Giles County Awarded “Keep Virginia Beautiful” Grant
Giles Administration was pleased to learn a few months ago that they would be recipients of a Keep Virginia Beautiful – 30 Grants in Thirty Days program grant. Giles had applied for funding in the recycling category.
The project award enabled construction of monofilament and fluorocarbon fishing line recycling tubes for all boat ramps on the Giles’ section of the New River, which did not yet have them. The funding has additionally enabled tubes to be constructed for future boat ramps that are now in the planning stages.
As well as recycling tubes, the funds have allowed an informational brochure to be developed that describes the environmental importance of keeping fishing line out of our waterways. Used fishing line is harmful to wildlife, boats and humans. It can endanger fish, birds, turtles and other aquatic mammals. Swimmers can become entangled and it can wrap around boat propellers. Giles County is fortunate to have several outdoor outfitters that have taught environmental stewardship for many years. These brochures are intended to further expand the reach of this message.
When a significant amount of the fishing line is collected from the tubes, it will be boxed and sent to Berkley Fishing where it is melted down and recycled into items such as fish habitat structures, tackle boxes, etc.
Collaborators in this venture, in addition to Keep Virginia Beautiful, the Giles County PSA, and ReNew The New, include the Berkley Fishing/Conservation Institute and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Additionally, some content for the brochures was utilized from the excellent programs of Florida Fish and Wildlife and Washington State Fish and Wildlife. Finally, the BoatUS Foundation provided instructional stickers for the tubes.
Please join in the effort to keep the 37 miles of the Giles County New River beautiful for all to enjoy.
To learn more about the New River and the Giles County area and activities, please visit online at: www.GilesCounty.org; ReNewtheNew.org; or NewRiverWaterTrail.com
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Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079. For interviews or onsite visits, please contact Cora Gnegy, Tourism Marketing Director. We can arrange and assist with any media needs. For more information about planning your visit to Giles County or about activities and events, please visit www.gilescounty.org or contact us at tourism@gilescounty.org.