News Articles
Bassett High School New Monarch Waystation
June 5, 2026
Opening of Monarch Waystation Inspires Stewardship and Learning at Bassett High School
The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is proud to announce the opening of a new Monarch Waystation on the Bassett High School (BHS) campus made possible through the generous support of Dr. David Jones of Jones & DeShon Orthodontics and Dr. David Jones, Jr. of Roanoke Valley Orthodontics. The nationally certified pollinator habitat will serve as both a vital resource for monarch butterflies and other pollinators and a living outdoor classroom for students.
"We believe in investing in projects that create lasting educational opportunities for young people," said Dr. David Jones of Jones & DeShon Orthodontics. "This Monarch Waystation gives students a unique chance to learn outside the classroom while gaining a greater appreciation for the natural systems that support our communities. We're proud to help make that possible."
Dr. David Jones, Jr. of Roanoke Valley Orthodontics said the project demonstrates the impact local partnerships can have on conservation and education.
"Pollinators play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and food supplies, yet many people never have the opportunity to see that impact up close," Jones said. "This habitat will allow students to observe those connections firsthand while learning the value of environmental stewardship and community involvement."
The Monarch Waystation was originally completed and scheduled to be unveiled to students in the Fall of 2025. Unfortunately, deer consumed and destroyed the garden. Rather than rush a replacement, DRBA and BHS chose to wait and develop a plan to deter wildlife and still provide a way for students to easily interact with the space. The garden has now been replanted and is ready to welcome both pollinators and students because early summer is the optimal planting season to ensure long-term success.
Located on the school campus, the Waystation will provide students with opportunities to observe monarch butterflies and other pollinators firsthand, participate in habitat maintenance, collect data and explore environmental science concepts through hands-on learning experiences. Teachers will incorporate the garden into classroom instruction, allowing students to connect lessons in biology, ecology, conservation and environmental stewardship to real-world applications.
The Bassett High School project represents the latest addition to DRBA's growing network of Monarch Waystations throughout the Dan River watershed. DRBA has established thirteen certified pollinator habitats since 2018 across Virginia and North Carolina helping create critical habitat corridors for monarch butterflies and other pollinators while promoting environmental education and community stewardship.
"These gardens are much more than beautiful landscapes," said Krista Hodges, DRBA’s Director of Environmental Education, who led the project. "A Monarch Waystation is a commitment to environmental health and education. This project gives students a chance to experience conservation in action. They will be able to see the direct relationship between native plants, pollinators and healthy watersheds and ecosystems while taking ownership of a project that benefits both wildlife and their community."
Certified Monarch Waystations must meet national criteria established by Monarch Watch, including the use of milkweed species that are essential for monarch caterpillars, nectar-rich flowering plants that support adult butterflies and sustainable maintenance practices. In addition to supporting monarchs, these habitats provide food and shelter for bees, moths and other beneficial insects while helping improve biodiversity.
Pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of more than 75 percent of flowering plants, including many crops that support food production. Yet habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change have contributed to significant population declines. Monarch Waystations provide critical refuge for these species helping sustain migration routes and strengthen local ecosystems.
"Having the Monarch Waystation right here at our school transforms learning into an interactive experience," said Mrs. Caitlin Tatum, Bassett High School, Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor. "Students will develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues in a way that simply isn't possible from a textbook alone."
"It's really cool to have something like this at our school," said McKenzie Wilson, Rising Senior at Bassett High School. "We'll get to take care of it and learn about butterflies and other pollinators and see how the things we're studying in class connect to the environment around us."
Hodges noted that healthy pollinator populations are closely connected to healthy waterways and landscapes.
"We can't have healthy rivers without healthy landscapes and pollinators are a critical part of that equation," she said. "Every milkweed plant and nectar flower in this garden contributes to a stronger ecosystem. By involving students directly in this project, we're helping cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards."
Leeah Sutton Joins DRBA
May 8, 2026
DRBA Hires Recreation & Stewardship Coordinator
The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is proud to announce that Leeah Sutton has been hired as the new Recreation & Stewardship Coordinator. This newly created position reflects the organization’s growing need for expanded capacity to support local initiatives and is made possible through grant funding support.
In this role, Sutton will assist with planning and implementing outdoor asset development projects designed to expand recreational opportunities while also coordinating stewardship strategies and community programming that support a healthy environment.
“Leeah brings a strong combination of experience and enthusiasm to this role and we are very happy to have her join the DRBA team,” said Anna Wheeler, DRBA’s Recreation & Stewardship Manager who will supervise this position. “With her background and hands-on experience, she will be a tremendous asset as we continue our work to preserve and protect the Dan River watershed.”
Sutton holds a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Environmental Health from East Tennessee State University. Her professional experience spans across nonprofit, government and community-based settings, where she has coordinated conservation initiatives, outdoor programs and multi-partner collaborations. She is a certified Environmental Educator through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and a Wilderness First Responder through NOLS Wilderness Medicine.
Snow Creek Elementary Becomes Virginia Naturally Certified Thanks to DRBA
December 8, 2025
This fall, Snow Creek Elementary in Franklin County celebrated becoming a Virginia Naturally school, thanks to the Dan River Basin Association’s efforts as a community partner with the school and implementation of the Inspire Clean Water with Green Leaves grant from the Virginia Environmental Endowment. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
DRBA Appoints Environmental Education Coordinator
July 10, 2025
The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is proud to announce that Kensley Yeatts has been appointed as the new Environmental Education Coordinator. Yeatts graduated from Liberty University in May with a B.S. in Zoo & Wildlife Biology. Kensley interned with DRBA in the education department over the last six months as part of her senior internship with Liberty. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
DRBA Educates the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards
December 20, 2024
Thanks to a generous grant from the Roanoke Women’s Foundation, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) partnered with Snow Creek Elementary in Franklin County to provide all students in grades K-5 with real world environmental science focused projects, presentations and activities over the last two years. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
