News Articles
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
Anti-Litter Campaign Focuses on the Dan River
December 10, 2024
With a generous sponsorship from The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region and Danville Parks and Recreation, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) successfully completed an anti-litter campaign this year to raise awareness about protecting the Dan River. The campaign, called “Love the Dan River” focused on solutions to litter issues happening along the Dan River. During the campaign, DRBA addressed simple ways people can make a positive impact in their daily lives on the environment around them. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
