NCNR hosts New River expedition this summer

The National Committee for the New River will conduct a river-length expedition along the New River this summer beginning on July 20. 

Traveling approximately 340 miles in total, and beginning in Watauga County, the expedition will conclude on or near Aug. 17, near the New River’s confluence in West Virginia near Fayetteville, W.Va.

Designed to highlight this outstanding natural resource, NCNR will focus attention on the New River, its outstanding beauty and the challenges and threats it faces. Along the way, NCNR’s executive director, George Santucci, and NCNR board member Henry Doss will invite friends, supporters, interested parties, elected officials and members of the media to join the New River expedition. 

 NCNR’s Web site will be set to monitor the expedition’s progress and provide logistical information for those who wish to paddle any portion of the trip. Briefings for the media and informational sessions will be conducted along the river during the expedition, as well. 

NCNR will also hold its annual meeting during the first week of the trip on Saturday, July 25, at the Osborne Farm in Cox’s Chapel. The Osborne Farm was originally designated as the site for the construction of a prison in Grayson County, a project local citizens and NCNR successfully opposed; the farm is now protected permanently with a conservation easement.

NCNR envisions a permanently protected New River as a treasured natural resource. The mission of NCNR is to advocate for successful protection of the New River, to restore eroding river and stream banks and enhance riparian habitat, and to permanently protect land along the river. NCNR works in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia’s New River watershed. The organization has protected more than 5,500 acres of land important to the River’s water quality, scenic and natural values, and has restored more than 66 miles of river and stream bank.