Rockbridge Conservation (RC) invites the community to celebrate its 50th anniversary with four events this September and October. From exploring a restored homestead to cycling along the Maury River, the fall lineup offers opportunities to enjoy local natural resources, learn about conservation and meet neighbors.
Founded in 1976, RC marks five decades of promoting the protection, sustainable use and stewardship of the Rockbridge community’s natural and cultural resources.
A tour of an Agroecological Homestead will take place this Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 top 11:30 a.m. at Rockbridge Cider Vinegar, 3786 Collierstown Road.
This free, family friendly tour will explore Joseph Martinez’s “Certified Naturally Grown” orchards and stateinspected vinegar brewery. Participants will learn about the relationships between apple trees and the surrounding ecosystem and hear about his 25-year effort to transform a degraded, 10-acre pasture into a biodiverse, productive homestead. Registration is required; email director@rockbridgeconservation. org to sign up.
A “Conservation Happy Hour” is up next, on Sept. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Heliotrope Brewery in downtown Lexington Area residents are invited to join RC for an informal evening of conversation and community. This casual gathering offers an opportunity to connect with others interested in conservation and celebrate RC’s anniversary. Participants may drop in throughout the evening.
A Fall Chessie Trail Bike Ride will take place Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Riders of all ages are welcome on this free, family friendly outing. The group will ride from the Old Buena Vista Road trailhead to the metal bridge near Stuartsburg Road and back, enjoying views of the Maury River and fall scenery along the way.
Rockbridge Conservation will conclude the month with a landfill tour on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Resource Authority, 225 Landfill Road, Buena Vista.
Go behind the scenes to learn how the community’s waste is managed. Topics will include the landfilling process, environmental safeguards that protect groundwater, and the landfill’s lined cells and leachate collection system. The tour is free and open to the public.
For more information about these events or Rockbridge Conservation’s 50th anniversary, visit rockbridgeconservation. org or email [email protected].
