YRK Update from Executive Director Edgar Miller
As we move forward together during these challenging times, Yadkin Riverkeeper will continue to work for clean water and improved River access for all. We also want to take a moment to thank those of you who contributed to our Spring Appeal. We are grateful for your support at this critical time. Most importantly during this time, we want to keep our members, supporters and the general public connected to the Yadkin River and engaged in our advocacy work on its behalf.
We can do this through virtual efforts and continuing to work on projects that will enhance the River experience, like the new Yadkin River State Trail paddle map under development. We’re also restructuring our paddle series to ensure greater staff, volunteer and participant safety.
YRK will continue its advocacy for clean water on many levels to ensure clean drinking water and healthy communities along the River. We are heartened by a recent US Supreme Court ruling in favor of clean water in County of Maui vs. Hawaii Wildlife Fund. We will continue to push for stronger federal and state clean water regulations and increased enforcement of those regulations. We applaud the NC Department of Environmental Quality for its strong stance in enforcing environmental laws in the face of the Trump Administration’s roll back of federal environmental regulations and suspension of enforcement during the Covid-19 pandemic.
While our sampling and monitoring activities are currently suspended, we are still responding to incident reports on the River and hope to get back on the water soon to resume our sampling. Just in case you missed it, here’s a Piedmont Environmental Alliance virtual Earth Day blog post and video by YRK communications specialist, Marcus Staley, III, Water Sampling With the Yadkin Riverkeeper.
Lastly, we hope to do a small part to help the hospitality professionals and others that have been so supportive of YRK’s mission and are now finding themselves out of work due to the pandemic. One effort we can all support on their behalf is the partnership between the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC and the Heard Collaborative Cafe, which is providing meals for laid off hospitality workers.
For more information and to donate product or volunteer for the program go to Heard Collaborative Cafe Hospitality Professionals or contribute to the Food Bank. Also please consider supporting two of our long time sponsors by purchasing outdoor gear and picking it up curbside at Great Outdoor Provisions Co. Winston-Salem Store or restocking your fridge with local craft beers and ordering one of Chef Shane’s tasty meals for takeout or delivery from our friends at Foothills Brewing Delivery and Take Out. For a little entertainment, the folks at Footnote Coffee and Cocktails are going virtual with their Open Mic Night, featuring local musicians play from home, every Tuesday at 5 PM. Check it out online at triadopenmic.blogspot.com.
Yadkin Riverkeeper is proud to be a part of the greater Winston-Salem/Forsyth County nonprofit community and we are grateful for everyone’s support for our organization throughout the watershed. We look forward to getting on the other side of this and having everyone back on the water safely later this summer. We know with your support, we can make that happen.
Take care and stay safe.
Below are helpful links to resources and information to support our community during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please consider supporting these organizations and businesses when possible.
Covid-19 Response Fund for Forsyth County
Foothills Brewing Delivery and Take Out
Great Outdoor Provisions Co. Winston-Salem Store
Heard Collaborative Cafe
Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods
Piedmont Environmental Alliance
Sound Rivers NC Restaurant Support
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC