Shelby Shopper

July 29, 2021

Shelby Shopper Shelby NC

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704-484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Our 38th Year • Issue No. 30 • July 29, 2021 "Striving To Help Small Businesses Succeed!" www.AmericanLegionWorldSeries.com Keeter Stadium at Veterans Field Open House August 10 7 pm - 9 pm Teams, Team Parents & General Public Invited by MICHAEL E. POWELL michael@cfmedia.info David Caldwell and many like him are heroes for our N.C. environment. Caldwell, 57, is the Broad Riverkeeper and, by definition, is the primary protector and spokesperson for the rivers and streams of the Broad River watershed in the Western and Piedmont regions of N.C. Caldwell, who loves being outdoors, is with MountainTrue, an environmental conservation group based in Asheville. "We have 23 full-time em- ployees including four River- keepers," he said. "We have programs for Clean Waters, Resilient Forests, Healthy Communities, Green Energy, and a Creation Care Alliance. We all work within and across our programs to support each other. We also rely heavily on volunteers who get involved in our efforts." They also, noted Caldwell, "…work with communities and citizens to monitor water quality and advocate for best manage- ment practices that will improve our waters for drinking, swim- ming, and fishing." His jurisdic- tion starts in the headwaters along the Blue Ridge Escarp- ment and in the South Moun- tains and goes downstream to the S.C. state line. Caldwell said he has been fishing, swimming, paddling, and exploring the Broad River and its tributaries for over 30 years. Additionally, he started the Broad River Paddle Club (a Facebook group page) in 2011, began doing river cleanups in 2012, started Broad River Al- liance, a Water- keeper Alliance Affiliate program in 2015, worked part time and mostly on a vol- unteer basis for 3.5 years, and in 2019 became a fully licensed Riverkeeper. He said no particular train- ing is required to become a Riverkeeper, but added, "A good understanding of science and ecology is help- ful. Mostly, one needs to be passionate about the work of protecting our waters, diligent in the pursuit of science, truth, and environmental justice, and willing to stand up and speak out for the communities who depend on these resources." For Caldwell, a memorable moment occurred when he and others helped bring about Duke Power's coal ash re- moval from the banks of the Broad River in 2020. His advice on keeping the rivers and forests clean and clear? "Don't pollute and don't ac- cept pollution as a normal part of our world. Simple things like 'pack it in, pack it out', or join- ing a stream-side or roadside See RIVERS, Page 3 Broad Riverkeeper David Caldwell helps keep our NC rivers clean Broad Riverkeeper David Caldwell with a group of volunteers and their four-legged mascot after a cleanup on the First Broad River. Broad Riverkeeper David Caldwell, as part of his job, is seen here testing water samples. A group from Kings Mountain High School helps with a cleanup of trash on Buffalo Creek. David Caldwell, the Cleveland County area's Broad Riverkeeper, preparing to canoe one of the rivers in his area. (photos provided) "Where Beauty Never Ends" "Where Beauty Never Ends" NorWat Beauty NorWat Beauty 1121 E. Marion St. Shelby, NC 704-481-7011 Wigs / Braiding & Crochet Hair / Hair Care Products Hours: Mon.-Sat. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10:00 am - 6:00 pm 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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