As the saying goes “we all live downstream.” But at The Downstream Project it’s more than a saying. It’s the underlying principle behind everything we do, beginning with our flagship 2009 film, Shenandoah: Voices of the River. This 52-minute documentary examines the history, ecology, and beauty of this treasured natural resource—and the potentially devastating impacts on its future. In all of our omni-media efforts we continue to utilize this “in their own words” approach to capture and convey the energy and passion and commitment of our project partners and their missions.
In the words of TDP founder George Ohrstrom: “The hope is that people will educate themselves and stand up and become a voice for downstream issues because they are exceedingly important to all of us.”
Jefferson County Vision‘s event on April 13 at Breaux Vineyards is billed as a “Celebration”, and for sure, this organization’s commitment to “Preserving the Quality of Life of Our Blue Ridge” is worth celebrating. But let’s not forget that imminent environmental threats to our community are serious, impactful, and will affect generations to come. Join […]
Despite the fact that site work has begun on a planned 460,000-square-foot insulation factory on 130 acres in Ranson, W.Va., opposition to the project continues to grow — within Jefferson County and beyond. The Rockwool insulation plant would crush and melt rock using coal and natural gas. Although the proposed plant’s owner, the multi-national ROXEL, has already […]
Virginia Working Landscapes and The Downstream Project hosted a do-it-yourself environmental sensor workshop funded by the U.S. EPA, April 4–5 along the Shenandoah River in Clarke County, Va. Participants learned to build and use the open-source, Arduino-based real-time environmental monitoring systems, which offer individuals, communities, and organizations a low-cost alternative for monitoring water quality, quantity, […]
by George Ohrstrom II As a member of Virginia’s conservation community following the actions of the General Assembly, I was both excited and fearful to see the recently released proposed budget numbers. I knew that both the House and Senate versions would be different, but I did not expect to read what I did. We […]
Two Downstream Project partners invite everyone to join in their annual Christmas Bird Counts. The event was started in 1899 by the National Audubon Society and now takes place across the country. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s count is scheduled for Thursday, December 28, in Loudoun County, Va. The count circle has a 15-mile diameter, covering 177 […]
Elks Run is a small watershed in Jefferson County, W.Va., that drains about 18 square miles. Wending through mostly private lands, the small stream is hidden from view except where crosses beneath bridges on public road. But the people of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar know it well because it serves as municipal the drinking water […]
