The New River Land Trust is part of an ongoing restoration project that aims to restore the North Fork of the Roanoke River. The Headwaters of the Roanoke River Restoration Project works with landowners and partners to return the river to a more natural and less degraded state.

This restoration takes the form of tree planting along the river's banks and flood plains. The banks of the river are stabilized using felled trees and stone. Stones are used to stabilize the bank and channel water towards the middle of the river, reducing erosion. Additionally, livestock are fenced out of the river and given an alternative water source.

This restoration project is especially important because of the unique ecosystem it targets. The tributaries of the Roanoke, Chowan, and Dan Rivers are the only places in the world where the Roanoke Logperch survives. The fish is a federally listed endangered species that is threatened by the degradation of the Roanoke River.  

The best thing about restoration is, if done right, the results are compounding, and the benefits cascading. By restoring the river on one property, we affect the river on other properties as well. The benefits of restoration literally flow downstream to the rest of the ecosystem. It is remarkable how much change can be achieved when we work with nature rather than against it. Through collaboration with our partners and landowners, the New River Land Trust strives to strengthen the bonds between the community and the land through thoughtful and meaningful restoration of the North Fork.  

Partners: Virginia Environmental Endowment, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources