Events - Thursday, April 23
Forestry for Our Watershed
April 23, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join DRBA in listening to Community Forester, Rachel Kim, as we explore how forestry best practices can work in partnership for our watershed.
Forestry is both a science and an art, and like the various interdependent relationships you find out in the woods, one can’t be without the other. If you were to walk into a room full of foresters, more than likely you’ll hear a dozen different responses on how things should be managed and some agreements, or disagreements from folks with different backgrounds or takes. There is one thing in common in that room, though. Any good forester with a good base of knowledge and passion for what they do will stop to hear what the forest has to say about itself and go from there. There are plenty of options out there, and there is never one right choice. One can only hope to use the science that’s out there to paint a picture and influence the ecosystem for the better. This presentation will provide an overview of what natural resource professionals consider and look for when getting to know a management area as well as go over what landowners should keep in mind when they take a look at their own woods.
Register in advance HERE.
Come out for Lawn Grown Wild
April 23, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
You have two chances to make a real difference! Join us at DRBA’s Danville office on April 22 from 12-2 PM or April 23 from 3:30–5:30 PM and be part of something bigger.
The Lawn Grown Wild program is all about reimagining our yards as thriving and life-sustaining spaces. By turning traditional lawns into pollinator-friendly habitats, you’re helping protect bees, butterflies, and other essential wildlife while also conserving water and strengthening the health of our local ecosystems. Small changes at home can ripple outward to create lasting environmental impact.
Stop by to pick up your free seeds, sign the pledge and take the first step toward transforming your lawn into something truly powerful. Pick a day and take one simple action to make a lasting impact on the world around you.
DRBA Danville VA
308 Craghead St., Suite 102E (our office is located in the United Way offices)
Danville, VA 24541
Where Your Water Comes From
April 23, 2026
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
“Water Treatment and the protection of the natural resource that provides life for our communities. Water treatment is a complex process that involves chemical, physical, and sometimes biological treatment of source water to ensure it is fit for human consumption. The type and extent of treatment largely depend on the source water. The source waters for our surrounding communities are the Dan River, the Smith River and for the City of Martinsville, the City Reservoir. The effluent from Wastewater Treatment is discharged into our rivers, sometimes upstream from raw water intakes. It is crucial that the effluent from these facilities remains clean to ensure top quality drinking water. Many times, the effluent is much cleaner than the river itself, but this takes dedicated environmental professionals to ensure this happens. There are many other sources of potential contamination that need to be monitored and dealt with, such as stormwater runoff from soil and industrial sites, parking lots, construction sites, agriculture and more. As we treat water for potable use, many of these contaminants can disturb the effective and efficient treatment of our water, costing rate payers for additional treatment and monitoring. Join us as we “dive” into the exciting world of water and wastewater treatment.”
Register in advance HERE.
Michael Ward, PE
2011 M.S. Environmental & Water Resources Engineering – Virginia Tech
1994 B.A. Environmental Science w/ Minor in Chemistry – NC Wesleyan College
Certified NC Wastewater Grade IV Operator, NC Land Application Operator, VA Class I Wastewater Operator, VA Professional Engineer
I have worked in the environmental, water and wastewater treatment field for the past 33 years. I have worked for the City of Rocky Mount, NC, City of Clinton, NC and the Henry County Public Service Authority.
Melinda Ward, MPA
2022 Masters of Public Administration – Liberty University
1993 BS Environmental Health – Western Carolina University
Certified VA Class II Wastewater Operator, NC Grade IV Wastewater Operator, NC Grade III Collections Operator, NC Land Application Operator, NC Grade A Surface Water Operator, NC Grade A Distribution Operator, Grade I Pretreatment Operator, and Class Wastewater Lab Analyst.
I have worked in the field of water and wastewater for the past 25 years. I have worked for the City of Rocky Mount, NC, Town of Newton Grove, NC, Town of Turkey, NC, Martinsville, VA, and the City of Eden, NC.
