Community Fund 2021 Awardees | UVA Wise Oxbow Center

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2024 AWARDEES

Town of Cleveland | $26,280

Tank Hollow Falls Improvements — The Town of Cleveland will make several public access site improvements at the Cleveland Barrens Natural Area Preserve trailhead, to include bringing the handicapped parking space into current ADA specifications, expanding parking, adding exclusion fencing and improving directional signage from town.

Town of Dungannon | $10,000

Clinch River Research and Learning Center — The Town of Dungannon received a grant from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation to purchase property next to the public boat landing of the Clinch River and to replace an abandoned building with a post and steel structure to serve as the River Research and Learning Center. This is the first aquatic research center established on the Clinch River, and it is expected to be heavily used by the public schools and colleges to study the mussels and other aquatic life in the Clinch and to monitor water quality. The CFCF provides funding to install the HVAC system.

Town of Richlands | $8,720

Critterville Playground Renovations — The Town of Richlands’ Critterville playground area at Williams Field Park was originally constructed through a community building process in 1997. Over the past 25 years, the playground has become a fixture within the community and a regional asset where generations of area youth have played and grown. Strategic renovations will be made to make the playground safer and to expand available playground equipment.

Appalachian Sustainable Development | $15,000

Growing Together Community Garden — Appalachian Sustainable Development’s (ASD) mission is to grow a stronger Appalachia through agriculture. The Growing Together Community Garden is a space for the community of Tazewell to learn together, share together,and grow together. Funding irrigation infrastructure for this garden will improve accessibility for visitors and gardeners, increasing capacity, production and functionality.

Breaks Interstate Park | $5,000

Rock Climbing Initiatives — Due to the high quantity of beautiful sandstone cliffs hiding above the river, Breaks has seen a substantial amount of climbing route development over the past ten years. With high quality climbing in a very accessible state park, Breaks has seen an influx of individuals who travel to the park for the sake of enjoying the climbing it has to offer. The project will foster more community engagement, climbing ethics and safe practices for those practicing climbing in the area.

Friends of the Buchanan County Library | $10,000

Composting for a Better Future" Community Education Series — "Composting for a Better Future" will introduce the composting and vermicomposting to the Buchanan community. This program is an extension of an established homesteading curriculum and where library patrons will have new access to educational resources and the unique ability to check out composting equipment. The project will also create new raised garden beds and provide garden starting equipment that will be used to demonstrate various techniques for beginner gardeners.

Mountain Kids, Inc. | $15,000

Summer Camp Series — Mountain Kids Inc. offers five summer camps each year. These camps include a camp highlighting world culture, high adventures camp, nature and survival skills, a camp focused on creative creatures and animals as well as multiple art opportunities. Support by the CFCF will be used to support staff wages, as well as to purchase supplies that can be reused each year.

2023 AWARDEES

Friends of Southwest Virginia | $19,000

The Tyler Flanary pump track and skate park will provide an opportunity to connect enthusiasts to the world-class mountain biking resources of the region, as well as produce events in the Town of Big Stone Gap. A pump track includes a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed for mountain bikes that will cater to locals and visitors. The track will provide an opportunity for mountain bikers of all ages to develop skills, get outside and create community. The pump track will be open daylight to dark and will feature competitions, public events and fun for a wide range of skill levels.

Appalachian Voices | $15,000

The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia is working to build a locally rooted solar industry in service to the regional and collaborative efforts around economic diversification. The group came together in 2016 with a shared goal of promoting solar energy as a way to build on our region’s strong history as an energy producer. Their Solar Finance Fund is a regional resource to catalyze commercial and institutional scale solar projects in coal impacted counties in Central Appalachia. The allocated funds will support solar deployment and rooftop installation for one high impact community anchor institution in the region.

Town of Cleveland | $5,000

Through local partnerships, The Nurturing Nature: A Beautification Project, seeks to promote sustainable development and conservation of the environment. The Riverbend Campground tree-planting initiative aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the campground and public park access. The project will consist of planting a variety of native trees and shrubs to create a colorful and vibrant landscape that will provide ample shade, economic benefit to the community, and enhance community engagement and participation.

Clinch River Valley Initiative | $11,500

CRVI’s marketing initiative will support the promotion of outdoor recreation assets along the Clinch River and help expand community capacity building around tourism. Engaging citizens as good stewards of their lands and waters will enhance community pride, while at the same time help to conserve our natural resources. CRVI’s efforts continue to strengthen regional collaboration and communication within the Clinch River Valley, while also promoting the assets and outdoor recreational opportunities to individuals outside of the region.

Town of Wise, VA | $15,000

The Bear Creek Reservoir, located in the Town of Wise is a popular public area for outdoor recreation. The Reservoir includes picnic shelters, a boat launch, and walking and biking trails for the community to enjoy. The Town of Wise is currently working to expand the trails at Bear Creek and continue promoting an active lifestyle through outdoor recreation opportunities. The Cumberland Forest Community Fund will support the repairs and updates to the existing restroom facilities.

Town of Lebanon, VA | $15,000

The Town of Lebanon received funding to upgrade the surface of one of the frequently visited playgrounds located within the town. This project will significantly contribute to the town’s efforts to provide more attractions and public gathering spaces to the community as well as visitors. Providing upgrades to the local parks will provide more outdoor recreation opportunities and further expand the economic impact of the town’s recent Downtown Revitalization project.

Town of Pennington Gap, VA | $12,000

The outdoor classroom in Pennington Gap is located on the Pennington Gap Greenway along the Powell River near Pennington Middle School and is an excellent resource for outdoor education. The outdoor classroom currently consists of a concrete tiered seating area with a flat concrete space for teaching and was constructed with funds from the first round of the Cumberland Forest Community Fund and the Town of Pennington Gap. With the additional funding, the classroom will be expanded to include educational signage, accessibility adjustments, native plants and pollinator gardens, educational stations for weather and wildlife, and compost bins.

Breaks Interstate Park | $30,000

Since 2015, the Breaks Interstate Park has developed over 300 high quality climbing routes for rock climbers of different skill levels. The Breaks Interstate Park was an award recipient of the first round of the Cumberland Forest Community Fund, and additional funding will support the improvement of existing trails and construct new trails to foster additional climbing access. Through their partnership with the Central Appalachian Climber’s Coalition, new routes will be established to provide a greater selection for rock climbing in the park. In addition to the climbing expansion, the Breaks Interstate Park will create a Climbing Master Plan which will guide future development of the park's rock-climbing resources.

SWVA Sportsmen | $15,000

SWVA Sportsmen is working to create additional wildlife viewing opportunities in Southwest Virginia to increase tourism and attract visitors to the area. Over the past several years, this project has created its own industry in the region and the number of wildlife tours is steadily increasing. SWVA Sportsmen received funding from the first round of Cumberland Forest Community Fund, and with additional funding will allow them to expand their habitat restoration efforts and provide additional wildlife food plots for elk in Buchanan County.

Town of St. Paul | $2,500

The Wetlands Estonoa Learning Center consists of indoor and outdoor learning venues and a half-mile walking loop trail around the certified wetlands. The Center facilitates a zero-cost environmental educational program for students of all ages to engage in experiential learning. The Cumberland Forest Community Fund supported the first phase of the span bridge that overlooks the wetlands and connects the half-mile trail. The allocated funds will allow the project to complete the construction and provide greater access to the wetlands.

2021 AWARDEES

Appalshop

Pound River Access — $9,850