Best of 2017
Some of our favorite stories from this past year, from the mountains to the bay.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2017, we see everyone who helped make it possible.
Be a friend and advocate for the river.
Fracking protections cap a year of river advocacy victories
Westmoreland joins Richmond and King George counties and adopts fracking ordinance It was the Christmas present Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) wanted most, and the perfect end to a year of river advocacy centered on the fight to protect our watershed from the...
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“Thanks to foundation’s gift, ‘The Beach’ will remain a place of river education”
By Rob Hedelt Published in the Free-Lance Star on Dec 5, 2017 A piece of land along the Rappahannock River where children have learned about that vital natural resource will be preserved for generations to come. Friends of the Rappahannock, the nonprofit group that...
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Here we grow again!
The education department at FOR is always looking for ways to expand our reach. Most recently we have had our eyes on reaching more students upstream, specifically in Fauquier, Culpeper and Rappahannock Counties. The PATH Foundation supported this effort with funding...
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Raising brook trout, just like Mother Nature
Trout in the Classroom is a self-contained, fun lesson in ecology When I talk to students about the Trout in the Classroom (TIC), I use words like connectivity, mimicry, nature, experiment, life, and death. These are important words, underscoring much of what we do...
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Girl Power Weekend
It has been a long time goal for Friends of the Rappahannock to include more girls in recreation events. During summer months, the Friends of the Rappahannock/Virginia Outdoors Center nature preserve is often occupied by boy scouts and eagle scouts, leaving little...
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A powerful day combining education, restoration, and recreation
As an FOR educator, one of my main goals is helping students feel confident in the outdoors and empowered to make a positive difference. This past year, we had a day that exemplifies that mission. We went out to the Rapidan River with 25 ecology students from...
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Taking E-STEM across the watershed
Design a solution. Create a prototype. Test for results. Revise for effectiveness. Refine for performance. Learn about renewable energy. All accomplished while discovering ways to improve our environment. If you did all this, you would be participating in Friends of...
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Federal Funding Brings the Rappahannock River a $91K Grant
Virginia Governor Terry McAullife and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced an award of $91,925.00 to Friends of the Rappahannock to support the Headwater Stream Initiative (HSI). This is a part of NFWF's Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund and Small...
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Becker Recognized as one of 30 young professionals by leading environmental group
An environmental educator with Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) is one of 30 young people, ages 30 and under, recently recognized by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). The EE 30 Under 30 program highlights the work of young...
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