Protecting the waters, woodlands, and wildlife of the New River Watershed
for 50 years! 1975-2025
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Our Annual Report includes this map of the New River watershed.
To view our State of the New River Watershed 2024, or any of our last eight years of annual reports, please visit HERE
| Annual Meeting was awesome! | |
We had an AMAZING weekend celebrating 50 years of protection and service to the New River by the New River Conservancy staff, board, members and volunteers.
On Saturday evening, several board members and staff took a quick trip on the New River and got caught in the rain. Sunday dawned bright and clear, if super hot, and we took another, longer trip. What a joy!
Our 50th Birthday Annual Meeting on the banks of the New River was such a wonderful celebratory BBQ picnic and awards event. Thank you to everyone who came out and joined up at New River's Edge.
About our awards: the Wallace and Peggy Carroll Vigilance 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.
We are pleased to award Charlie Mullins our Lifetime Achievement Award, with Ann Goette standing proxy. Our Advocacy Group of the Year was awarded to Keep Ashe Beautiful, with John Pence accepting. Our Virginia Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Jesse Kelly, with our North Carolina Volunteer of the Year going to Jonathan Biebesheimer. Our West Virginia Volunteer of the Year went to Jason Gill.
The Doug Blatny Service Award went to Sam Sweeney, Park Manager of New River Trail State Park.
Huge shout out to Paul Moody, owner of New River's Edge and river lover extraordinaire, for offering his incredible property for our meeting and event.
Check out our photos HERE
| | Andrew Downs New River Expedition 2025 | | |
Showcasing some of the most beautiful sections of the New River watershed, our Executive Director, Andrew Downs, will begin his New River Expedition next weekend in Virginia paddling 20 miles through the New River Valley. He will continue in North Carolina the following weekend, paddling another 20 miles with his two girls on the North Fork, and finally in West Virginia early September with the last 15 miles through Monroe and Summers Counties ending at Bluestone Lake.
The New River Expedition is a paddling adventure and peer-to-peer fundraising event that gives paddlers a way to protect the New River watershed while having an adventure on the New. We are each doing 50 miles on the New River for our 50th Birthday, and hope you do too! Each paddler that completes 50 miles receives a special edition paddle medallion.
The New River Expedition runs through October 25.
To support Andrew, or sign up for your own 50 Mile Expedition
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New River Conservancy awarded
Non-profit of the Year by
Ashe County Chamber of Commerce
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New River Conservancy is grateful and humbled to be honored by the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce as the Nonprofit of the Year. The chamber recognized the New River Conservancy for our efforts to clean up the New River after Hurricane Helene, which has been led by our Director of Operations, Joe Johnson, and included the contribution of hundreds of outstanding volunteers and dozens of partners like Keep Ashe Beautiful, Trout Unlimited, GLAD -Greater Lansing Area Development
We can't say thank you enough to all our volunteers and partners and to the Ashe County Chamber for their recognition.
| | In support of ARC funding | | |
The New River Conservancy (NRC) asked it’s members, donors and volunteers to take a few moments to send a letter of support for full funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
Last October, NRC was awarded $500,000 by ARC to create an action plan for improvements and expansions to the New River Water Trail in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The New River Action Plan aims to significantly advance regional outdoor economies by creating a multi-state water trail that stretches over 200 miles. Involving 20 counties, the plan will include a comprehensive river inventory, a branding strategy, best practices for maintenance, and shovel-ready design plans to create a single standard for river access across several types of facilities.
There was a proposal to cut ARC funding by 93% — from over $200 million to just $14 million. The New River Action Plan is just one of the things that would be compromised if this were to happen.
Advocacy works! As of last Tuesday, July 29, the request by the Trump administration to significantly cut funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission was denied in majority by the House of Representatives.
Please take a few moments to write to your congresswoman/man and thank them for their help to secure full funding for ARC.
Info on where to send letters HERE
| | Hellbender surveys on the South Fork | | |
New River Conservancy (NRC) is happy to help out the New River State Park (NRSP) with their expanded annual hellbender survey. Previously the surveys have been one week in length, this year they will be ongoing for four weeks from 7/7/25 to 8/8/25. Concerned with having enough volunteers, NRSP reached out to NRC and asked if we could activate our volunteer network to help. The surveys are happening throughout the South Fork of the New River and teams include scientists, snorkelers, conservationists, interns and volunteers.
The historic flooding in the fall of 2025 shifted a large amount of bed material (rocks on the bottom of the stream) through the New River. Considering this level of disturbance, it is important to see how established populations of eastern hellbenders fared these large-scale changes. It is also important to see what impact the debris removal crews may have had on historic populations of hellbenders.
Joe Johnson, Director of Ops and Programs for NRC, says “The New River Conservancy is proud to help New River State Park with their annual hellbender survey. It is important to understand the population distribution of these ancient animals in order to ensure their long-term survival.” He continues “The population in the South Fork Appears to be healthy. We are seeing males and females, adults and sub-adults in areas we have historically found them.”
Story continues HERE
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E. coli, the New, and You
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By John R. Copeland, New River Conservancy Water Quality Manager
The New River is one of the cleanest rivers in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia and a fantastic place to recreate. Visitors to any river should understand the basics of E.coli and water quality as they plan to enjoy the New, or their local waterway. While no surface water source can be certified as 100% safe for water based recreation, particularly swimming and other immersive activities, it is important to know more about E. coli and what levels are of concern before you enjoy your New River experience.
What is E. coli?
E.coli (Escherichia coli), a type of fecal coliform, is a diverse species of bacteria found in the environment, food, and the intestines of animals and humans. Elevated levels of E. coli in streams and rivers indicate point and nonpoint pollution sources are present. While most strains of E. coli do not cause disease, elevated levels can indicate the presence of fecal contamination, which can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using E. coli to evaluate health advisories in freshwater. In North Carolina, the Department of Environmental Quality bases its water quality stream standards on fecal coliform bacteria, although they are evaluating a transition to using E. coli. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality uses an E. coli stream standard. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, like North Carolina, uses fecal coliform bacteria.
Story continues here
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Conservation Day w/ The Lorax @ Grandview
Save the date! Saturday, September 20 5:30 - 9:00 PM
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We are thrilled to partner with WV Rivers Coalition & Plateau Action Network for a special day of conservation with The Lorax at Grandview Theatre in Beaver, WV on Saturday, September 20, 2025!
Meet the Lorax! By special arrangement, the Lorax will be attending our event and will be talking to folks about the importance of conservation! (The Lorax will also be available for photos before the film begins.)
Over a dozen partner watershed associations and environmental organizations such as Greenbrier River Watershed Association, Piney Creek Watershed Association, National Parks Conservation Association and WV Explorer will offer fun activities and learn how to be a kid scientist and help the watershed!
Watch the film The Lorax in the iconic Grandview Theatre!
Activities run from 5:30 PM - 7:15 PM.
The Lorax film will begin at 7:30 PM.
Stay tuned to our website events and social media channels for more information.
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NEW DECALS & 50th ANNIVERSARY
FLOW STATE TEES AVAILABLE
NOW ON OUR WEBSITE!
(WOMEN'S V-NECK STYLE IN ALL SIZES OF 50TH TEE)
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Membership has its benefits!
Join online today, and you’ll qualify for these exciting Members-only benefits:
- Members Only Stella decal
- Special Volunteer rate of $20 per year
- Tributaries, monthly newsletter
- Valentine’s Day and Gratitude postcard
- Hands on Volunteer Opportunities
Check out our different membership levels and benefits and join us today!
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