The Eco Ambassador Council (EAC) is a coalition of regional businesses that combine their investment to protect, promote and preserve the environment in the Dan River Basin. Recently the EAC donated $8,000 to the Patrick County Tourism Department in Virginia to enhance the I.C. DeHart Trail System. Patrick County Tourism is working closely with the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) who will manage the improvements to the trail. The improvements will include new signage, trail map, changing station and trail benches.
“We are very grateful to receive funding for the Woolwine Trail System and hope to keep the spotlight shining on such an invaluable part of the county, “noted Sandra Belcher, Director of Tourism for Patrick County. “One major benefit of trail tourism is that it is money spent in rural towns and in more economically disadvantaged areas. Many of the people traveling to a trail and spending a night or more in the area are economically well off and have significant discretionary income.”
The I.C DeHart Trail System was established in 2009 with 8 miles of trail. Over the years, the trail has grown to over 16 miles. Volunteers have invested countless hours building and expanding mountain biking trails on the property. The beautiful trail system is still however, not well-known outside of Patrick County, VA.
“I’m extremely happy to be working with all the new partners on finalizing this fantastic trail system. The new signage will make this massive trail system easy to navigate for all users,” said Daren Layman, “New dressing rooms are in the near future thanks to donated labor from the Patrick County High School building trades class. We are lucky to have so many talented people interested in this project.”
“My husband and I love mountain biking at the park. We work with other volunteers to maintain the trails,” said Katy Miller, a volunteer who lives in Woolwine, Patrick County VA. “The new maps and signage will help people plan their visit or figure out a route as they go. The new beginner mountain biking trail, opening this spring, introduces kids to the fun of exploring the woods on a bicycle.”
Brian Williams, Virginia Program Manager for the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), is leading the project and has gathered a stakeholder group of volunteers with expertise in design of International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)-style trail building, GIS mapping and local bikers who had accomplished much of the previous trail construction. Fieldwork and planning of the project began in December and the enhancements are expected to be completed in June.
DRBA “has been a leader in multi-use trail building in our region for 20 years,” said Williams. “More than 1.5 million Virginians and North Carolinians live within 50 miles of the I.C. DeHart Trail System. The improvements to this trail system will provide a unique outdoor recreational experience attracting additional visitors to system will provide a unique outdoor recreational experience attracting additional visitors to enhance the local economy. This trail system was in need of improvements for user safety and experience and the financial investment of the EAC will kick-start a new chapter for this hidden gem.”
The EAC believes that local companies can be forces for positive change and that their influence doesn’t begin and end with a check. Over recent years, it has become very clear that people in our region want and need opportunities for outdoor recreation.
“The Eco Ambassador Council is proud to partner with the Patrick County Tourism Department to enhance the I.C DeHart Trail System – which we view to be a great regional asset,” said Tyler Carter, Chairman of the EAC and Community Reinvestment Administrator at Carter Bank & Trust. “We expect these enhancements to further boost trail tourism in Patrick County and have a positive economic impact locally.”
Current EAC members include Blair Construction, Carter Bank & Trust, Clark Gas & Oil, Frith Construction, The Lester Group, Hooker Furniture and Jones & DeShon Orthodontics. Each business has pledged an annual donation of $5,000 and a commitment to encourage their employees to participate in EAC projects. The EAC started in 2020 and is open to all businesses in the Dan River Basin that want to make a visible impact in the region.
Regional businesses are welcome to join the EAC year-round and become an active member of this innovative and influential partnership of business leaders. Contact Tyler Carter at Carter Bank & Trust, Tyler.Carter@CBTcares.com or (540) 493-0582 for more information.