Programs

  • Rockfish River Trails Operations

    ROCKFISH RIVER TRAILS, CHILDREN'S NATURE TRAIL AND SPRUCE CREEK PARK OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND VISITATION. All facilities were open. Grounds maintenance and repairs became a major focus. Hurricane Helene occurred in Sept 2024. Flooding from it did a lot of washout along trails, parking and entrances along with some erosion. Several heavy storms with flooding caused more damage during the year. Weather is getting more impactful. Volunteer Work Days with Master Naturalists and RVF volunteers took off. The wonderful educational learning Pavilion was designed and constructed with contractors and volunteers. There was focus on the need to increase maintenance budget, create reserves and enhance our contact numbers and information for volunteers, donors and visitors. The capacity needs became more evident. As a result, the 2024 budget goal was increased to $100,000 and for 2025 it was to be $130,000. RVF facilities and operations have grown significantly since just before COVID. The budget has grown from $25,000 about 5 years ago. Donor goal for 2024 was increased from 300 to 400 but was not met even though the budget was met. Late 2024 showed there would be challenges in 2025 for nonprofits in many respects.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $22.5K

  • Community Nature Programs

    COMMUNITY NATURE PROGRAMS. RVF is the nature guys, as big as all outdoors and holds education of the community as its top objective. Rockfish Valley Foundation's Natural History Center continued to have its focus on being open more to the public. We say come visit "when the flags are flying". In 2024 there were several enhancements to exhibits. Volunteers including members of the Nelson Hispanic community undertook translation in Spanish of the self-guided tour in the museum. Another volunteer undertook creation of a Monacan Nation exhibit in two large cases and their surrounds with the install of new lighting. Visitation continues to increase. This is the first such exhibit outside their own head quarters. Further promotion of our Lending Library was seen in 2024.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $4.9K

  • Environmental Literacy Education

    PLANTS & EDUCATION -Environmental literacy education project began in 2018 with a grant form VA Department of Conservation and Recreation. The grant was completed in December 2024. ENLIT is a recreational trails project that creates accessible educational content thru QR code activated modules that support a fun experience for different age levels to enhance environmental literacy. It is displayed thru signage, website and devices with digital connectivity along the trails and in the park. We created digital connectivity using Firefly fiber optic taken from existing electric lines and existing Verizon cellular. Teaching aids and devices that relate to water, rocks, plants, animals, culture and history are installed as well. The control of invasive and support for the previous and current planting of natives was major. Install of native and invasive plant signs with QR codes was a created as a resource along the South Fork of the Rockfish River trails. There is an outdoor learning pavilion. In 2024 we also added trailside amenities such as benches, picnic tables and dealt with the challenge of pet waste. Walk Talks and enhanced modules are underway.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $20.9K