Bassett, VA — May 16, 2025 – The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), in partnership with the Eco Ambassador Council (EAC), The Harvest Foundation, Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, Henry County and other critical contributors, celebrated the completion of The WaterShed, a transformative outdoor education site located along the Smith River in Bassett, VA.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday, May 16, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the same time students from Snow Creek Elementary were participating in their trout fingerling release, which is the final stage of DRBA’s Trout in the Classroom program.
The WaterShed is an open-air pavilion that offers a permanent home for outdoor learning for the thousands of students who visit the river annually through DRBA’s and other organizations’ environmental programs. Over 100,000 youth have learned here, but until now, they lacked shelter and basic amenities.
“The WaterShed began as a vision to give our youth a stronger, more personal connection to the natural world—and seeing it come to life is incredibly rewarding,” said Brian Williams, former Program Manager at DRBA. “Before I retired, I dreamed of a place where learning could happen outside the four walls of a classroom, right along the Smith River. Thanks to the dedication of our partners and the support of this community, that dream is now a reality.”
“This project reflects our community’s shared vision for protecting our natural resources while investing in the next generation,” said Tyler Carter, EAC Representative from Carter Bank. “The Eco Ambassador Council was created to bring businesses together to drive regional change, and The WaterShed is a shining example of what collaboration can achieve.”
The Eco Ambassador Council, launched in 2020 by Carter Bank, has provided $35,750 toward The WaterShed’s total cost of $65,500, contributing the largest single funder portion. Other support includes significant grants from The Harvest Foundation and the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, with in-kind commitments from Henry County.
“The WaterShed outdoor education site reflects the kind of community-focused investment that aligns with our mission,” said DeWitt House, vice president of community investments at The Harvest Foundation. “By creating a hands-on learning opportunity for youth to learn and grow outside the classroom environment, this project promotes equitable access to learning and helps to build a healthy, vibrant MHC where every child can envision a bright future. We’re proud to partner with DRBA in supporting the next generation of environmental stewards.”
The WaterShed is designed not only for instruction but also to inspire—featuring interpretive signage, flexible learning spaces, and eventually, amenities like a pollinator garden and stormwater education features. The highly visible location along the Smith River is now a safer, more inviting space for hands-on, year-round learning.
“The Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia sees The WaterShed as a natural classroom,” said Michelle Eberly, Director, Grants and Donor Engagement. “It’s a place where education, environment, and community intersect in meaningful and lasting ways. The WaterShed represents the kind of forward-thinking, community-rooted project we’re proud to support. By investing in outdoor education, we’re helping to foster curiosity, responsibility, and a lasting connection to nature among our region’s youth.”
The ribbon-cutting event allowed funders to see the new facility in action and celebrate the collaboration that made it possible.
“The WaterShed is a tremendous asset for our community, providing a dedicated space where students can connect with the outdoors in a meaningful way,” said Roger Adams, Director of Henry County Parks and Recreation. “We’re proud to support a project that not only enhances environmental education but also encourages stewardship of the beautiful natural resources we’re so fortunate to have here in Henry County.”
Guests also had the opportunity to participate in a trout release, a beloved component of DRBA’s Trout in the Classroom program, founded in 2005 by EAC member, David Jones of Jones & DeShon Orthodontics, which is a hands-on environmental education initiative that connects students with local ecosystems by allowing them to raise trout from eggs to fingerlings in their classrooms during an entire school year.
Throughout the program, students learn about coldwater conservation, aquatic habitats, and the importance of protecting clean water. At the end of the school year, students release their trout into local rivers, fostering a lasting connection to nature and a deeper understanding of watershed stewardship.
Contact: Tiffany Haworth
Email: thaworth@danriver.org
Phone: (276) 340-0422 (cell)
Website: www.danriver.org
