News Articles

Smith River Cleanup 2021

August 14, 2021

Smith River Gets a Good Cleaning

More than 25 volunteers generously gave their time to clean almost 400 lbs of litter and debris from the Smith River and roadways during DRBA’s annual Smith River Cleanup event held on August 14, 2021.  Volunteers aged from seven to seventy gathered Saturday morning at the Smith River Sports Complex and then split up into groups with some cleaning-up on land and others paddling and picking up trash out of the river.  Everyone met back at the Sports Complex for a thank you lunch and prize raffle.  

“For the past 12 years, DRBA has hosted and partnered with other organizations for an annual river cleanup event,” said Brian Williams, DRBA’s Virginia Program Manager.  “Every year there’s a bit less litter on the river, and that’s a good thing.  Every person that lives, works and plays in our community benefits from the amazing job these volunteers do.”

The volunteers worked from 9 to noon despite the hot and humid day. Lunch was partially donated by Hugos Restaurant and Bar and the raffle prizes were donated by Smith River Outfitters, Hugos and Lisa Perez and family.  Garbage removal was provided by Henry County.  Event volunteers included employees from Boxley, youth from the Boy Scouts and individuals who live in both Virginia and in North Carolina.

“We don’t clean garbage out of the Smith River just to make it look nice,” said Anna Wheeler, DRBA’s Recreation Assistant.  “The Smith River provides drinking water to thousands of people who live in Martinsville and Henry County. In addition, the river provides economic development when visitors come to hike, paddle and fish.  Keeping our natural resources protected and healthy is good for everyone’s health and our local economy. These volunteers are true heroes.”

To learn more about how you can help keep our local waterways clean and healthy for future generations, please visit DRBA’s website, www.danriver.org

The mission of the Dan River Basin Association is to promote and protect the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River basin through education, recreation, and stewardship. DRBA works to fulfill that mission by building river accesses and trails, educating people of all ages about protecting our natural resources, and protecting our water resources through water quality monitoring, cleanups and master planning. The Dan River basin is 3,300 square miles including sixteen counties throughout Virginia and North Carolina.