Two awards were presented at the Annual Bike Walk Virginia Conference held in September in Williamsburg. The Local Hero Award is given to a member of the conference host's hometown who has demonstrated successful advocacy efforts resulting in improved biking, walking, and trail accommodations. The Community Champion Award is given to a corporate entity in Virginia that has worked to improve access for bicyclists and pedestrians in order to improve the quality of life in their community. 

Mary Turnbull (center) won the 2007 Local Hero Award for helping to create the Williamsburg Area Bicyclists, for serving on the Historic Triangle Bicycle Advisory Committee, for working with James City County Parks and Recreation to create the Annual Park to Park Tour, for planning May is Bike Month activities, and for fighting for bike lanes and pedestrian signals all across town. Picture here (l. to r.) are Ron Enders, BikeWalk Virginia Board of Directors; Turnbull; and Reed Nester, City of Williamsburg Planning Director. Previous winners of this annual award are Lane Dyer, Janet Lloyd, Allen Munchnick, Steve and Popie Martin, Senator Creigh Deeds, and Senator Mary Margaret Whipple.

The Harvest Foundation received the Community Champion Award for their investment in a more vital, healthy, and sustainable Martinsville/Henry County area. Picture above from left to right are BikeWalk Board Member Enders, Jeffrey Mansour, Harvest Foundation; Ellen Jessee, Activate Martinsville/Henry County; and Stephanie Smith, BikeWalk Virginia. One recipient of Harvest Foundation funding is the Activate Martinsville/Henry County initiative. A three-year $1.5 million grant will create sustainable programs promoting Safe Routes to Schools, Complete Streets, and a Bicycle Friendly Community in the rural environment. The Harvest Foundation researches and responsibly invests in health, education, and welfare programs and initiatives in order to enhance opportunities and quality of life in Martinsville and Henry County.  Previous Community Champion Award winners are Rivanna Trails, Friends of the W&OD Trail, Richmond MORE, David Brickley for the Dahlgren Heritage Railroad Trail, and Friends of the Blackwater Creek Trail.

The Governor's Conference on Greenways, Blueways and Trails and the 54th Annual Conference of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society and the 10th Annual Virginia Bike Walk Conference will join forces for a conference in Richmond on October 4-7, 2008 to promote active living.

This will be the largest conference ever held in Virginia focusing on outdoor recreation, trails, and non-motorized transportation. Please mark your calendar for October 4-7, 2008 now!