Sunday, April 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The live music picnic will begin at 11:00 a.m.  featuring musician Jeff Martin and others.   Some grilled foods (hotdogs and a vegetarian option) will be served until supplies run out.  (Or bring your own lunch and join us at the riverside picnic area).Thanks to Food Lion, Ingles, Lowes Hardware and Walmart for your support of this community event.

The activities begin at noon with a Ranger-led River Ramble.  Please wear close-toed shoes that can be worn in the river and have a change of clothing, as you will get wet.

At 1:00 p.m. River Girl Fishing & Rafting Company will provide a fly fishing demonstration near the riverside picnic area.

At 2:00 p.m. there will be a ranger-led Earth Day sing-a-long for kids in the visitor center.

At 3:00 p.m. there will be a Junior Ranger “animal signs” activity. Participants will be looking for signs of park animals on a short hike starting from the Visitor Center.

From 4:00 p.m. – 6:00pm there will be a movie shown at the visitor center with an earth/sustainability theme. Title TBA.

Also from 1:00pm – 4:00pm, the park will host the following Earth-supporting organizations and businesses to give the public the opportunity to become familiar with their ideas and services.  These include non- profit organizations such as:

Friends of High Country State Parks-The mission of Friends of High Country State Parks is to enhance and perpetuate the High Country State Parks and State Natural Areas for the enjoyment and benefit of all the state’s people.

The Nature Conservancy of NC-The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.  The Conservancy was founded in 1951 and is the world’s leading conservation organization.  Since its inception in 1977, the North Carolina Chapter has protected over 700,000 acres of critically important lands across the state including over 12,000 acres in northwestern NC.  The Conservancy has an office in Boone, NC and we own several nature preserves in the region including our Bluff Mountain preserve in Ashe County near West Jefferson.

The Appalachian Voices (Appalachian Voices is a regional non-profit committed to protecting the land, air and water of the central and southern Appalachian region by working to reduce coal’s impact on the region and advancing our vision for a cleaner energy future. Since the impacts of coal threaten Appalachian states like North Carolina more than any other single source of pollution, we have recently launched our Red, White and Water campaign to mobilize citizens to stand up for their right to clean water.)

The Blue Ridge Conservancy-“Working with willing landowners and local communities to permanently protect land and water resources with agricultural, ecological, cultural, recreational and scenic value in northwest North Carolina.”

The National Committee for the New River-(NCNR) is a multistate non-profit organization focusing on the health and preservation of the New River Watershed.  NCNR uses a 3 pronged approach in safeguarding the New River: Land Protection, Restoration, and Advocacy.  NCNR protects land critical for preserving important wildlife habitat, rare and endangered species, cornerstones of biodiversity, and working farmland along the New River and its tributaries, through voluntary acquisitions and conservation easements.  NCNR works with private landowners to stabilize eroding stream banks, restore riparian buffers to prevent further erosion, and to create healthy riparian habitat for wildlife and aquatic life.  NCNR works to increase citizens’ capacity to defend and protect the New River watershed, working with local citizens to identify and address specific land and water uses activities that threaten the New River’s health, wildlife, and scenery.

High Country Audubon Society covers Avery, Ashe, Alleghany, Watauga, and Wilkes counties and is designed to encourage beginning birders and experts alike to engage in conservation, education, and research for the birds of western North Carolina.

River Girl Fishing & Rafting Company- “At Rivergirl Fishing Company, we love to share the resources and knowledge that are at the core of our passion for fishing and floating down the river.       We offer a wide range of services tailored to the needs of our customers, including fly-fishing lessons, guided fishing trips, kayak, canoe, tube and bike rentals. Need a fishing license? We can provide that too.  Come on by the old train depot in Todd and let us help you enjoy your time outdoors in the splendid wonderland that mother nature offers.  Live. Learn. Fish! “

Riverside Canoe -The Riverside Canoe located on the South Fork of the New River in Crumpler, NC. Riverside Canoe, is a full service outfitter, offers New River canoeing in Northeastern Ashe County. With Riverside Canoe you can begin your adventures canoeing or kayaking on the beautiful south fork along the 26 mile section of the National Wild & Scenic New River.

Florence Thomas Art School-The Florence Thomas Art School is a non-profit art school that provides resources for instruction, exhibition and experience in the fine arts, master crafts and heritage crafts for Ashe County, the region and the world. It has been promoting and preserving the legacy of its founder Florence Thomas, by fostering an environment for creative thought and artistic expression, since 2007.

West Jefferson Chevrolet-  The Cruze Eco on site and they will a representative to discuss its attributes.  (West Jefferson Chevrolet Buick GMC offers a full lineup of fuel efficient cars, trucks, and SUVs.  Our vehicles are designed to meet all transportation needs while being eco-friendly.  General Motors and West Jefferson Chevrolet offer vehicles featuring the latest in fuel saving technologies such as extended range electric vehicles, two-mode hybrids, e-assist, and active fuel management.)

Blue Ridge Electric (who will be giving away CFL light bulbs to the first 50 visitors)

J & S Construction (a certified “Green builder”)-It is our mission at J.S. Construction to provide our clients with unsurpassed quality and availability every step of the way.  Our unique management strategies, scheduling techniques and professional attitudes translate into a seamless construction experience no matter the scope of the project. Whether its New Home construction, Renovations, Decks, or Additions.

B & R Energy Works LLC -Blue Ridge Energy Works has been working in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industry since we formed in 2007.  We offer solar electric, wind electric, and micro hydro electric power systems.  We also offer solar hot water systems and are happy to coordinate with your HVAC contractor to increase your heating efficiency.  We install spray foam insulation to keep your heat where it belongs, inside!

Sunny Day Homes: Sunny Day Homes is a leader in energy-efficient, green building in the High Country; we help homeowners improve the energy conservation of their existing home or help them plan and construct a new home or addition that will be gentle on the planet as well as a healthy place to live and raise kids. You can learn more about us at www.boonegreenbuilders.com or email us at boonegreenbuilders@gmail.com.

Come on out to New River State Park in support of Earth Day and the New River.  Enjoy the day with friends and family while learning a few more ways to be good stewards of our Earth and make some wholesome New River memories.

Call 336-982-2587 for more information.

The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization.  For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.

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