Interested in Clinch River Valley Merchandise?
Celebrate your Clinch River Valley pride with a new T-Shirt! By purchasing a shirt today, you can help support the Town of Cleveland while also showing your love for the Clinch River Valley. T-Shirts come in the colors Beige, Blue, Yellow, Dark Grey, Light Grey. Sizes range from Small-XXL. Purchase Here.
The Town of Dungannon is now selling “Clinch” hats for $20. They are offered in Navy, Stone, and Hunter Green. Make sure to pick up a Clinch hat the next time you are in town!
The Clinch River Valley Initiative Action Plan highlights the background, vision, goals, action items, and next steps for the five action groups of the Initiative. This comprehensive plan also encompasses the strategic vision and details of each action groups’ work and progress since the project began in the fall of 2010.
The Clinch River Valley Initiative (CRVI) is a collaborative effort in Southwest Virginia, focusing on the Clinch River Valley—one of the most biodiverse river systems in North America. Working at a watershed scale with many local partners, this grassroots effort has developed significant momentum with applicability for communities in Appalachia and beyond.
Utilizing a consensus-based approach, project partners have developed goals for connecting downtown revitalization press, outdoor recreation, water quality, entrepreneurship, and environmental education along the Clinch River, and are taking action to realize the prioritized goals. The project connects to cultural and natural heritage efforts including Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway, ‘Round the Mountain, Crooked Road, and other artisan networks and local efforts. Finally, the effort builds upon the unique cultural and ecological assets of the Clinch River to create new possibilities in the communities along the Clinch, particularly around environmental education, economic development, and entrepreneurship.
Please send feedback regarding the Action Plan to Christine Gyovai at IEN mcg4k@virginia.edu
Building on a shared vision for the Clinch River Valley, five active action groups are currently making substantial efforts around five goal areas as part of the Initiative:
Vision Statement: By 2020, the Clinch River Valley will be a global destination based on its unique biodiversity, natural beauty, cultural attractions, and outdoor opportunities. This collaboration will bring measurable economic, environmental, and social benefits to the region’s communities while protecting the Clinch’s globally rare species.
Goal 1: Develop a Clinch River State Park.
Goal 2: Develop and integrate access points, trails, and campgrounds along the Clinch River.
Goal 3: Enhance water quality in the Clinch River.
Goal 4: Develop and enhance environmental education opportunities for all community members in the Clinch River watershed.
Goal 5: Connect and Expand Downtown Revitalization, Marketing and Entrepreneurial Development Opportunities in the Clinch River Valley.
The Clinch River Valley Initiative originated at a forum in the fall of 2010 around Building Local Economies in Southwest Virginia. Since that time, many meetings have been held as part of the Clinch River Valley Initiative, with numerous community events and meetings planned for 2016 and beyond. The Clinch River Accomplishments Document (Abridged Version) is a cumulative document that highlights the collaborative progress of the Initiative throughout the Southwest Virginia region. The Initiative is coordinated by the Institute for Environmental Negotiation at the University of Virginia and is supported by numerous local, regional, and state partners.
Special thanks to USDA Forest Service/ Virginia Department of Forestry, Appalachian Regional Commission/ Dept. of Housing and Community Development, Blue Moon Fund, & the University of Virginia, and the Virginia Tourism Commission for supporting this effort.