Catawba Landcare

All-

The Catawba Landcare group is something I think some of you may be
interested in - maybe you already know about it. Please note the
meetings and topics near the end of this e-mail from Christy Gabbard
at Virginia Tech. I wrote a story about the group for The New Castle
Record which was published in December; if you're interested you can
read it here

Catawba Landcare had a successful year in 2007 and the schedule is
filling in for 2008. Read on to learn more about our accomplishments,
current projects, and upcoming meetings. As always, feel free to
suggest topics for meetings, make comments, or provide suggestions.
Please pass this email on to others that might be interested.

Stream Restoration and Enhancement
Last year Catawba Landcare spent a great deal of energy and time
focused on water quality and stream restoration and enhancement in the
Catawba Creek and North Fork watersheds. Catawba Landcare and the
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) created an effective
partnership promoting stream restoration and riparian enhancement by
holding educational meetings, developing outreach materials, as well
detailing financial assistance available through DGIF's Landowner
Incentive Program.

To date 2,965 ln. ft. of stream and riparian buffer have been restored
in the North Fork watershed with 2400 linear feet proposed for 2008!!

**We have also received a number of inquiries from landowners
interested in stream restoration in the Catawba Creek watershed.
Unfortunately the Landowner Incentive Program is not active in this
watershed. We are currently exploring other opportunities and
options for these landowners. **

Catawba Farm
Catawba Landcare and other residents are concerned that the Catawba
Farm may be sold and want to take strides to keep it in active
agricultural production. Catawba Landcare held an informational
meeting about the farm in November and is helping to organize an
advisory team made up of landowners, VT and other stakeholders. At
the meeting, it was agreed the most important first step is to
generate activity (projects on the ground) at the farm and to research
the possibility for a conservation easement. If you want to learn
more or are interested in serving on a steering committee for the farm
please let me know.

Upcoming Meetings
*January 27th* -- "Forest Landcare for our Mountains and Valleys"
offered by the Blue Ridge Forest Cooperative at the Blacksburg
Country Club, 1-3pm

Those interested in Forest Management may also want to check out the
short course "Online Woodland Options for Landowners" offered by
Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension. For more information go to
www.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate or contact Jennifer Gagnon at 540)231-6391
or jgagnon@vt.edu.

February 15th, "The Potential of Warm Season Grasses for Use as a
Forage and Cash Crop", 11 am – 1 pm, Catawba Community Center, lunch
provided
RSVP requested - Christy Gabbard 540 357 3744

February 19th -- "Adding Value to your Products" - Location and time
to be announced -- please call or email for more information.

March 2nd- Whole Farm Management, Location To Be Announced.

April 13th – "Capitalizing on Agritourism" at the Maison Beliveau Bed
& Breakfast, 3-5 pm, directions see
http://www.maisonbeliveau.com/directions.html, refreshments provided

Support:
We could not have been as effective without the generous support from
the landowners in Catawba, United States Department of Agriculture,
Western Virginia Water Authority, Western Virginia Land Trust, New
River Land Trust, and Virginia Tech. Thank you!

Funding for the Landowner Incentive Program was provided by the US
Fish and Wildlife Service (Landowner Incentive Program) & FishAmerica
Foundation