Virginia NFC Helps Launch Native Fish Snorkel Trail...
Damascus, Virgina, town employees hold the ends of the ribbon commemorating the launch of a snorkel trail, while Julie Kroll, Damascus Recreation Manager; Katie Lamb, Mayor of Damascus; and Virginia NFC Chair Michael Smith prepare to cut the ribbon...
After months of work by the Virginia chapter of NFC and others, and delays resulting from the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, Katie Lamb, Mayor of Damascus, VA, formally dedicated the state’s first snorkel trail at Damascus Town Park.
Like many Appalachian towns, Damascus was inundated by flood water due to Helene. More than a dozen homes were destroyed and many others damaged. While most of the national media focus was on western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, the hurricane impacted southwest Virginia as well.
Regardless of the challenges, VA NFC and the town of Damascus Recreation Director Julie Kroll agreed to forge ahead with what was to become the first snorkel trail in Virginia and VA NFCs first boots-on-the-ground project.
“We were pretty discouraged about the prospects for our project, but my board and I were sick about what Helene had done to Damascus.”
(Left to Right) Julie Kroll, Katie Lamb, Michael Smith, and Jake Smith, Jefferson National Forest Recreation Program Manager at the snorkel trail kiosk at Damascus Town Park...
The driving force behind the the snorkel trail was VA NFC board member and ong-time snorkeler and underwater photographer Loughran Cabe. Loughran’s volunteer work on behalf of organizations such as NFC (he serves on both our OH and VA boards) and Conservation Fisheries, Inc., have gained him credibility and expertise well beyond his age.
Loughran introduced VA NFC to the “founding father” of the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trails, Luke Etchison of the North Carolina Wildlife Commission. Luke shared his time and knowledge and offered helpful insights on how to create a successful snorkel trail. Thanks to Luke, NC now has a dozen snorkel trails.
Loughran also introduced VA NFC to Mike Pinder, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources nongame fish specialist. Mike co-authored Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Virginia, an invaluable resource for VA fish enthusiasts.
VA and OH NFC board member Loughran Cabe…
At the launch, VA NFC Chair Michael Smith (below left) and VA Department of Wildlife Resources nongame fisheries biologist Mike Pinder (below right) spoke about the two streams, Beaver Dam Creek and Laurel Creek, that converge in Town Park and the rich biodiversity, including dozens of native fish species, several of which are rare.
The day before the snorkel trail launch, Mike Pinder with help from colleagues Maddie Cogar and Hayley Bordwine, electro-fished Beaver Dam Creek upstream of town to collect some fish samples. A fish tank with native darters, shiners, and chubs was displayed at the event.
Multiple attendees at the trail launch donned a mask and snorkel to see what they could find. Several participants reported seeing multiple native fish species.
Brendan Murphy (center in wetsuit) a naturalist educator with the Blue Ridge Discovery Center, explains how snorkelers can maintain their position while watching fish…
Visitors looking to experience the snorkel trail in Damascus Town Park can utilize one of the ten mask/snorkel sets available to loan for free from the Damascus Trail Center (run by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy). These items were donated to the town and center by the Virginia chapter of NFC.
VA NFC looks to expand snorkel trails into other areas of the state using what they learned in Damascus. You can follow VA NFC on Facebook or on the VA NFC webpage on the NFC website.
All pictures above courtesy of VA NFC board member Lars Antoniszczak.
special thanks to va nfc board members michael smith, loughran cabe, and lars Antoniszczak; Damascus Recreation Manager Julie Kroll, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources nongame fish specialist Mike Pinder, and everyone else who helped make this unique public information and education resource a reality.
