Preserving What Matters: How One Small Town Saved a River—and What It Taught Me About Midlife Purpose

Last week I had the honor of presenting an award to New River State Park on behalf of the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce. As a chamber member and someone who serves on several committees, I’m constantly inspired by how many people quietly and consistently show up to make our community better. Everyday people using their gifts, their life experience, and their time to serve the place they call home.

At one of our meetings, I heard a story that stayed with me—one that reminded me why community matters and how even small voices can have a massive impact.

The River That Was Almost Lost

In the early 1970s, a power company called Appalachian Power (APCO) proposed building a hydroelectric dam on the New River. The project would have flooded thousands of acres of farmland, forests, and homes in Ashe and Alleghany Counties. It would have erased family legacies, displaced generations, and forever altered the local landscape.

But the people of this area weren’t going to let that happen quietly.

Farmers, environmentalists, local leaders, and everyday citizens rallied. They organized, protested, and used every tool available to fight back. Their efforts eventually reached the highest levels of government.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially designated the New River a National Wild and Scenic River, protecting it from the proposed dam. And years later, President Bill Clinton recognized it again as an American Heritage River, celebrating not only its natural beauty but also the legacy of a community that stood up for what mattered.

What Makes the New River So Special?

The New River is one of the oldest rivers in the entire world—believed to be between 260 to 325 million years old. In fact, it’s often cited as the second-oldest river on Earth, second only to the Nile.

Here are a few more fascinating facts:

• 🌀 It flows north—a rare trait for rivers in North America.
  
  

• 🌲 It runs through three states: North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
  
  

• 🛶 It’s known for its stunning scenic views, peaceful waters, and abundant opportunities for fishing, paddling, hiking, and wildlife watching.
  
  

• 🏞️ It’s part of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the newest national park in the U.S., designated in 2020 in West Virginia.
  
  

This river is more than a waterway—it’s a living link to our ancient Earth, a recreational treasure, and, thanks to everyday people who fought to protect it, a story of resilience.

The Takeaway for Midlife

As I listened to that story, I was struck by something deeper: this wasn’t just about a river. It was about people—many of them in midlife—who had the experience, the wisdom, and the courage to say, “Not on our watch”.

It reminded me of something I see often in my coaching practice: when we reach midlife, we sometimes think our most meaningful contributions are behind us.

But what if they’re actually just beginning?

Yes, I fully believe that midlife is a time to finally focus on yourself—to rediscover your identity, your joy, and your dreams. But I also know this: when we focus only on ourselves, it’s easy to get stuck, bored, or unfulfilled. We’re wired to matter. To serve. To contribute.

That’s why I love walking women through my Passion to Purpose Framework—helping you uncover what lights you up and where the world needs you most. Whether you’re fighting to preserve a river, mentoring the next generation, or building a kinder neighborhood, your gifts are needed.

You don’t have to save the whole world.

But you can change yours.