Conservancies and Coldwaters: A Strategic Summit
April 18, 9:30 - 3:00
Best Western Motel, Waynesboro, Virginia

 

Conservancies and Coldwaters: A Strategic Summit will focus specifically on strategies to protect
mountain headwaters and spring creeks in the I-81 corridor from the West Virginia line north of
Winchester to the southern edge of the James River watershed at Roanoke.

Speakers include: Nikki Rovner, Virginia's Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources; Elizabeth Maclin, Eastern Conservation Director for Trout Unlimited; Tom Sadler, Director of Program Development at the Trust for Public Land; John Ross, Virginia Trout Unlimited; Mark Hudy, National Aquatic Ecologist--East, US Forest Service; and a number of other local and regional conservationists. Please come prepared to learn, share, and help us develop a bold coldwater conservation agenda.

Participants in the Summit will:
•Share some of the successes and challenges facing efforts to protect and restore strategic riparian properties
•Learn about and receive access to GIS-based mapping systems that rate quality of coldwater
streams and the potential for their restoration
•Gain insight into how to apply state and federal programs for long-term protection of
coldwater resources
•Form a collaboration of stake-holders in coldwater conservation, establish objectives for
2008-2009, and create a process to meet them

Participating organizations include:
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Virginia Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries, Valley Conservation Council, Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program, Potomac Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Pure Water Forum, The Trust for Public Land, City of Waynesboro, and the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival. (updated 3/15/08)

Conference registration: $15 (Includes lunch) Checks accepted by mail or register online. Credit cards can also be faxed or called in to VCC. Register by phone by calling Valley Conservation Council toll free at 877.216.1782 or click here for online registration or to download a registration form for mailing or faxing.

Background on the Event
Conservation of the headwaters of Virginia’s rivers requires public understanding and support,
habitat improvement, and long-term protection. Trout Unlimited recently initiated a long-term
campaign to conserve, restore, and protect spring creeks and mountain streams in the I-81 corridor
stretching from the West Virginia line north of Winchester to the Tennessee border at Bristol. The
campaign is called the Interstate 81 Coldwaters Area Restoration Effort (I-CARE).

The success of I-CARE depends on collaboration among governmental agencies and elected officials,
non-profit organizations committed to land and water conservation, the business community, and
willing landowners.