Thirty Seven miles of the New River flow through Giles County.
Since 2007 our focus has been to keep it clean and healthy for generations to come.
The New River is the oldest river in North America. Some people think it is the oldest river in the world. There are 7 kinds of fish in the New River that are not found anywhere else in the entire World. The New River, unlike almost all other rivers, flows South to North.
The ReNew the New sponsors two annual river clean-ups. In the spring is “Ramps ‘n’ Roads” and in the fall, “Fall Into the New”. Anyone interested in protecting and renewing the beautiful New River is welcome to join in.
WE SET OUT TO CREATE AWARENESS.
WE ENDED UP CREATING A SENSE OF PLACE, A SENSE OF PRIDE, AND A COMMUNITY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR 37 MILES OF THE RIVER.
Serious about protecting the New River, the group has already spearheaded a push for making penalties for littering more enforceable, supported the County in erecting boat ramp kiosks for use by DGIF, installed trash-pick-up bag dispensers at boat ramps; and collaborated with the Giles County Sheriff’s department in the apprehension of felons perpetrating graffiti offenses on the Ripplemead bridge abutments. ReNew The New is all about the New River!
ANN GEOTTE
River lover extraordinaire! Writer, friend and everyone’s favorite person to work beside.
CHRIS MCKLARNEY
Chris provides manpower, heavy equipment, and financial support every year without question. We couldn’t, and wouldn’t want to, do it without he and his staff.
CHARLIE MULLINS
Charlie is also an excellent project manager who helps make sure the clean-ups have the equipment and people needed each year.
PAUL MOODY
Paul Moody has played a vital role in ReNew the New since its inception. Paul is an avid river lover and boasts the tagline “Let the river love on ya!” on his marketing materials.
Not shown yet, but every bit as important are Nicole Herschel and Hunter Hancock.
Nicole represents ReNew for all of the New River Valley and has been vital in our expansion and growing efforts.
Hunter is one of the newest committee members and we hope to add more about him very soon.
DAVE YOLTON
Dave Yolton has been a part of the ReNew the New Committee since its beginnings.
MIKE BOSTIC
A hard working, dedicated committee member and generous contributor of gifts to those who’ve achieved recognition in ReNew the New.
RALPH ROBERTSON
Known for his profound knowledge of the local landscape, passion for its care and upkeep, and character as a “doer,” Robertson has played a key role in developing and advocating for outdoor recreation in Giles County.
LYNN STAFFORD
Lynn works hard every year on both land and in the river. You can find her captaining land crews during Ramps N Roads and often rowing the raft during Fall Into the New.
Frank Gough 2011 Lawman of The Year
ReNew The New is a group dedicated to the stewardship of Giles County’s thirty-seven miles of the New River. To acknowledge his decades of exemplary service as Game Warden on the New River, ReNew established an award in Frank Gough’s name three years ago. Each year the award is presented to a law enforcement officer who has performed high service for the New River. This year Deputy Sheriff Melvin Dalton was named ReNew’s Frank Gough 2011 Lawman of The Year. He received a plaque and an engraved knife–donated by Mike Bostic of Pembroke Stop & Save– in recognition of his work on behalf of the New River.
All litter dumped within the New River watershed will eventually make its way to the river. Officer Dalton receives more than one thousand calls a year reporting litter and animal control offences. He investigates illegal dumpsites on both public and private land, and coordinates the cleanup of those dumpsites. His dedicated performance of his duties in over eleven years with GCSO has merited Officer Melvin Dalton ReNew The New’s Frank Gough Award.. Read More
Conservation Police Officer Frank Gough accepting an award from Ann Goette of the Re-New the New Committee for his dedication in protecting our New River from the type of illegal tire dumping you see to the left.
Remembering Hale
Committee Member John K. Hale, a long standing and much loved volunteer of ReNew the New. John left a void in the communities and county in which he served tirelessly volunteering when he passed away in 2015. “Hale’s Landing”, the Bluff City boat landing has been redesigned, paved and renamed in his honor.
THE CREWS
- DIVE TEAM
- ON-WATER EMS UNITS (SWIFT WATER RESCUE) – 2
- EMS LAND UNITS – 2 AND MARKED PATROL UNITS FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL – 2
- HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS (RUBBER TRACK BACKHOE, MINI EXCAVATOR, HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, AND BOBCAT: 1 AT EACH ROLL OFF SITE – 3)
- SUPPORT STAFF – 6 (PICKUP TRUCKS FOR EQUIPMENT PICK-UP, SHUTTLE, RETURN, ETC.)
- INMATE WORK CREW AND SECURITY STAFF
Here stand some of our team members who do it all with smile. Always there working hard captaining on water teams or working on equipment to clean up areas not accessible by boat. We want to thank the PSA for their important role in hauling off the debri, trash and tires.
Throughout the years, those who have participated in ReNew the New to the point of “above and beyond” received the River Steward Awards & Law Officer recognition awards. Pictured Above: Chris McKlarney, Charlie Mullins, Mike Bostic, Paul Moody, Ann Geotte, Dave Yolton, and Ralph Robertson.
Eric Gentry
Charlie Mullins and DGIF
John Copeland
Sheriff Millirons receiving Law Officer recognition award
Original Crew
Back Row: Lloyd.D.Bonifacio, John Copeland, Brit Stoudenmire, Paul and Alisa Moody, Dave Yolton, Eric Gentry, Chris McKlarney, John Hail, Frank Gough, George Caldwell – Front Row: Krystal, Leight Stoudenmire, Ann Goette, Courtney Wait.
Support Team
These women put out a wonderful lunch spread for the volunteers and staff. Food was donated by Sheana Muldoon of the Palisades Restaurant.