News Articles

DRBA Receives Grant to Assist Schools with Virginia Naturally

June 11, 2024

The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) was awarded the two-year grant to provide environmental literacy programming to the same students through their 4th grade year into 5th grade.  The project, called “Green Leaves Inspire Clean Water” is in partnership with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Virginia Naturally program.  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Love the Dan River Art Contests - Anti-Litter Campaign

April 8, 2024

DRBA is announcing the Love the Dan River Art Contests for students in Danville City Public Schools!  Third grade students are invited to participate in a Storm Drain Art Contest.  Three finalists will be selected and one overall winner will be selected to paint a storm drain at a park in Danville.  High school students are also invited to participate in an Anti-Litter Poster Contest.  One high school student's work will be selected to create an anti-litter poster that will be printed and posted in Danville City Schools.  TO LEARN MORE AND DOWNLOAD THE FORMS, CLICK HERE!

Outdoor Learning Space at Snow Creek Elementary

November 21, 2023

The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) has installed an outdoor learning space at Snow Creek Elementary in Franklin County that will allow students and teachers to take learning out of the classroom.  The learning space was generously sponsored by the Eco Ambassador Council, a coalition of regional businesses that combine their investment to support environmental protection and preservation opportunities in the Dan River Basin region.

The Snow Creek Outdoor Classroom is an outdoor learning space designed for fourth and fifth grade students and was installed in early fall, nestled near the forest edge, and includes a shelter, picnic tables and native bushes planted by the students.  The space will allow students to practice and apply many of the concepts they are learning in the classroom. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Dedication of Monarch Waystation at Martinsville High School

October 30, 2023

On October 25, 2023, a nationally certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation was dedicated at Martinsville High School in Martinsville, VA. Constructed by the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and generously funded by Dr. David Jones of Jones & DeShon Orthodontics and Dr. David L. Jones of Roanoke Valley Orthodontics, the Waystation provides a sustainable habitat for butterflies and other pollinators that are critical to all living things.  

“This Waystation is both educational and beautiful,” said Dr. David L. Jones. “I hope that it serves as a reminder to everyone about the importance of conservation and protection of our natural resources.”

Upward Bound and MHC-After3 youth planted all of the pollinator plants as part of community service program through their summer camp.
 
A certified Monarch Waystation is an intentional garden that has met the criteria for providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds for Monarch butterflies, as well as other pollinators. It must meet several criteria in order to be certified such as size, type of plants and location.
 
“Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration,” said Krista Hodges, DRBA’s Education Outreach Manager. “Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall.
Milkweeds and nectar sources are declining due to development and the widespread use of herbicides at a rate of over 9 square miles a day - that's 2.2 million acres each year – and equivalent to losing an area of habitat the size of the state of Illinois every sixteen years!”
 
As pollinators, the monarch butterfly migration across the continent provides an invaluable service, essential for many ecosystems to thrive. It is because of pollinators, such as butterflies, bees, and other insects, that flowers, fruits and vegetables can grow. 
 
“Having this visual reminder about the importance of pollination and the value of environmental conservation is a wonderful addition to our community,” said Dr. David Jones. “Not only is this garden beautiful to look at, it’s already doing its job in helping to sustain the Monarch Butterfly population as evidenced by the hundreds of caterpillars and butterflies that are here. We are so grateful to be able to work with DRBA to bring this to our City.”
 
Dr. David Jones and his son, Dr. Jones are also donating an additional $10,000 to support environmental education for students at Martinsville Middle School, Meadow View Elementary School and Patrick Henry Elementary School in 2023. An additional donation will be made in 2024.
 
Visit www.danriver.org to learn more about protecting and conserving our local natural resources and how you can get involved in your community.

Forest School

September 5, 2023

Forest School at Philpott Lake
 
Join the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers at Philpott Lake for an event that is sure to get the family excited about nature. September 23rd is going to be an exciting day at Philpott Lake as we celebrate the US Army Corps of Engineers 70th anniversary at Philpott Lake, along with National Public Lands Day.  To commemorate the day, DRBA has partnered with the rangers at Philpott to present a family-friendly event, Forest School. Forest School will be held on Saturday, September 23rd from 10am - 1pm at the Philpott Lake Visitor Center at 1058 Philpott Dam Road in Bassett.  

“We are looking forward to Forest School, and we are excited that it coincides with National Public Lands Day. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate National Public Lands Day, than coming out and learning all about public lands. We are also excited about having the public here to help Philpott Lake celebrate its 70th anniversary,” said Dillon Brown, Interpretive Park Ranger, Philpott Lake.

This is a free family event which will provide learning opportunities about our natural resources. Educational exhibits and activities will be set up in the grassy area for youth to participate with giveaways. Free meals will be provided to the first 100 youth and their parents.

DRBA's Education Outreach Manager, Krista Hodges, says, "This is going to be a family friendly event that will give children and parents a fun and safe opportunity to learn about nature while also spending time together."

This event is proudly sponsored by the Eco Ambassador Council, local businesses who join together to protect and promote our local natural resources.

DRBA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the Dan River watershed through recreation, education and stewardship. To learn more about the Dan River Basin Association, visit www.danriver.org.