Greetings,
I wish to start by saying thank you to Melissa, who will soon be off
trekking the Appalachian Trail over the next six or seven months. Without
her presence at the Northern Neck Audubon Society’s (NNAS) booth during the
Heathsville’s farmers market in late August of 2017, I might not have made
the connection to this organization. I would also like to thank my fellow
board members for the opportunity to fill this role, for at least the next
four months.
This should be an exciting year for us in the NNAS, we have two very
important anniversaries to celebrate. The first of these is July 12th;
Hickory Hollow will officially turn 20! It is because of the tireless
efforts of many people that we are still able to enjoy it. When Lancaster
County decided it would make an excellent Industrial Park, the “Friends of
Hickory Hollow” was established to stop that. Later with some matching
funds from the State, the NNAS purchased the property from Lancaster County
and on July 12, 2000 the 254 acres of Hickory Hollow were dedicated as a
Natural Area Preserve.
The second anniversary is our very own 50th Anniversary as a Chapter of the
National Audubon Society. On December 16, 1970 the Northern Neck Audubon
Society received a provisional charter. At that time, we were recognized
as the first Audubon Chapter in the State of Virginia.
We should be proud that we have led the way since 1970 and it is my
feeling, we that we should continue along that path. Like the struggles in
the early 70’s which led to changes and reforms, most notably the Clean
Water Act of 1972, we find ourselves again struggling to ensure things are
done right and that environmental laws already on the books are not
stripped of their intent.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to celebrate our past and find
innovative ways to ensure our future. Much has already been done, but
there is still more to do. So please lend a hand, we definitely need
everybody’s help.
Thank you for your time,
Joe Cooney
NNAS President
