By Nicole Eastman, Yadkin Riverkeeper

**Nicole Eastman, Yadkin Riverkeeper, on a monitoring trip on High Rock Lake**

I was amazed by the number of people reaching out to me after I was announced as the next Yadkin Riverkeeper. They sent congratulations and offered their support as I started this new role. From Yadkin Riverkeeper members I have gotten to know over the last two years through Yadkin River State Trail paddles, events, and our volunteer monitoring programs to colleagues who I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside to achieve common goals, folks I’ve crossed paths with a time or two, and people I’ve never met but care about the protection of our watershed. It meant so much to be accepted by this passionate community of advocates, concerned citizens, environmental professionals, and paddle enthusiasts. These connections and warm notes remind me that YRK is part of a large community of people who are connected to the Yadkin River watershed and want to see positive change.

I am grateful to have worked with Edgar, our previous Riverkeeper and current Executive Director and all of my great co-workers at YRK these past two years to learn about our unique watershed and dive right into water quality monitoring projects, restoration planning, and advocacy work. There’s never a dull moment at YRK. I have enjoyed getting to know different parts of the watershed including the towering rocky bluffs near Elkin, the rocky and glistening shoals in Pilot Mountain State Park, and the narrow, meandering Yadkin River near our headwaters in Lenoir. Edgar showed me the Riverkeeping ropes and stressed the importance of collaboration across the watershed with a diverse group of stakeholders. I noticed his approach led to meaningful partnerships and important conversations about protecting our local water bodies, and I am very excited to continue this work.

Right now, our watershed is facing many new threats in addition to ongoing issues YRK has been working to mitigate such as pollution from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, stormwater runoff from increased development, legacy hazardous waste contamination from Alcoa’s shuttered operations in West Badin, and bacteria and PFAS contamination from land application sites. Recently, we have been focusing a lot of our attention and efforts on strategizing with partner organizations and communities against proposed methane power plants and supporting the local fights against data centers. YRK staff and board members recognize these proposed projects as the greatest threat to the river right now, especially considering their cumulative impacts on water availability and water quality. It is obvious water protection is as important now as ever.

I am honored to follow in Edgar’s footsteps as the Yadkin Riverkeeper and act as the voice for our beautiful watershed. I look forward to connecting with more of you soon, hopefully on or near the river, and working every day to improve access to clean drinking water and safe swimmable and fishable rivers and lakes.

For the Yadkin River,
Nicole