by Carleigh Starkston | Feb 7, 2026 | Action Alert, Advocacy, Data Centers, News
Virginia lacks centralized tracking of water use by data centers. The following bill will enhance transparency, oversight, and planning. Why it Matters: The expansion of data centers in Virginia (data centers can use millions of gallons of water a day to cool their...
by Carleigh Starkston | Dec 17, 2025 | Best of 2025, Community Engagement, Green Infrastructure, Restoration
Building up the Rappahannock's Stormwater Management Stormwater runoff is one of the biggest threats to the Rappahannock River. When rain falls on hard surfaces like roads, parking lots, and rooftops, it cannot absorb into the ground. Instead, it rushes across these...
by Carleigh Starkston | Dec 17, 2025 | Best of 2025, Community Engagement, Education, Oysters, Restoration
Early in September, the Rappahannock Indian Tribe gathered with longtime partners, friends, and supporters inside the Belle Isle State Park Visitor Center. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, framing a moment years in the making: the Tribe’s return to oyster...
by Carleigh Starkston | Dec 17, 2025 | Advocacy, Best of 2025
Advocating for the river isn’t always a highlight reel, with success after success. It often takes years, if not decades, to see real change occur. But 2025 was a landmark year for protecting the Rappahannock. From national recognition to major policy wins, Friends of...
by Carleigh Starkston | Dec 9, 2025 | Best of 2025, Community Engagement, Education, Restoration
An Introduction to Marine Careers on the Rappahannock On March 4, 2025, Friends of the Rappahannock hosted the first-ever Marine Career Day in Tappahannock, Virginia, at the Tappahannock-Essex Volunteer Fire Department. The event was designed to open students’ eyes to...
