
Household
Hazardous Waste Day
May 4,
2008
August 3, 2008
November 2, 2008
Fall Waterway Cleanup Day
October
4,
2008

Earth
Summit
November 6,
2008

Calendar

Our
Mission

Environmental Education Programs
Clean Valley Day
Critters Against Litter
Clean Valley Awards
Earth Day
Other
Projects
Board of Directors
Contact
Us
Conservation is a
Virginia Value...And a Constitutional Right
"To the end that the people have clean air, pure water,
and the use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters and
other natural resources, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to
conserve, develop and utilize its natural resources, its public lands and its
historical sites and buildings.
Further, it shall be the Commonwealth's policy to protect
its atmosphere, lands and waters from pollution, impairment or destruction
for the benefit, enjoyment and general welfare of the people of the
Commonwealth."
~ Article XI, Virginia Constitution
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(540) 345-5523
Clean Valley Council
P.O. Box 523
Roanoke Valley, VA 24003-0523 |
~or~
Jefferson Center
541 Luck Ave, Suite 319
Roanoke Valley, VA 24016 |
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“For
better or worse, for richer or poorer – a sacred vow that tells
us nature knows no boundaries on the environment. The earth is
good when we care for it and the poorest people in the world
seem to live in the most fragile, ecologically sensitive part of
the planet”, observed Lester Brown. The Washington Post calls
him “one of the world’s most influential thinkers.” The
Telegraph of Calcutta calls him “the guru of the environmental
movement.”
I
have a VRA tote bag that says, “it is so easy to make a
difference” and it reminds me
everyday I can make a difference and so can each of you
with small effortless habits. I used to speak of the 3 R’s – now
there are many R’s. Reduce, respect, recycle, reuse, run-off (stormwater),
replenish, replant, rethink . . .just some words I can think of
to “re”. I use these words to provoke your thoughts. Why do we
do this thing, we environmentalists, for the planet? or at least
our own small part of the planet. Clean Valley Council, a non
profit agency for 29 years, has connected the people with
conservation and preservation for the five valley
municipalities.
I believe part
of my personal journey began on my grandfather’s farm in my
childhood summers. I met the earth head on with animal care,
picking from the kitchen garden and riding the plow horse to the
creek for water at the end the day. My grandfather taught me to
listen to find bee swarms. I’m sure I could still find the fox
grapes. I believe we have little to do with our journey. Our
life tapestry weaves itself as we work and play. If we listen
this journey happens.
Clean Valley offers classroom
outreach for the broad diversity of the greater Roanoke Valley.
Here in the gorgeous Blue Ridge, our currency is the student
community. CVC’s talented educators through the years have inspired
encouraged and demonstrated responsible waste management. This opportunity is free to the
schools, both public and private.
We show how our personal welfare hinges on the condition of our
natural environment. We enjoy the thrill of the eager
students and the seasons that beckon them to the outside world. They each in their own life may make
change for the betterment of the environment in any position they
choose.
Clean Valley initiated the first Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
with the Junior League of Roanoke Valley. We collected 30,000 used books for
Kenya in the Books for Africa project with Cycle Systems and had Critters
Don’t Need Litter come to the valley for the schools. Our office wrote 3
statewide grant proposals that provided the products for our peers across
the commonwealth to take into the
classrooms for students.
One
of the things we are most proud is the Earth Summit. In its 8th year, it is
a congress for junior and senior high
representatives from all the high schools in the valley. This one day is filled with presenters
and workshops. It is the only one of its kind offered in the commonwealth. It is the first Thursday in November
at the Roanoke Higher Education Center.
Clean Valley like to start things. Our volunteers are good stewards. Would
you like to become one?
An
unknown source once wrote, Measure your wealth not by the things you have,
but by the things you have for which you would not take money.
Warmest regards,
Ann D. Masters
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