Martinsille)
Dr. Jones established a “Trout in the Classroom” program to local schools. He contributed personal funds and extensive time to place eighteen aquariums in classes in Martinsville and Henry County Schools and an additional aquarium in the Virginia Museum of Natural History. He trained students and teachers in aquarium care and has plans to expand the program to schools in other surrounding counties. Dr. Jones is also working with the museum to bring more staff and focus to the program in areas throughout the Commonwealth.Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission
Commission organizes volunteers to clean and beautify the Virginia Beach community. Over 13, 000 volunteers assisted with Earth Day, Clean the Bay, Helping Hands, and Adopt-a-Programs saving significant tax dollars and manpower hours.Helping Hands Program (Virginia Beach)
Part of Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission. They assist seniors and physically challenged citizens by organizing volunteers for yard work, cleaning and collecting debris. In 2006, 87 volunteers completed 9 projects.James River Association (Richmond)
Extreme Stream Makeover: Oldtown Creek
James River Association was guiding force in effort to reduce Oldtown Creek pollution. Volunteers gave the mile-long Oldtown Creek in Colonial Heights an “extreme makeover” by cleaning trash, planting trees and other activities. Volunteers also built a bio-filter to absorb stormwater run-off at Sam’s Clubs. www.jamesriverassociation.orgKeep Henrico Beautiful (Richmond)
KHB provided presentations to students on litter prevention and recycling while partnering with local teachers to emphasize SOLS and environmental literacy. Keep Henrico Beautiful School Educational Initiative is Phase II is complete! KHB visited over 4,609 students in in 241 classrooms in Henrico County schools. This countywide program also provides materials, activities, lessons at special events, fairs, and more. www.co.henrico.va.us/utility/khbeautifulBob Balie (Mechanicsville)
As citizen co-chair of the Clean Hanover Community he led efforts to see funding of a school anti-litter poster drawing contest. The poster artwork was used for seed packets). In addition, Mr. Balie is a volunteer speaker and worked to establish Assign-a-Highway program in the County. He is a leader in collecting litter and discarded signs from highways and coordinates with local community services helpers. http://www.co.hanover.va.us/pio/news/050523a.htm
Congratulations to the Clinch Valley SWCD for being the 2007 Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Conservation Education District of the Year.
The Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District reaches over 4,000 students and nearly 75 teachers in 15 schools each year with conservation education and technical assistance.
At the beginning of each school year, a list is provided to each teacher of district sponsored conservation education programs. This listing highlights each program that is offered through the district for each grade level. Lesson plans include animals and their habitat, living systems, forests, soils, oceans, watersheds and ecosystems.
The Clinch Valley SWCD considers their most important educational activity to be the "Natural Resources Festival." The festival is held in May for Russell County sixth grade students. Event stations include water, conservation, agriculture, maps, soils, litter and recycling and more.
The District also participates in Russell County's After School program and Summer School Programs in partnership with the 21st Century Program and the Russell County Public Schools.
Recently, the District in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Southwest Virginia Community College developed a web based course titled "Topics in Leadership Management for Conservation District Directors."
The Clinch Valley SWCD can be reached at 276-889-4650 for more information on their educational programs.
Virginia Recycling Association Recognizes Ten Outstanding Recycling Programs
Each year the Virginia Recycling Association (VRA) recognizes the best waste reduction and recycling programs in the state at an annual awards ceremony. Nominations are sought from the public and private sectors, business, industry, schools, government and non-profit agencies, civic or volunteer organizations and individuals. Awards were presented May 2nd in Williamsburg , VA during the VRA’s annual conference. The 2007 award recipients and categories are as follows:
- EMCO Enterprises, Inc.
Outstanding Business - University of Virginia
Outstanding University Program - Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Outstanding Government Program - City of Norfolk
Outstanding Municipal Program - Darrell Steege (Stuart Drafts High School- Augusta County )
Recycler of the Year - Frederick County Recycling
Spotlight Award - Trex
Spotlight Award - Keep Leesburg Beautiful
Outstanding Community Volunteer Program
James River Advisory Council 2007 Stewards to the River Awards
The regional James River Advisory Council presented six outstanding community members with its annual Stewards of the River Awards at the Spring Quarterly Meeting and Awards Breakfast on May 10 at the Valentine Richmond History Center . The 2007 award recipients included:
- Pauline Mitchell
Leadership Award - Greg Velzy
Community Partnership Award - Sue Cecil
Guardian/Stewardship Award - Kim Conley
Communication Award - Nancy & Bill Trout
Historical Value Award - Anne Wright
Education Award
Landscape Project at Jamestown 4H Camp
Campers (ages nine to fourteen) from Middlesex, King and Queen, King William and Mathews Counties attended the Jamestown 4H Camp from June 19 to 23. The 180 campers had approximately 20 classes from which to choose. Among others, the classes included fly-fishing, canoeing, making terrariums, entomology, service dogs, and landscaping. Read more...
Norfolk Electronics Recycling Day
Keep Norfolk Beautiful (KNB), in partnership with Waste Management, Inc. and City of Norfolk Division of Waste Management coordinated an Electronics Recycling Day on Saturday May 20th.