We were very pleased with both the quality and quantity of entries for this year’s EARTH Awareness Contest on our theme: “Gettin’ Back to Nature”. We had almost 500 entries from 13 different schools in Lee, Scott, and Wise Counties and the City of Norton.  

As a special arrangement this year, The Charles Harris Library Gallery in Wise has agreed to let us show selected entries from the contest during the month of May

We will be having a reception for the show on May 3rd from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and will be presenting awards to winning students at that time. While all students are more than welcome to attend, we especially hope that those students who will be receiving an award, or whose art is shown, can be there.  

If you cannot attend the reception, but would still like to see the art work you can visit the gallery located at 124 Library Road SW, Wise VA 24293 

The contest artwork will be on display from May 1 – May 26.  The gallery is open daily during the library’s operating hours at the following times: Monday – 8:30-8:00, Tuesday – 8:30-8:00, Wednesday – 8:30 – 5:00, Thursday – 8:30 – 8:00, Friday – 8:30-5:00, Saturday – 8:30-5:00, Sunday – 2:00 – 5:00

Without further adieu, This year’s winners are:

Olivia Minor from Duffield Primary School; First Place in the Elementary School Art Category

Katie Anderson from Duffield Primary School; Runner up in the Elementary School Art Category

Mattison Horton from Duffield Primary School; Runner up in the Elementary School Art Category

Jacob Strong from Hilton Elementary School; First Place in the Elementary School Essay Category

Bree Mullins from Hilton Elementary School; Runner up in the Elementary School Essay Category

Brianna Sharret from Dryden Elementary School; Runner up in the Elementary School Essay Category

Matthew Gobble from Hilton Elementary School; Honorable Mention in the Elementary School Essay Category

Tyler Stacey from Gate City Middle School; First Place in the Middle School Art Category

Brittany Mullins from J.W. Adams Combined School; Runner Up in the Middle School Art Category

Grace Reasor from Dryden Elementary School; Runner up in the Middle School Art Category

Lane Castle from Gate City Middle School; Runner up in the Middle School Art Category

Brandon Armistead from Norton Middle School; First Place in the Middle School Essay Category

Abby Sallee from Gate City Middle School; Runner up in the Middle School Essay Category

Holly Owens from Gate City Middle School; Runner up in the Middle School Essay Category

Leigh Ann Stapleton from Shoemaker Elementary School; Runner up in the Middle School Essay Category

Jordan Marcum from Hilton Elementary School; Honorable Mention in the Middle School Essay Category

Madison Scott from Gate City Middle School; Honorable Mention in the Middle School Essay Category

Zachary Carter from Rye Cove Intermediate School; Honorable Mention in the Middle School Essay Category

Aimilee Bright from Eastside High School; First Place in the High School Art Category

Kelsey Blanken from Union High School; Runner Up in the High School Art Category

Taylor Dawn Webb from Lee High School; Runner up in the High School Art Category

Lupita Mosko from Lee High School; Honorable Mention in the High School Art Category

Taylor Oakley from Lee High School; Honorable Mention in the High School Art Category

Dakota Pickett from Eastside High School; First Place in the High School Essay Category

Dakota Harvey from Eastside High School; Runner up in the High School Essay Category

Taylor Church from Eastside High School; Runner up in the High School Essay Category

Additional entries will be shown in the gallery, unfortunately we do not have room for all the entries but lists of students whose art will be in the show have been sent out to teachers.

We’d also like to thank those local businesses and organizations that helped make this year’s contest one of the best so far!

Lenowisco Health District

C-Health P.C.

Lonesome Pine Office On Youth

Green Thumb Garden Club of Norton

CSE Insurance Agency

And Food City #891 in Big Stone Gap

Thanks!

If you have questions about your student’s entry, or would like to get updates about next year’s contest, please contact Chris at clinchcoalition@lpoy.org. Check back here for photos and updates!   

Clinch Coalition and Natural Tunnel staff assisted Trout Unlimited as sixth grade students from Weber City Elementary School released trout fingerlings into Stock Creek last month.

left and going up and around are: Callie McMurray, Olivia Addington, Abby Fletcher, Kierson Light, Hannah Taylor, Sydney Fields, Jade Price, Briana Burchett and Kressa Johnson 

Megan France, Educational Specialist at Natural Tunnel's Interpretative Center talks with kids about the various critters in the creek including beaver that have damed up the creek at various places

A Hellgrammite - one of many critters found

Last Saturday TCC Members and Friends travelled to the Bad Branch State Nature Preserve in Letcher County, KY. The short hike to Bad Branch Falls was rewarding in itself, and while the additional 2 mile trek up to High Rock in the portion of the preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy was a challenge, the amazing view at the top was more than worth it. Did you miss out? See the Kentucky State Nature Preserve Comission's  site for more info if you want to visit yourself or email us  if you would like to learn about future TCC hikes! 

In May of 2007, The Clinch Coalition partnered with Virginia Forest Watch and the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project to appeal Forest Service plans to log 371 acres of forest in the Dry Creek watershed, near Dungannon, VA. This area experienced heavy flooding in 2001, and the damage it brought to local homeowners was one of the driving forces behind our campaign to “Let High Knob Stand.” Although the appeal was successful in delaying the sale, ultimately the Forest Service decided to go through with the sale. Cutting on two parcels was completed last spring. Recently TCC members visited the site near Dungannon, VA, here’s what they found:  

 

Slash piles of unused timber left at the site.

Erosion caused by road constuction.

Waterbars in place to stop further erosion have not been properly seeded with vegetative cover.

Learn more about the Back Valley Timber Sale

Enjoy this great video from friend of TCC, Richard Kretz. Southwest Virginia: One of the Last Great Places on Earth  provides an overview of our regions biological and ecological diversity. Richard's work helps to not only enhance appreciation for natural wonders, resources, and unique flora and fauna we have in the region, but hopefully supports the efforts to preserve and protect them and attract eco-tourists to our region.

District Ranger Jorge Hersel presented plans to cut 461 acres and burn 2900 acres of forest around Keokee Lake to a full house at our Wells Branch Timber Sale Community Meeting in Keokee, VA last fall. 

See full story and more photos in our press room.