The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) announced that Kensley Yeatts was appointed as the new Environmental Education Coordinator. Yeatts graduated from Liberty University in May with a B.S. in Zoo & Wildlife Biology. Yeatts interned with DRBA in the education department over the last six months as part of her senior internship with Liberty.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kensley Yeatts as the Environmental Education Coordinator of the Dan River Basin Association. Yeatts’ internship with DRBA over the last six months as a Volunteer Environmental Educator and Citizen Water Quality Monitor will benefit her greatly in her transition as the new education coordinator. Kensley also has experience in aquatic ecosystem fieldwork and conservation that will be an asset to DRBA’s education programs. We look forward to expanding DRBA’s reach and capacity in the Dan River basin through Kensley’s efforts,” said Krista Hodges, director of Environmental Education of the Dan River Basin Association.
Yeatts will work under direction of the Director of Environmental Education alongside the Volunteer Environmental Educators and Assistant Educator to incorporate inquiry-based learning, hands-on activities, standards correlation and place-based content for students in the Dan River basin. Her primary focus as the Environmental Education Coordinator will be in Martinsville and Henry County working on the Green Leaves Investigations sponsored by the Harvest Foundation.
“I’m honored to take on the role of Environmental Education Coordinator with DRBA,” Yeatts said. “This position allows me to share my passion for wildlife conservation, environmental stewardship, and science education, while raising awareness about the importance of protecting our environment. I have worked with Danville Parks & Recreation as an Outdoor Recreation Leader since 2023.
“This past spring, I interned with DRBA as a Volunteer Environmental Educator and Citizen Water Quality Monitor, assisting in programs like Trout in the Classroom, Tub of Bugs, Dirt Babies, Monarch Waystation plantings, and more. I also had the chance to participate in outreach events including the Earth Day Expo in Franklin County, Festival in the Park in Danville, and the Bee City Celebration in Ridgeway. My time with DRBA has already been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to continue supporting its mission and growing with this team,” she added.
During Yeatts’ time at Liberty, she completed fieldwork and research on the Candy Darter, the effects of DDT pesticide use, and population trends of macroinvertebrates, freshwater fish, and newts in local aquatic ecosystems. She also participated in owl banding, tracking the migration patterns of Northern saw-whet owls. Yeatts has also helped lead sustainable agriculture workshops in Guatemala, both teaching and performing agrarian tasks alongside women in need.
The mission of the Dan River Basin Association is to promote and protect the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River Basin through education, recreation, and stewardship. DRBA works to fulfill that mission by building river accesses and trails, educating people of all ages about protecting our natural resources, and protecting our water resources through water quality monitoring, cleanups and master planning. The Dan River basin is 3,300 square miles including sixteen counties throughout Virginia and North Carolina.
