Supporting VAFP

 Membership

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Our host state park was Douthat, Forest Gladden, District V Manager. Our host Friends Group was Douthat State Park Environmental Education Group Douthat SPEED).

Friday’s ( April 30) activities began with a bountiful breakfast at the Lakeside Restaurant overlooking a beautiful view of the lake. At 8:00 a.m., we boarded the bus in the restaurant parking lot to begin our tour of the area.

Our first stop was at the Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society in downtown Clifton Forge where Margaret Whittington, Executive Director, and her staff explained the Society’s purpose, shared with us some history, and led us on a tour of the facilities and exhibits.

Organized in January 1969, the Society’s purpose is to collect, restore, index, archive, and make available materials on the history of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway to as wide an audience as possible. The Society interprets the American railway experience through the Chesapeake & Ohio’s history using data photographs, drawings, publications, artifacts, and railroad rolling stock.

The facilities include a 6,000 square foot archives/headquarters building containing a state-of-the-art temperature/humidity controlled archives operation as well as display space and gift shop. A second building houses a 5,000 square foot freight station. The facilities and two railroad tracks are sited on 8 acres of land.

The Society publishes a monthly magazine, an annual “Chessie” Calendar, an annual C&O train calendar, approximately 10 books on various C&O subjects, and various pamphlets. Other products available for purchase include afghans, clothing, specially decorated models, reproduction china, glassware, and other artifacts.

The archives include 200,000 engineering drawings (1870-1960s); 60,000 mechanical drawings (1920-1970s); 1,500 linear feet of general reference files; 7,000 books and bound periodicals; 200,000 photographic images (1870s to present); and 50 linear feet of corporate minute books and records of 132 companies predecessor to C&O.

Included among the collections and displays are 16 freight cars, passenger cars, and locomotives of C&O heritage.  Considered overall, this is believed to be one of the largest collections pertaining to the technological development of a single railroad institutionally held in the United States.

Our tour was fascinating and informative. We highly recommend this stop if you find yourself in the Douthat State Park / Clifton Forge area. You can check out the Society on the internet at www.cohs.org (information) and www.chessieshop.com (sales).

Saying reluctant goodbyes, we boarded the bus and headed for our next stop. Located on Route 687 a few miles northwest of Covington is Falling Springs—a breathtaking waterfall. A parking area is available and space has been provided to permit a scenic overlook just a few short steps from the parking area. While we enjoyed the view, Forest Gladden shared with us some of the history surrounding Falling Springs.

Back on the bus, we made our way to Route 220 and turned north to the town of Hot Springs. We stopped in front of “The Homestead” and Beth Hawse, Douthat’s Visitor Services Specialist, gave us a brief history of the facility, pointing out the various sections of the building(s) as she described their function.

Proceeding north to the town of Warm Springs, we turned east on Route 30/42. When we reached the crest of the ridge, we stopped for several minutes to stretch our legs, enjoy the spectacular view from a recently completed scenic overlook, and read the historic plaques explaining the location and its significance.

From the scenic overlook, we continued east on Route 30/42 and then swung south on Route 629. This took us back to the restaurant at Douthat State Park where we enjoyed a much-appreciated lunch.

After lunch, those who wished took a brief respite from the scheduled activities. For those who were up for it, Beth Hawse led a nature walk along one of Douthat’s hiking trails. Field guides were provided for those who wanted them and we all learned something new about Virginia plants.

The training component convened mid-afternoon and included two segments. In the first segment, Lou Verner, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, explained Virginia’s wildlife mapping program and the opportunities available for volunteers to help out.

Basically, wildlife mapping is an outreach and data collection program that provides the citizens of the Commonwealth with the opportunity to collect wildlife-related information to assist DGIF managers in maintaining current data about species distributions in Virginia.

You are a candidate to be a wildlife mapper if you:

·        enjoy watching birds at your feeder,

·        enjoy the outdoors and notice wildlife,

·        enjoy attracting wildlife through plantings, and /or

·        want to contribute to your and Virginia’s wildlife  knowledge.

DGIF provides training and supplies through workshops. For workshop dates and other information use the following internet address: http://www.dgif.state.va.us/wildlifemapping.

The second segment of the training component was conducted by Tim Gettes and Jim Beard, representatives of the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH). Tim and Jim unveiled a VMNH plan to develop natural history museum exhibits at individual state parks. In some instances, existing facilities could be used while in other instances construction would be needed. The attendees were pleased with what they heard and vied for their respective park to be the demonstration project.

We reconvened at the Lakeview Restaurant for dinner. Our guest speaker was Senator Creigh Deeds, a long time supporter of natural resource programs. Senator Deeds did an outstanding job of informing the attendees about the current budget stalemate, discussing the need for better funding for the park system specifically and natural resources overall, and answering questions from the floor. Following dinner and Senator Deeds’ presentation, Douthat SPEED treated the attendees to a wine, cheese, and dessert reception.

Joe Elton, State Park System Director, was our lead-off speaker at the business meeting on Saturday. Joe spoke for 90 minutes on a variety of issues and fielded numerous questions from the floor. As usual, he did an outstanding job of informing the attendees about the “state” of the state park system.

Next came the “officer reports”. A highlight was the description of VAFP’s extensive advocacy efforts on behalf of the state park systems’ budget during the ongoing General Assembly session evidencing VAFP’s rapid growth in organizational visibility and influence. Following that, Johnny Finch, VAFP President, discussed the National Park System budget situation and described VAFP’s advocacy effort on behalf of NPS.

Helen Tansey, VirginiaForever Steering Committee, briefed the attendees on the natural resource related bills that were introduced during the General Assembly session, explaining the purpose of each and the legislative outcome. Helen stressed that the VirginiaForever Steering Committee remains hard at work, will make even greater demands of the upcoming General Assembly, and needs speakers to address community functions. Speakers will be provided with information kits. Helen can be reached at:hlang@tnc.org.

Roy Dudley, Friends of First Landing State Park, spoke on two topics. First, he explained the Virginia 2007 Community Program that will be conducted as a part of the Jamestown 2007 effort and as part of Virginia’s 400^th anniversary celebration. The program provides neighborhoods, cities, towns, counties, regions, organizations, groups, and any combinations thereof the opportunity to become an Official Virginia 2007 Community. Roy suggested that the state parks could be viewed as a community and that each Friends Group could handle the requisite paperwork for their respective park. For more information, contact www.Jamestown2007.org.

Next, Roy explained a wireless internet connection operation that his Friends Group is sponsoring at First Landing State Park. Campers and cabin users will be able to rent a wireless card that will enable them to use their personal computers from their cabin or campsite. The Friends of First Landing State Park will collect implementation information and serve as the demonstration project. If other parks or Friends Groups are interested in more information, contact First Landing State Park.

Donna Sharits shared some fundraising ideas and gave the attendees several very informative handouts. Donna is with the Chippokes Plantation Farm Foundation and can be reached at: dsharits@dcr.state.va.us.

Nancy Fitzgerald told the attendees about a successful osprey project undertaken by the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Nesting platforms were built, cameras were installed, and a television monitor was placed in the visitor center. Visitors can now watch gestation and feeding of the young ospreys. For more information contact Nancy at: nrfitz@mindspring.com.

Lynn Davis told the attendees about a Virginia Tech project that’s underway to measure “big trees”. She said that Virginia is home to 5 champion white oak trees that have been officially recorded. The project is being undertaken to identify others. For more information contact Jeff Kirwin at: jkirwin@vt.edu.

We adjourned at noon on Saturday. Our 2004 Fall Conference will be held on October 22-23 at Twin Lakes State Park. Please join us.