Kanawha Valley Connections is a group of community-based volunteers dedicated to promoting economic, environmental and social sustainability in the Kanawha Valley. The group organized in 2008 in order to apply for a Sustainable Kanawha Valley Initiative grant through the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.

The group’s mission: “A volunteer initiate to nurture our community for current and future generations through cooperation, conservation, education, and balanced use of resources.”

KVC’s initial proposal was to organize the first public event in the Kanawha Valley (Putnam and Kanawha Counties) featuring exhibitors with green or sustainable products, services or practices. The “Kanawha Valley Sustainability Fair: Creating Pathways to Sustainability,” was held at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Charleston on May 30, 2009. The fair was partially funded through a $20,000 grant from the Sustainable Kanawha Valley Initiative.

Jeff Miller, one of the original volunteers, explained why sustainability is important for this area: “Given the economic and environmental challenges we’re facing right now, we have to start taking a thoughtful look at how to nourish and grow our communities, for our own and for future generations. This means involving citizens, businesses, non-profits and government in a coordinated and collaborative effort to make our area both prosperous and livable.”

In the fall of 2009, Kanawha Valley Connections received a second grant to help support the 2010 Kanawha Valley Sustainability Fair. This event will also be held at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Charleston, on May 22, 2010.

		The Fair addresses a number of sustainability themes, including locally grown food, conservation, energy, green building, government and community resources, recycling, health, economic development, transportation, culture and history. The event features interactive and hands-on exhibits, activities for children, entertainment, presentations, and practical ideas for residents and businesses. In addition to its signature event, KVC’s goal is to bring sustainability into public view at smaller events throughout the year.
Kanawha Valley Connections volunteers plan for the 2009 Kanawha Valley Sustainability Fair at a monthly steering committee meeting

Past and present volunteers involved in planning, marketing and organizing the event include concerned citizens and staff from the WV Citizen Action Education Fund, Step by Step, Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha and Putnam County, Bridgemont Community & Technical College, Kanawha County Solid Waste Authority, the City of Charleston Recreation and Parks Department, Kanawha County Public Library, Charleston Area Alliance, Hunter /Miller+Associates, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

The group welcomes participation by businesses and organizations interested in promoting sustainability in the Kanawha Valley. KVC is actively recruiting new volunteers to develop the vision and to design year-round programming consistent with its mission. Anyone interested in promoting sustainability in Kanawha and Putnam counties is encouraged to contact KVC at info@kvc-fair.org.