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MARTINSVILLE/~IENRY COUNTY RIVERS AND TRAILS GROUP, DAN RIVER BASIN ASSOCIATION
<br /> APRIL 2005
<br /> Incorporating a Conservation Vision and Voice into the Economic Revitali~atlon of Martinsville-
<br /> Ilenry County
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<br />llistory: With a grant from thc Harvest Foundation and Public Welfare Foundation, the Southern Environmental Law
<br />Center was charged with helping to develop a natural resources perspective in the community revitalization of
<br />Martinsvillc and IIenry County.
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<br /> After initial meetings with community members, an ongoing group has met monthly to refine the mission
<br />and the project and to give form to a permanent organization. The group has recently become a part of the Dan River
<br />Basin Association {DRBA), a nonprofit organization in Virginia and North Carolina, but retains its local identity as
<br />the Martinsville-Hcnry County Rivers and Trails Group of the DRBA.
<br /> * The group identifies its mission as protection, enhancement and promotion of Martinsville and
<br /> tlenry County's natural resources for the benefit of its residents and businesses and to attract visitors
<br /> lo the area.
<br /> · To accomplish this mission, the group will work toward new and improved outdoor recreational
<br /> opportunities, such as enhancements to the trout fishery habitat, public access for fishing and boating
<br /> on the Mayo and Smith Rivers, stewardship of the rivers, their tributaries and adjoining lands,
<br /> including education about the area's rich natural, archeological, historical and cultural resources.
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<br /> A community desire to promote thc Smith River fishery, the Philpott Lake recreational resources, and to
<br />connect the Mayo and Smith Rivers to the entire Dan River Basin in Virginia and North Carolina has led to:
<br /> · An interest in developing river access points and multi-use trails along the rivers and connecting them to
<br /> other public sites such as Philpott Lake, Fairystone Park and Wildlife Management Area, Turkeycock
<br /> Wildlife Management Area, marshlands, parks and schools, reservoirs and other natural areas and historic
<br /> sites, such as marshlands, Court House.
<br /> · A desire to change the operation of electrical power generation in order to improve river flow and
<br /> temperatures for thc benefit of the trout fishery and other recreational opportunities in the entire Dan River
<br /> basin.
<br /> · Interest in preserving the scenic views and wildlife habitat in the Martinsville area.
<br /> · Focus on integration of historic, cultural, and natural resources in specific projects (e.g., trails that tell stories
<br /> of the communities that lived along them, the Native Americans, African Americans) and the activities that
<br /> took place over time (farming, manufacturing)
<br /> · A desire to use the outdoors to educate about the natural and human history and to tell the story of the area
<br /> through various places and trails.
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<br /> Thanks to SELC staff and Henry County Mapping Staff, the group has produced a number of maps that
<br />inventory existing natural resource data bases. In learning about natural resources, the group has heard speakers
<br />from the Dan River Basin Association, the Western Virginia Land Trust, the Virginia Department of Game and
<br />Inland Fisheries and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Currently, we are seeking funds for a
<br />master plan, a demonstration trail and permanent staff.
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<br /> Within the Martinsville Community we will continue to work with and be supportive of efforts of all who are
<br />involved in area revitalization, conservation of the natural resources and preservation of cultural resources. These
<br />include local governments, state and federal agencies and other groups, such as the Martinsville-Henry County
<br />Chamber of Commerce, the Smith River Chapter, Trout Unlimited, Smith River Valley Canoe Association, the
<br />Garden Clubs, Gateway Foundation, Western Virginia Land Trust, Ihe Fayette Area Historic Initiative (FAHI), the
<br />Virginia Foundation for ltumanities (V~I), the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTh'P), and the Virginia
<br />Museum of Natural History. Our goal is to integrate cultural resources, including history and archeology, into the
<br />recreational opportunities we create.
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