Thankful for Our Rivers – Thankful for Your Support

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Celebrate Fayetteville’s Outdoor Recreation Businesses

Reserve Your FREE Seat on an ACE Adventure Raft for WV Rivers’ Labor Day Picnic & Paddle

FREE Event: Elkspedition Picnic & Paddle Labor Day, 9/4

Elkspedition Picnic & Paddle and Elk River Photo Map

One Year After Flood, WV Rivers Launches Elk River Photo Documentary Project

WV Rivers invites volunteers to document lasting flood impacts to the Elk River in pictures

Charleston WV — June 23, marked the one-year observation of the devastating flooding that impacted many parts of West Virginia. West Virginia Rivers Coalition is launching a crowd-sourced photo documentary project on one of the impacted rivers — the Elk River — to document lasting effects of the flood.

People interested in contributing to the project can download a free app called Water Reporter; download the app here, to their phones. The app allows users to upload photos to an online map, creating an inventory of potential cleanup projects. Anyone who spends time on or by the river is invited to contribute.

Although much of the Elk River is once again open for recreation, there are still dangerous spots containing debris like household appliances, tires, and home furnishings.

“Several affected communities still have a long way to go to fully recover. Seeing the river restored to its health and beauty is part of that healing process. This project is a way for people to help identify areas of the river itself that still need attention,” said Angie Rosser, WV Rivers Executive Director.

The photo documentary will be on display during West Virginia Rivers’ Elkspedition Picnic & Paddle. Scheduled for Labor Day, September 4, at Coonskin Park, the free event invites paddlers of all ages and skill levels to participate in a 3-mile float on the Elk River ending at Coonskin. Paddlers will be welcomed with a free picnic and family friendly Elk River festival once they are off the river.

The Elkspedition Picnic & Paddle is part of the Waterkeeper Alliance’s SPLASH event series and benefits the West Virginia Headwaters Waterkeeper, a program of West Virginia Rivers Coalition. For information on the Elkspedition Picnic & Paddle, click here. For more information on the and the Elk River photo documentary project, click here.

For more information on the SPLASH Event Series, presented nationally by Toyota, please visit www.splashseries.org.

WV Rivers’ Angie Rosser Recognized by the National Wildlife Federation

Angie Rosser Honored with National Wildlife Federation’s Charlie Shaw Partnership Award

WV Rivers’ executive director Angie Rosser, second from left, with staff member Kathleen Tyner, mother Annette Lang, and Annette’s husband Bob Lang.

The National Wildlife Federation named Angie Rosser of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition the recipient of its 2017 Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award. The award honors one person each year from among the Federation’s affiliates; WV Rivers is the NWF West Virginia affiliate. Rosser was honored for her efforts to protect rivers and wildlife habitat in West Virginia and nationwide.

“The words ‘fearless,’ ‘tireless’ and ‘effective’ perfectly describe Angie Rosser’s advocacy for West Virginia’s waters and wildlife,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Thanks to Angie’s leadership, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition has broadened its reach and increased its impact. She is a phenomenal partner, and we are honored to have her as part of the Federation family.

The award ceremony took place June 10 at the National Wildlife Federation’s annual meeting held at Skamania Lodge, in Stevenson, Washington. “Every day, Angie demonstrates her leadership and her passion for rivers, wetlands, and the wildlife that depend on them, both in West Virginia and nationwide,” said Hilary Falk, a regional executive director with the National Wildlife Federation. “Angie has a knack for uniting diverse voices to raise the profile of an issue, whether it is the need for clean drinking water or the importance of public lands.”

Called an integral part of the National Wildlife Federation by O’Mara, Rosser serves as co-chair of the Federation’s Water Caucus and as co-chair of the Choose Clean Water Coalition, which works to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Rosser works to create partnerships on conservation issues with leaders from across the country, but it’s her deep passion for the work that inspires others in the National Wildlife Federation and beyond.

“I feel so humbled by the recognition,” said Rosser. “To me, it’s comforting to know that the nation is watching West Virginia. They see people here working to protect the waters that people and wildlife depend on; they know these are often uphill battles in our state. And they recognize the good work we are all doing together.”

You can read more about the collaborative partnership and shared values between National Wildlife Federation and West Virginia Rivers in this joint op-ed published in the Charleston Gazette-Mail.