Roanoke River Partners

Spark environmentally friendly business creation along 100 miles.

Overview

Spark environmentally friendly business creation along 100 miles of the lower Roanoke River by fostering the community s dream of a world class canoe and kayak camping trail the Roanoke River Paddle Trail. In 1996 people from the five counties along the Roanoke River in North Carolina met with others from across the state to merge their interests in this rich natural resource and in the region's economic needs. Historically people along the Roanoke have depended on its abundance for their own food as well as for commercial goods naval stores lumber cypress shingles fish and more. The river served as a travel route for the earliest inhabitants of this land and those who followed. Its dense swamps provided cover for runaway slaves. Its high banks and sharp bends offered vantage points for forts during wars. It carried barges of fuel and other products in more recent times. Its water serves industries and municipalities from dam to sound. The forbidden swamps even hid illegal stills during Prohibition. One was so industrial that it ran three shifts! The Roanoke remained vital yet there was awareness that this beautiful life giving river was not being used to its fullest potential...or in ways that protected it for use by future generations.In 1997 this group had identified their goals established a plan of action and incorporated as a non profit group called Roanoke River Partners (RRP). Now the hard work began. One of RRP's first and biggest projects was to create a paddle/camping trail along the river and its creeks that would increase awareness of this treasure we call the Roanoke and build infrastructure for small businesses like guides outfitters and many others in the region new and old. Visitors could trace the curves of the Roanoke and its tributaries discovering the variety of wildlife and habitats it offers and enjoying the unique experience of spending a night (or more) in the breathtaking beauty of its moss draped back swamps. In this special type of eco tourism the Roanoke River Paddle Trail would be the first private system of its type in the nation. No small task for certain.