From left: Sue Adams, National RC&D President Sharon Ruggi, Old Dominion RC&D Vice Chair Carlyle Wimbish and State Chairman Jerry Walker

NEWS RELEASE

Old Dominion RC&D Cited For Two Awards

Old Dominion Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) took home two awards from the Virginia Association of RC&D Councils’ annual Awards Banquet on Thursday night, May 19, 2005. In a ceremony held at Pamplin Park in Petersburg, Sue Adams received the award for “Outstanding Performance by a Staff Member” and Council Vice Chair Carlyle Wimbish accepted the award for “Outstanding Council Project” for the Civil Rights In Education Heritage Trail.

Mrs. Adams has provided administrative assistance to the RC&D Council for thirteen years. She has been a constant force during transitional times. Council projects progressed, grants were managed and decisions were made during times when the executive director position was vacant.

The major focus of the RC&D Council for the past five years has been completing the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. The trail, a driving tour through 300 miles of educational history in Southside Virginia, has 41 unique sites which detail the efforts to obtain equal education for African Americans, American Indians, the developmentally challenged and women. Mrs. Adams worked with local contacts to glean historical facts and obtain photos for each site. She worked with the core committee, historian, sign writer and scores of individuals in planning the trail. She contacted landowners, obtained easements, made appointments and answered questions. Mrs. Adams’ organization skills have been a tremendous asset to Old Dominion RC&D Council on this project and many others.

The Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail recognized as project of the year, officially opened in May of 2004. Travelers will learn how education has changed over the years in Southside Virginia. Some of the interpretive signs explain the unselfish efforts of individuals while others relate to the closing of a county public education system. The trail encompasses 300 years of history, beginning with Governor Spottswood spending his own money to educate American Indians through the peaceful movements by African Americans for equal education in the 1950s and 60s.

The trail marks the newest historic tourism destination in Virginia and will drive economic development in Southside Virginia.  It is managed by Virginia’s Retreat, a regional tourism marketing consortium comprising the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Prince Edward, and the City of Petersburg. The Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail is a key tourism feature turning history into economic stimulus and was recognized as the outstanding RC&D project in the state for 2004.

Contact: Sue Adams, 434-542-5489

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status.  (not all bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD.)

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC  20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.