Members of the National Committee for the New River and diehard conservationists gathered on the fertile banks of the New River at Johnston’s River Place Saturday for the annual New River Celebration.

Following ceremonial formalities and budget discussions, the NCNR recognized the contributions that several local conservationists had made to better the scenic and environmental beauty of the New River. Kim Hadley was on hand to accept North Carolina’s Volunteer of the Year award.

Also, Ed Adams was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for his role in defeating the proposed dam project of the 1970s. Opposition to the project was the inspiration for the NCNR.

State Sen. Steve Goss was in attendance to receive the Wallace and Peggy Carroll Vigilance Award.

“My heart has always been with the New River,” Goss said. “Having grown up here I know how special of a place it is to all of you and to see what the NCNR has accomplished is truly amazing and is an inspiration to all of us. I graciously accept this award as this goes to show that good things can happen with a collaborative effort.”

The Wallace and Peggy Carroll Vigilance Award honors former Winston-Salem Journal editor Wallace Carroll and wife, Peggy, in their efforts to thwart plans for two proposed dams that would have flooded recreational land.

NCNR Executive Director George Santucci presented Sen. Goss with this year’s award.

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to partake in refreshments and socialize as well as a cool dip into the magnificent New River.

The NCNR was formed in 1974 in reaction to two proposed dams that would flood 42,000 acres of land in northwestern North Carolina and southwestern Virginia via the New River. Since the NCNR’s stand, the association has helped defeat other initiatives that its members believe would have ruined the scenic tranquility of the river including.

The defeated projects include dams, power plants, and even a state supported prison.

The NCNR also works with private land owners in stabilizing eroding banks and this year has stabilized 11 miles of eroding banks along the New River.

In addition to working as an agent for protection, the NCNR also works as an advocacy group in terms of how land and water activities can either benefit or harm the New River.

The organization now harbors over 700 members in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. The New River Celebration is an annual event that alternates between the three states that the river runs through.

Activities for this year’s celebration began with an outline of the NCNR’s past expenditures as well as projected expenditures and income for the 2008 year. In 2006, the NCNR reported expenditures running a total of $318,207 and expected the 2008 numbers to be well over $500,000, a 60 percent increase.

Part of the reason for the increase is the NCNR’s expanding role in the New River community.

This year alone, 638 additional acres of land were added to the New River State Park as protected areas.

The NCNR also announced nominations for board membership for Bill Warden and Bob Kelley of Greensboro.