Float, Picnic and Hike at Doe Run

May 3rd @ 10 am: DRBA 1st Saturday Outing-
The Dan River Basin Association will welcome May with its First Saturday Outing on May 3 at Doe Run Park immediately south of Martinsville, Virginia. Beginning at 10:00 a.m., participants will take advantage of Doe Run Access, Henry County’s newest Smith River access point, to launch their canoes and kayaks for a leisurely paddle on the river.

“Actually, the river is slowed by the Smith River Dam just downstream,” says Paul Johnson, DRBA’s Outings Chair and coordinator of the trip. “It’s flat water paddling, and we’ll go up and back for a total of about three miles.”

Bordering property of the former Dupont plant and Lynwood Golf and Country Club, the river affords forested banks where trees will sport their early spring green foliage, with many in bloom. Attentive paddlers may see ducks, geese, and songbirds, as well as wildflowers along the water’s edge.

Some paddlers may wish to lunch on the water, but others may prefer to picnic at Doe Run Park, just across Dupont Road from the access. The park, administered by Henry County Parks and Recreation, is a wildlife habitat with more than a mile of hiking trails.

All are invited to enjoy an after-lunch hike.

“Doe Run Park is a gem,” observes DRBA Board member Lindley Butler. “The trails are beautiful, the terrain is varied, and from the high ridge the river sparkles in the sunshine.”

Adds Roger Adams, Director of Henry County Parks and Recreation, “The trails at Doe Run are about 1.25 miles if you do all of them. A lot of wildlife and flowers are on the trail. There is also a good spot right on Doe Run Creek that would be nice to stop for a snack or lunch.”

Leashed dogs are permitted in the park, and rest rooms are available.

Participants are asked to meet at 10:00 at the Doe Run Park and Access, dress in layers, and bring boat, paddles, life jacket, hiking boots, lunch and water. Paddlers and hikers will be asked to sign a waiver form. Meetings and outings of the Dan River Basin Association are free and open to the public.

To reach the park from the south, drive north on U. S. Highway 220 Business into Martinsville. After crossing the Smith River, turn left at the first traffic light onto Dupont Road. From the east, take U. S. Highway 58 Business through Martinsville, turning right on Dupont Road before arriving at the Smith River Bridge. The park and river access entrances are clearly marked.

For more information, contact Paul Johnson, 434-579-7599, kpauljohnson@yahoo.com.

Also in May....

May 24th @ 2pm: Life on the Burgess Plantation-
Guest speaker John Burgess 7th, great-grandson of plantation owner John Henry Burgess, will visit the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve to talk about the history of the Burgess Plantation and the people who lived there. A question and answer session and guided walk will follow the presentation. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or email jdoss@danriver.org.

Float, Picnic and Hike at Doe Run

May 3rd @ 10 am: DRBA 1st Saturday Outing-
The Dan River Basin Association will welcome May with its First Saturday Outing on May 3 at Doe Run Park immediately south of Martinsville, Virginia. Beginning at 10:00 a.m., participants will take advantage of Doe Run Access, Henry County’s newest Smith River access point, to launch their canoes and kayaks for a leisurely paddle on the river.

“Actually, the river is slowed by the Smith River Dam just downstream,” says Paul Johnson, DRBA’s Outings Chair and coordinator of the trip. “It’s flat water paddling, and we’ll go up and back for a total of about three miles.”

Bordering property of the former Dupont plant and Lynwood Golf and Country Club, the river affords forested banks where trees will sport their early spring green foliage, with many in bloom. Attentive paddlers may see ducks, geese, and songbirds, as well as wildflowers along the water’s edge.

Some paddlers may wish to lunch on the water, but others may prefer to picnic at Doe Run Park, just across Dupont Road from the access. The park, administered by Henry County Parks and Recreation, is a wildlife habitat with more than a mile of hiking trails.

All are invited to enjoy an after-lunch hike.

“Doe Run Park is a gem,” observes DRBA Board member Lindley Butler. “The trails are beautiful, the terrain is varied, and from the high ridge the river sparkles in the sunshine.”

Adds Roger Adams, Director of Henry County Parks and Recreation, “The trails at Doe Run are about 1.25 miles if you do all of them. A lot of wildlife and flowers are on the trail. There is also a good spot right on Doe Run Creek that would be nice to stop for a snack or lunch.”

Leashed dogs are permitted in the park, and rest rooms are available.

Participants are asked to meet at 10:00 at the Doe Run Park and Access, dress in layers, and bring boat, paddles, life jacket, hiking boots, lunch and water. Paddlers and hikers will be asked to sign a waiver form. Meetings and outings of the Dan River Basin Association are free and open to the public.

To reach the park from the south, drive north on U. S. Highway 220 Business into Martinsville. After crossing the Smith River, turn left at the first traffic light onto Dupont Road. From the east, take U. S. Highway 58 Business through Martinsville, turning right on Dupont Road before arriving at the Smith River Bridge. The park and river access entrances are clearly marked.

For more information, contact Paul Johnson, 434-579-7599, kpauljohnson@yahoo.com.

Also in May....

May 24th @ 2pm: Life on the Burgess Plantation-
Guest speaker John Burgess 7th, great-grandson of plantation owner John Henry Burgess, will visit the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve to talk about the history of the Burgess Plantation and the people who lived there. A question and answer session and guided walk will follow the presentation. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or email jdoss@danriver.org.

A Paddling Poem

What began as an outing for a party of five,
grew significantly as the river came alive.

Friends told friends and before we knew it,
seventeen folks showed up to do it!

Down the Smith the paddlers were sent,
and one by one over the rapids they went.

From Marrowbone to Mitchell's- a four mile trip,
the folks were ready for anything- even a flip.

All good things must come to an end,
but the friends all shouted "let's do it again!"

So join us again next Saturday at 10,
meet at Doe Run Access- let the fun begin!











Photos by Brian Williams
Poem by Jennifer Doss

New Nature Preserve Opens in Ridgeway

Article from Martinsville Bulletin- Sunday, April 27, 2008

The Richard P. Gravely Jr. Nature Preserve is “ready to be discovered” by local residents and tourists alike, according to Lindley S. Butler, a board member of the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA).Butler made the remark while addressing about 50 residents attending a dedication ceremony at the preserve Saturday.

The preserve, located on Eggleston Falls Road in Ridgeway, is a 75-acre tract bordering the Smith River, according to Jim Adams, chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “It contains 1.5 miles of trails and an outdoor classroom facility to be used for nature studies. The land was once home to a 500-acre plantation in the 1800s and a thriving tobacco farm in the 1900s,” Adams said of the county’s first interactive trail. “A man once cautioned me to learn all that I could from the oldest citizens I encountered, because if their stories are not recorded and preserved, they are forever lost,” Adams said. Visitors to the preserve “will not only get the benefits of the beautiful park surroundings as they walk the trail, it also is an opportunity to learn of the history of the property,” he said. “Preserving the beauty of this place is progress at its finest.”

The preserve is the county’s seventh park and 19th recreation facility, said Roger Adams, director of Henry County Parks and Recreation. It features 1.5 miles of marked wooded hiking trails with more to come, an informational sign with a history and map of the facility, stations on the trail that identify the plants nearby, and a station identifying the Burgess family cemetery. It also has a gravel parking lot and a picnic shelter.

Lindley Butler explained that the land once was the Burgess family plantation. R.P. Gravely Jr. later bought it and “fell in love with this land.” Gravely wanted it to be a wildlife habitat and nature conservancy, Butler said. “And if Richard Gravely thought it was worth preserving,” then Butler said he realized “it must be” saved for future generations. Gravely was an industrialist, civic leader, historian and archeologist. He had been president of Gravely Furniture Co., started by his father, R.P. Gravely Sr., and organized and was chairman of Henry County Plywood Co. before he retired. He helped organize a local archeological society and was instrumental in getting a grant to excavate a major Indian village in the Koehler section of Henry County and an Indian village at the site of the Blue Ridge Regional Airport in Spencer. Among many other interests and honors, he was named Virginia’s Archeologist of the Year in 1984.

After Gravely’s death, the property became held by the Virginia Museum of Natural History, which sold it to Henry County. The county partnered with the Dan River Basin Association to create the preserve. “The beauty is obviously apparent,” Adams said, but it also took a lot of work and dedication to bring it to Saturday’s event. He thanked Henry County Public Service Authority and Parks and Recreation staff for their help.

Jennifer Doss, rivers & trails project manager for the DRBA, said the trail has the capacity “to tell amazing stores,” but without the efforts of many, the stories may have remained silent. She presented awards to several, including Adkins Home Building, the PSA, Parks & Recreation, Martinsville Henry County Rivers & Trails, The Harvest Foundation which provided funding, and others. “The driving force behind this project” was Lindley Butler and his wife, T Butler, of the Dan River Basin Association, Doss said.

Lindley Butler also expressed gratitude to many who helped with the project, including County Administrator Benny Summerlin and Adams. They, along with other county officials and others involved, “embraced the vision and provided vital resources” to help the project reach fruition, Butler said. The preserve and other areas like the Smith River are all “part of our economic future,” he said of the preserve. “It won’t replace” the jobs lost, but it is a vital part “of our changing economy.

T Butler (third from left), secretary of the Dan River Basin Association, points out plants on the new walking trail in the R.P. Gravely Jr. Nature Preserve to (from left) Barbara Jackman, Andy Tredway, Bonya Tredway, Janice Denny and Ken Bridle. They walked the trail following the official opening of the preserve on Saturday. (Photo by Mike Wray)


DRBA Board Members & Staff (l-r): T Butler, Brian Williams, Katherine Mull, Jennifer Doss, and Lindley Butler. (Photo by Darrin Doss)









Abigail "The River Cat" also enjoys exploring nature at Gravely Nature Preserve.

New Nature Preserve Opens in Ridgeway

Article from Martinsville Bulletin- Sunday, April 27, 2008

The Richard P. Gravely Jr. Nature Preserve is “ready to be discovered” by local residents and tourists alike, according to Lindley S. Butler, a board member of the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA).Butler made the remark while addressing about 50 residents attending a dedication ceremony at the preserve Saturday.

The preserve, located on Eggleston Falls Road in Ridgeway, is a 75-acre tract bordering the Smith River, according to Jim Adams, chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “It contains 1.5 miles of trails and an outdoor classroom facility to be used for nature studies. The land was once home to a 500-acre plantation in the 1800s and a thriving tobacco farm in the 1900s,” Adams said of the county’s first interactive trail. “A man once cautioned me to learn all that I could from the oldest citizens I encountered, because if their stories are not recorded and preserved, they are forever lost,” Adams said. Visitors to the preserve “will not only get the benefits of the beautiful park surroundings as they walk the trail, it also is an opportunity to learn of the history of the property,” he said. “Preserving the beauty of this place is progress at its finest.”

The preserve is the county’s seventh park and 19th recreation facility, said Roger Adams, director of Henry County Parks and Recreation. It features 1.5 miles of marked wooded hiking trails with more to come, an informational sign with a history and map of the facility, stations on the trail that identify the plants nearby, and a station identifying the Burgess family cemetery. It also has a gravel parking lot and a picnic shelter.

Lindley Butler explained that the land once was the Burgess family plantation. R.P. Gravely Jr. later bought it and “fell in love with this land.” Gravely wanted it to be a wildlife habitat and nature conservancy, Butler said. “And if Richard Gravely thought it was worth preserving,” then Butler said he realized “it must be” saved for future generations. Gravely was an industrialist, civic leader, historian and archeologist. He had been president of Gravely Furniture Co., started by his father, R.P. Gravely Sr., and organized and was chairman of Henry County Plywood Co. before he retired. He helped organize a local archeological society and was instrumental in getting a grant to excavate a major Indian village in the Koehler section of Henry County and an Indian village at the site of the Blue Ridge Regional Airport in Spencer. Among many other interests and honors, he was named Virginia’s Archeologist of the Year in 1984.

After Gravely’s death, the property became held by the Virginia Museum of Natural History, which sold it to Henry County. The county partnered with the Dan River Basin Association to create the preserve. “The beauty is obviously apparent,” Adams said, but it also took a lot of work and dedication to bring it to Saturday’s event. He thanked Henry County Public Service Authority and Parks and Recreation staff for their help.

Jennifer Doss, rivers & trails project manager for the DRBA, said the trail has the capacity “to tell amazing stores,” but without the efforts of many, the stories may have remained silent. She presented awards to several, including Adkins Home Building, the PSA, Parks & Recreation, Martinsville Henry County Rivers & Trails, The Harvest Foundation which provided funding, and others. “The driving force behind this project” was Lindley Butler and his wife, T Butler, of the Dan River Basin Association, Doss said.

Lindley Butler also expressed gratitude to many who helped with the project, including County Administrator Benny Summerlin and Adams. They, along with other county officials and others involved, “embraced the vision and provided vital resources” to help the project reach fruition, Butler said. The preserve and other areas like the Smith River are all “part of our economic future,” he said of the preserve. “It won’t replace” the jobs lost, but it is a vital part “of our changing economy.

T Butler (third from left), secretary of the Dan River Basin Association, points out plants on the new walking trail in the R.P. Gravely Jr. Nature Preserve to (from left) Barbara Jackman, Andy Tredway, Bonya Tredway, Janice Denny and Ken Bridle. They walked the trail following the official opening of the preserve on Saturday. (Photo by Mike Wray)


DRBA Board Members & Staff (l-r): T Butler, Brian Williams, Katherine Mull, Jennifer Doss, and Lindley Butler. (Photo by Darrin Doss)









Abigail "The River Cat" also enjoys exploring nature at Gravely Nature Preserve.

DRBA on TV

Thanks to our local cable channel, BTW 21, DRBA has had the good fortune to have plenty of media exposure lately. For those of you who do not have cable, here is a link to some of our recent interviews.

Cover to Cover

Episode #45: Brian Williams
Episode #49: Jennifer Doss

DRBA on TV

Thanks to our local cable channel, BTW 21, DRBA has had the good fortune to have plenty of media exposure lately. For those of you who do not have cable, here is a link to some of our recent interviews.

Cover to Cover

Episode #45: Brian Williams
Episode #49: Jennifer Doss

Do You Have Plans for Lunch?

What did you do on your lunch hour today? Did you bring a bag lunch and chat with co-workers, run through the drive-thru for fast food, or did you just plain forget to eat?

Activate Martinsville-Henry County and the Henry County Bike Club have a new program empowering people to get active during their lunch hour; it's called "Lunch on the Run". Every Tuesday & Thursday the public is invited to take a guided 30-minute walk from the Farmer's Market to the Uptown Spur Trail and back. After the walk, participants are eligible for discounted lunches at participating uptown eateries. This month, participants will also be entered into a drawing for a new bike worth $300!

Not only are the walks great for fitness, but you can meet some pretty interesting people on the trail, and soaking up a little sunshine doesn't hurt your attitude either! So come out and join the fun! Every Tuesday & Thursday trips depart from the Farmer's Market at 12:05 and 1:05. For more information on Lunch on the Run , call 276-638-2523 ext. 204 or 331.

Happy Hiking!

Jennifer

Do You Have Plans for Lunch?

What did you do on your lunch hour today? Did you bring a bag lunch and chat with co-workers, run through the drive-thru for fast food, or did you just plain forget to eat?

Activate Martinsville-Henry County and the Henry County Bike Club have a new program empowering people to get active during their lunch hour; it's called "Lunch on the Run". Every Tuesday & Thursday the public is invited to take a guided 30-minute walk from the Farmer's Market to the Uptown Spur Trail and back. After the walk, participants are eligible for discounted lunches at participating uptown eateries. This month, participants will also be entered into a drawing for a new bike worth $300!

Not only are the walks great for fitness, but you can meet some pretty interesting people on the trail, and soaking up a little sunshine doesn't hurt your attitude either! So come out and join the fun! Every Tuesday & Thursday trips depart from the Farmer's Market at 12:05 and 1:05. For more information on Lunch on the Run , call 276-638-2523 ext. 204 or 331.

Happy Hiking!

Jennifer

Trail Users of the Month

Name: Barbara Thompson

Living in Martinsville: 18 yrs.

Occupation: Independant Marketing Executive for Himalayan Goji Juice

Activities: Lunch on the Run, Beginner Bike Rides at the Fieldale Trail, Walking at Martinsville High School

Barbara began walking for fitness 2 months ago and has kept with it- way to go!
















Name: Judy King

Living in Martinsville: Entire Life

Occupation: Retired

Activities: Lunch on the Run, Henry County Bike Club, Riding at Callaway and the Patriot Center

Judy has been walking and biking for the past 15 years. Her mascot is a pink flamingo that rides with her everywhere!

Trail Users of the Month

Name: Barbara Thompson

Living in Martinsville: 18 yrs.

Occupation: Independant Marketing Executive for Himalayan Goji Juice

Activities: Lunch on the Run, Beginner Bike Rides at the Fieldale Trail, Walking at Martinsville High School

Barbara began walking for fitness 2 months ago and has kept with it- way to go!
















Name: Judy King

Living in Martinsville: Entire Life

Occupation: Retired

Activities: Lunch on the Run, Henry County Bike Club, Riding at Callaway and the Patriot Center

Judy has been walking and biking for the past 15 years. Her mascot is a pink flamingo that rides with her everywhere!

Welcome!

Greetings Fellow Outdoor Enthusiasts!

My name is Jennifer Doss and I am the Rivers & Trails Project Manager for the Dan River Basin Association. Far too often I hear people say that there is nothing to do in Martinsville and Henry County Virginia. That's really a shame, because there really are so many great opportunities for recreation in our area! From world-class trout fishing, paddle sports, hiking, and biking- to clubs, higher education, art, and music; our community really has a lot to offer.

The Rivers & Trails Journal is intended to showcase these facilities for recreation and environmental education that are so important to the livelihood of our community. The blog will feature stories from people who enjoy being in the outdoors and give suggestions for fun outdoor activities too. If you are local, I hope that this blog helps you find a special place to enjoy nature. If you're not from around here I hope that it gives you a good reason to visit our community!

Happy Hiking!

Jennifer

Photo: DRBA Staff Members, Jennifer Doss and Brian Williams, at the Doe Run Access on the Smith River (Photo by Doss Photography)

Welcome!

Greetings Fellow Outdoor Enthusiasts!

My name is Jennifer Doss and I am the Rivers & Trails Project Manager for the Dan River Basin Association. Far too often I hear people say that there is nothing to do in Martinsville and Henry County Virginia. That's really a shame, because there really are so many great opportunities for recreation in our area! From world-class trout fishing, paddle sports, hiking, and biking- to clubs, higher education, art, and music; our community really has a lot to offer.

The Rivers & Trails Journal is intended to showcase these facilities for recreation and environmental education that are so important to the livelihood of our community. The blog will feature stories from people who enjoy being in the outdoors and give suggestions for fun outdoor activities too. If you are local, I hope that this blog helps you find a special place to enjoy nature. If you're not from around here I hope that it gives you a good reason to visit our community!

Happy Hiking!

Jennifer

Photo: DRBA Staff Members, Jennifer Doss and Brian Williams, at the Doe Run Access on the Smith River (Photo by Doss Photography)

Upcoming Events

• April 20, 2008 from 1-3 pm: Eggleston Falls Block Party- A gathering for residents of the Eggleston Falls Community in Ridgeway, Virginia to celebrate the upcoming grand opening of the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Bring a covered dish to share and a drink (no alcohol please). A short presentation on the Nature Preserve will be given, along with a walking tour of the property. For more information or to RSVP, please call (276) 634-2545.

• April 26, 2008 @ 10 am: Photography Workshop- Is your camera at home collecting dust because you don't know how to use it properly? The Henry County Pro-Am Photography Club will be hosting a nature photography workshop at the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Bring your camera to this free workshop to learn tips from the club's members on taking nature photographs. Guided hikes through the preserve will also be offered to point out native wildflowers along the trails. For more information please contact club president, Randy Sweatt at (276) 647-7135, or email - rsweatt@embarqmail.com.
  
  
• April 26^th @ 2 pm: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony- Join us to celebrate the grand opening of the new Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Light refreshments will be served, followed by a walking tour of the property. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss at (276) 634-2545 or email jdoss@danriver.org.
  
  
• May 3rd @ 10 am: DRBA Outing- Smith River Paddle at Doe Run- More details TBA.
  
  
• May 24^th @ 2pm: Life on the Burgess Plantation- Guest speaker John Burgess 7^th, great-grandson of plantation owner John Henry Burgess, will talk about the history of the Burgess Plantation and the people who lived there. A question and answer session and guided walk will follow the presentation. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or email jdoss@danriver.org.
  
  
• June 1st @ 2 pm: National Trail Day- Join us to celebrate National Trail day as we open a new half-mile walking trail at the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. More details TBA.
  
  
• June 3rd @ 8 am: Tuesday Morning Stroll- Join us for an easy-paced walking tour of Gravely Nature Preserve. While on the 1.5 mile walk, you’ll learn the history of the Burgess Family Plantation that once stood on this land and see many beautiful plants along the way. The walk will last one hour, please wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss, DRBA Rivers & Trails Project Manager, at 276-634-2545 or e-mail jdoss@danriver.org.
  
  
• June 7th @ 10 am: DRBA Outing- Dan River Float- More details TBA
  

• June 11^th: Project Learning Tree Educators Workshop- A free interactive workshop for teachers, home school parents, scout and youth leaders. Learn exciting new ways to teach environmental education concepts to your students and youth! Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Forestry. 8 am- 2 pm; pre-registration is required. Location: Gravely Nature Preserve (In the event of rain this event will be held at Magna Vista.) To register, contact Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or e-mail jdoss@danriver.org.
  
  
• June 14th @ 8:30 am: Dan River Poker Paddle Run- This 4th Annual Benefit Fundraiser for Hospice of Stokes County is a 6.2 mile river trip on the scenic DanRiver through Haning Rock State Park (about 3 hours). Sign in starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Dan River Company, 1110 Flinchum Road, Danbury, NC. First shuttle is at 9 a.m.; last shuttle is at 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served from noon until 5 p.m. For registration and shuttle call 336.593.2628

• June 23-26: "Wet & Wild" Virginia Museum of Natural History Summer Day Camp- Camp for youth ages 12-17 will be held at VMNH and include a day trip to The Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Pre registration is required. Contact Robin Jensen, Youth Education Coordinator, at 276-634-4188 or e-mail robin.jensen@vmnh.virginia.gov
  
  
• June 28^th @ 9 am: Geo-Caching Day- Come learn the sport of geo-caching! This is an fun adventure game for GPS (Global Positioning System) users. Join us for an exciting cache hunt- it’s a great way to become more familiar with your GPS unit and with interesting “hidden” locations in this new nature preserve. This will be a multi-cache hunt, meaning that you will answer clues in order to complete it (like a scavenger hunt). Teams will be formed before we begin. Come alone, with a friend, or as a family. No experience necessary. Register by calling: 276-634-4185, and indicate whether you will be bringing your own GPS unit or need to borrow one. Sponsored by the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
  

• July 1st @ 8 am: Tuesday Morning Stroll- Join us for an easy-paced walking tour of Gravely Nature Preserve. While on the 1.5 mile walk, you’ll learn the history of the Burgess Family Plantation that once stood on this land and see many beautiful plants along the way. The walk will last one hour, please wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss, DRBA Rivers & Trails Project Manager, at 276-634-2545 or e-mail jdoss@danriver.org.
  
  
• July 14-17: "Forest Explorers" Virginia Museum of Natural History Summer Day Camp- Camp for youth ages 12-17 will be held at VMNH and include a day trip to The Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Pre registration is required. Contact Robin Jensen, Youth Education Coordinator, at 276-634-4188 or e-mail robin.jensen@vmnh.virginia.gov
  
  
• August 4-7: "Eco-Adventure" Virginia Museum of Natural History Summer Day Camp- Camp for youth ages 12-17 will be held at VMNH and include a day trip to The Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Pre registration is required. Contact Robin Jensen, Youth Education Coordinator, at 276-634-4188 or e-mail robin.jensen@vmnh.virginia.gov

• August 5th @ 8 am: Tuesday Morning Stroll- Join us for an easy-paced walking tour of Gravely Nature Preserve. While on the 1.5 mile walk, you’ll learn the history of the Burgess Family Plantation that once stood on this land and see many beautiful plants along the way. The walk will last one hour, please wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss, DRBA Rivers & Trails Project Manager, at 276-634-2545 or e-mail jdoss@danriver.org.

Directions to events featured above:

Doe Run Park & River Access- From Hwy 220 S. Business in Martinsville, Virginia turn left onto Dupont Road (Next to the Martinsville-Dupont Credit Union). The park will be on your right and the river access on your left.

Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve- From Hwy 220 in Ridgeway, Virginia turn onto Old Sand Road (next to Wendy's), turn left onto Eggleston Falls Road. After crossing Marrowbone Creek, the property will be up the hill and to your left.

Upcoming Events

• April 20, 2008 from 1-3 pm: Eggleston Falls Block Party- A gathering for residents of the Eggleston Falls Community in Ridgeway, Virginia to celebrate the upcoming grand opening of the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Bring a covered dish to share and a drink (no alcohol please). A short presentation on the Nature Preserve will be given, along with a walking tour of the property. For more information or to RSVP, please call (276) 634-2545.

• April 26, 2008 @ 10 am: Photography Workshop- Is your camera at home collecting dust because you don't know how to use it properly? The Henry County Pro-Am Photography Club will be hosting a nature photography workshop at the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Bring your camera to this free workshop to learn tips from the club's members on taking nature photographs. Guided hikes through the preserve will also be offered to point out native wildflowers along the trails. For more information please contact club president, Randy Sweatt at (276) 647-7135, or email - rsweatt@embarqmail.com.
  
  
• April 26^th @ 2 pm: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony- Join us to celebrate the grand opening of the new Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Light refreshments will be served, followed by a walking tour of the property. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss at (276) 634-2545 or email jdoss@danriver.org.
  
  
• May 3rd @ 10 am: DRBA Outing- Smith River Paddle at Doe Run- More details TBA.
  
  
• May 24^th @ 2pm: Life on the Burgess Plantation- Guest speaker John Burgess 7^th, great-grandson of plantation owner John Henry Burgess, will talk about the history of the Burgess Plantation and the people who lived there. A question and answer session and guided walk will follow the presentation. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or email jdoss@danriver.org.
  
  
• June 1st @ 2 pm: National Trail Day- Join us to celebrate National Trail day as we open a new half-mile walking trail at the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. More details TBA.
  
  
• June 3rd @ 8 am: Tuesday Morning Stroll- Join us for an easy-paced walking tour of Gravely Nature Preserve. While on the 1.5 mile walk, you’ll learn the history of the Burgess Family Plantation that once stood on this land and see many beautiful plants along the way. The walk will last one hour, please wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss, DRBA Rivers & Trails Project Manager, at 276-634-2545 or e-mail jdoss@danriver.org.
  
  
• June 7th @ 10 am: DRBA Outing- Dan River Float- More details TBA
  

• June 11^th: Project Learning Tree Educators Workshop- A free interactive workshop for teachers, home school parents, scout and youth leaders. Learn exciting new ways to teach environmental education concepts to your students and youth! Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Forestry. 8 am- 2 pm; pre-registration is required. Location: Gravely Nature Preserve (In the event of rain this event will be held at Magna Vista.) To register, contact Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or e-mail jdoss@danriver.org.
  
  
• June 14th @ 8:30 am: Dan River Poker Paddle Run- This 4th Annual Benefit Fundraiser for Hospice of Stokes County is a 6.2 mile river trip on the scenic DanRiver through Haning Rock State Park (about 3 hours). Sign in starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Dan River Company, 1110 Flinchum Road, Danbury, NC. First shuttle is at 9 a.m.; last shuttle is at 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served from noon until 5 p.m. For registration and shuttle call 336.593.2628

• June 23-26: "Wet & Wild" Virginia Museum of Natural History Summer Day Camp- Camp for youth ages 12-17 will be held at VMNH and include a day trip to The Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Pre registration is required. Contact Robin Jensen, Youth Education Coordinator, at 276-634-4188 or e-mail robin.jensen@vmnh.virginia.gov
  
  
• June 28^th @ 9 am: Geo-Caching Day- Come learn the sport of geo-caching! This is an fun adventure game for GPS (Global Positioning System) users. Join us for an exciting cache hunt- it’s a great way to become more familiar with your GPS unit and with interesting “hidden” locations in this new nature preserve. This will be a multi-cache hunt, meaning that you will answer clues in order to complete it (like a scavenger hunt). Teams will be formed before we begin. Come alone, with a friend, or as a family. No experience necessary. Register by calling: 276-634-4185, and indicate whether you will be bringing your own GPS unit or need to borrow one. Sponsored by the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
  

• July 1st @ 8 am: Tuesday Morning Stroll- Join us for an easy-paced walking tour of Gravely Nature Preserve. While on the 1.5 mile walk, you’ll learn the history of the Burgess Family Plantation that once stood on this land and see many beautiful plants along the way. The walk will last one hour, please wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss, DRBA Rivers & Trails Project Manager, at 276-634-2545 or e-mail jdoss@danriver.org.
  
  
• July 14-17: "Forest Explorers" Virginia Museum of Natural History Summer Day Camp- Camp for youth ages 12-17 will be held at VMNH and include a day trip to The Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Pre registration is required. Contact Robin Jensen, Youth Education Coordinator, at 276-634-4188 or e-mail robin.jensen@vmnh.virginia.gov
  
  
• August 4-7: "Eco-Adventure" Virginia Museum of Natural History Summer Day Camp- Camp for youth ages 12-17 will be held at VMNH and include a day trip to The Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve. Pre registration is required. Contact Robin Jensen, Youth Education Coordinator, at 276-634-4188 or e-mail robin.jensen@vmnh.virginia.gov

• August 5th @ 8 am: Tuesday Morning Stroll- Join us for an easy-paced walking tour of Gravely Nature Preserve. While on the 1.5 mile walk, you’ll learn the history of the Burgess Family Plantation that once stood on this land and see many beautiful plants along the way. The walk will last one hour, please wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. For more information please contact Jennifer Doss, DRBA Rivers & Trails Project Manager, at 276-634-2545 or e-mail jdoss@danriver.org.

Directions to events featured above:

Doe Run Park & River Access- From Hwy 220 S. Business in Martinsville, Virginia turn left onto Dupont Road (Next to the Martinsville-Dupont Credit Union). The park will be on your right and the river access on your left.

Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve- From Hwy 220 in Ridgeway, Virginia turn onto Old Sand Road (next to Wendy's), turn left onto Eggleston Falls Road. After crossing Marrowbone Creek, the property will be up the hill and to your left.

DRBA 1st Saturday Outings

On the first Saturday of each month, DRBA offers paddle trips, hikes or museum visits. Members receive special notices of all DRBA outings. “First Saturday” outings are free and open to the public. DRBA is now also planning more challenging “Third Saturday” outings, provided as a special benefit to DRBA members. (Another good reason to become a member!)

On April 5th, the DRBA 1st Saturday outing was a paddle down the Dan River in Danbury, NC from Moratock Park to Dodgetown Bridge. Fourteen people paddled along the four-mile stretch of river and had a great time. Check out the following video created by our very own DRBA staff member, Brian Williams!

DRBA 1st Saturday Outings

On the first Saturday of each month, DRBA offers paddle trips, hikes or museum visits. Members receive special notices of all DRBA outings. “First Saturday” outings are free and open to the public. DRBA is now also planning more challenging “Third Saturday” outings, provided as a special benefit to DRBA members. (Another good reason to become a member!)

On April 5th, the DRBA 1st Saturday outing was a paddle down the Dan River in Danbury, NC from Moratock Park to Dodgetown Bridge. Fourteen people paddled along the four-mile stretch of river and had a great time. Check out the following video created by our very own DRBA staff member, Brian Williams!