Shenandoah 2045: Watershed Heroes

The Valley Today

The conversation today with Tyler Hinkle, Shenandoah County's Planner is part of an ongoing series following the work on Shenandoah 2045 - Shenandoah County's comprehensive plan. In this episode, host Janet Michael welcomes Tyler and Laura Bennett, the executive director of Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.

Janet and her guests delve into the importance of water resources as outlined in the Shenandoah 2045 comprehensive plan. Tyler, who has been at the forefront of the planning process, discusses the community's overwhelming support for the water-centric initiatives during recent public hearings. Laura provides a detailed overview of her role and the organization's mission, emphasizing significant changes and the strategic focus on education amidst recent drought conditions. They talk about how Friends of the North Fork has been active in local schools, parks, and libraries, aiming to educate the community about water conservation and river health.

One of the key segments focuses on the community's unified sense of ownership over the Shenandoah River. Tyler and Laura highlight the extensive community outreach and partnerships that have been established with various regional groups and governmental bodies to address local water challenges. They underline the importance of community involvement in the preservation and management of water resources.

The conversation introduces an exciting initiative called the Watershed Heroes Program. Tyler explains that the program, funded by a grant and inspired by a similar successful initiative at the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia, aims to recognize and incentivize community members who take significant actions to protect the watershed. Laura adds that the program is not just about grand gestures but small, impactful actions like maintaining buffer zones or picking up dog waste, which collectively make a significant difference.

They explore the upcoming pilot phase of the Watershed Heroes Program, which will involve diverse community segments such as homeowners, businesses, schools, and farmers. This pilot is designed to gauge interest and feasibility before broader implementation.

Toward the end, Laura talks about the organization's fundraising efforts and upcoming events, including the 'Rendezvous for the River' fundraiser at Third Hill Winery at DeMello Vineyards. Emphasizing community involvement, she mentions their numerous volunteer opportunities.

Listeners are encouraged to follow up on ways to participate in the Watershed Heroes Program and other related initiatives. Tyler shares contact links for more details, and the episode closes on a note of gratitude and anticipation for the community's role in bringing the comprehensive plan to fruition.