South Rockfish Rural Historic District

Several members of the community have formed a committee under the Rockfish Valley Foundation to investigate a Rural Historic District designation for their area. It has been designated the South Rockfish Rural Historic District.

A rural historic district is a geographical area recognized for its historical significance by formal listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Listing an area as a Rural Historic District is an honorary designation that has real benefits in bringing communities together to protect their unique cultural, historic, and natural assets. It provides limited protection from certain Federal actions for buildings or landscapes in the district, as well as the possibility of tax credits for major building renovations.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources recommends submission of a Preliminary Information Form (PIF) for consideration before preparation of a full nomination. This is so the staff at VDHR can review and advise on the proposed historic district. The nomination will need to include a map with the proposed district boundaries as well as photographs of the primary resources that comprise the district.

Download the Preliminary Information Form (PIF) here

Download proposed district boundary map here

Posted in Conservation, Historic, RFV News, South Rockfish Historic District | No Comments »

BIRDING ALONG THE ROCKFISH VALLEY TRAIL SYSTEM

It is the time of year for some of the best birding along the trail system. the migratory birds, the weather and trail conditions all are excellent.

TIM HODGE, MARSHALL FAINTICH, PAUL DAVIS, and BILL AND PAGE KAMPMEIER as Volunteers for the Rockfish VAlley Foundation are along the trails most mornings. Feel free to ask them questions. Marshall will be taking 100s of photos each time he is there. There is a link to his website in the BIRDING SECTION of this website. TIME HODGE is now a freshman at Liberty University but can be found early on weekends along the trail. usually in his camouflage fatigues. Tim will conduct BIRD WALKS on the first Saturday of each month beginning in October. Meet at the Rockfish River Trail Head at the historic HURRICANE CAMILLE Marker at 7:30 AM. Walk normally lasts until 9:00 AM or so.

SEPTEMBER 25TH EVENT WILL BE SPECIAL. This is the 5th anniversary of the VA BIRDING TRAIL SYSTEM IN VIRGINIA. It is being celebrated with an event that begins at DEVILS BACKBONE Restaurand and Brewery on Friday September 25th at 8:00 AM. Meet at the Brewery and then select to join Tim Hodge and Marshall Faintich for birding along the Rockfish Valley Trails or a bird walk within Wintergreen. At the conclusion of these walks, return to Devil’s Backbone there will be speeches and refreshments. It should be a wonderful day. thanks to Jeff Trollinger, Steven Living and others from VA DGIF who have organized this and to Maureen Kelly from Nelson Tourism and Danna Quillen from Wintergreen for promoting it. Particular thanks to Tim Hodge and Marshall Faintich for sharing their knowledge of birds and birding along the trail system.

Peter Agelasto

Posted in RFV News | No Comments »

NELSON SCENIC LOOP is under construction

We are very pleased to announce that the Rockfish Valley Foundation is undertaking to create a travel opportunity and informational text in Nelson County which we have called the NELSON SCENIC LOOP.

The research, writing and website development are underway. We are pleased to have Jesús Najar, an Urban & Environmental Planning Masters candidate at the University of Virginia School of Architecture working for us this summer as lead developer. He is assisted by M.H.LA Liz Sargent, one of our very committed volunteers and a part time resident of Beech Grove. In addition we are working with Bluewall the website developer and social network creator run by Sara Pope and Peter Agelasto IV. Their intern Samantha Ashley is a valued member of their team for the summer.

You may follow the progress of the NELSON SCENIC LOOP at www.nelsonscenicloop.com.

It is a 50-mile auto and bike tour that follows four scenic byways and features Nelson’s bounty of natural, cultural, and historic attractions. There are a number of spurs that lead from it as optional discovery trails. Please let us have your comments.

Nelson Scenic Loop Goals

The Loop will:

• Promote the intrinsic natural, scenic, recreational, historic, cultural, and archeological qualities of Nelson County.
• Offer an authentic meaningful rural experience that will enrich the lives of visitors by highlighting connections between cultural activities and the natural world.
• Suggest opportunities for heritage tourism through regional branding and cooperative marketing, including Nelson County, in communities along the Loop.
• Encourage visitors to appreciate, respect, and experience Nelson County’s unique cultural landscape.
• Promote and enrich the Blue Ridge Parkway experience.

• Create a rural tourism model that can be replicated in other parts of Nelson and throughout rural Virginia.

Peter A. Agelasto III
June 1, 2009

Posted in Hurricane Camille, Nelson Scenic Loop, RFV News | No Comments »

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

SATURDAY weather for National Trails Day looks iffy. the trail will be open from the Rocfish River Trail Head up thru the Wintergreen winery for the day as a special accommodation from the Barnes family. please use the small gate at the upper end where the trail usually ends and stay on the mowed section until you reach the Wintergreen Winery. you can then walk to Beech Grove Road and Devil’s Backbone. And crossing RT 151 reach Glenthorne Loop and the Reid’s Creek Trail.

Also at 7:30 AM Tim Hodge will lead a bird walk from the Trail Head.

Enjoy

Posted in RFV News | No Comments »

Earth Day and Arbor day

ROCKFISH VALLEY FOUNDATION
Earth Day celebration –Wednesday, April 22, 2009

7:30 –9:00 AM
Early Bird walk in the Rockfish Valley. Meet at Rockfish River Trail head with Tim Hodge and Marshall Faintich.

9:00 AM – 3 PM
Hike and bring lunch. Walk on Crawford’s Knob with Chip Morgan. Moderate to difficult. Circumnavigate the hill via Turkey Scratch Trail from the Walnut side. To quote Chip: “it is a great walk, good stuff to see …and good exercise”.
Sign up requested. 434 361 2251. Space limited to 20.

6:00 PM – Barnyard tour
Rockfish Valley Farm barn yard tour with the Rockfish 6. LILLY, Stormy, Billy Goat, Blackie Goat , Seymour and Juilet as well as chickens, ducks and barn cats will welcome you.
Sign up requested. 434 361 2251. Space limited.

ROCKFISH VALLEY FOUNDATION
ARBOR DAY Celebration. Friday, April 24, 2009

9:30 – 11:30 AM
Trail walk and conversation with Martha Warring, Forester with the Department of Forestry in Nelson County; tree identification and discussion. Tree planting. Discussion of Riparian plantings. Unveiling of plans for Camille Memorial Park at Rockfish River Trail Head;;.. First 20 registered receive copy of theimportant new DOF tree book. DOF booklets and materials available for everyone. Bring your questions. Easy walking, Practical applications. Sign up requested. 434 361 2251.

Posted in RFV News | No Comments »

Rockfish Valley Kite Festival April 11th, 10 AM to 3 PM

Download the kitefestivalflyer PDF Flyer and get directions to the Kite Festival.

Posted in Events | No Comments »

A MESSAGE TO OUR VISITORS – WELCOME

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THE ROCKFISH VALLEY TRAIL SYSTEM AND SPRUCE CREEK PARK. THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED HERE, THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE AVAILABLE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED BY THE GENEROSITY OF OTHERS INCLUDING LOCAL FOUNDATION AND INDIVIDUALS. WE HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY THE ROCKFISH VALLEY AND HELP SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ROCKFISH VALLEY FOUNDATION.

Support provided by:
• The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge
• BAMA Works
• Charlottesville Area Community Foundation
• VA Dept of Highways and Transportation
• VA Dept of Environmental Quality
• VA Dept of Conservation and Recreation
• Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund
• Individual donors, volunteers
  and
• The Agelasto Familly

MISSION STATEMENT

The Rockfish Valley Foundation seeks to enrich the lives of the community and visitorswith a rurall-tourism experience in the Rockfish Valley. It Seeks to preserve the natural, historical, ecological and agricultural resources of the Rockfish Valley and to encourage recreation, an appreciation of nature and ahelathy lifestyle in the Rockfish Valley and elsewhere.

All about you is the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains and the picturesque Rockfish Valley. You will discover here the impact of Hurricane Camille and the significance of the Rockfish VAlley Fault and plate tectonics as well as the geologic history if this beautiful place. You will find this a spectuacular place to bird watch, walk and picnic.

We welcome your donations, volunteer support and enjoyment of this place.

www.rockfishvalley.org P O Box 235 Nellysford, Virginia 22958

Posted in Chairman's Report, RFV News | No Comments »

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Birding Trail celebrates 5th anniversary

2009 marks the fifth anniversary of the completion of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, the nation’s first statewide wildlife viewing trail, with more than 600 sites. The Piedmont Phase (the last of the three regional phases including the Coastal and Mountain regions) was dedicated at Monticello in September 2004. Virginia has one of the highest diversities of birds in the eastern United States, with nearly 400 resident and migratory bird species.The state also boasts one of the highest diversities of all wildlife in the eastern United States, with over 3,000 species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, mussels, crayfish, birds, mammals, butterflies and dragonflies.

Posted in Birding, Trail, Wildlife | No Comments »

ROCKFISH VALLEY KITE FESTIVAL – APRIL 11 – 10 AM UNTIL 3 pm. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Posted in RFV News | No Comments »

Blue Ridge Parkway clebrates 75th anniversary

In 2010 Virginia will be celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America’s favorite scenic drives. The parkway is the most visited unit of the National Park System and winds its way through the highest mountains in the East. Incredible vistas, lush mountain backdrops, hiking trails, overlooks, endangered wildlife and an abundance of flora and fauna have greeted visitors here for generations. Look for special events along the Parkway as 2010 approaches.

Posted in RFV News | No Comments »