This year, Friends of the Rappahannock turned 40, and we’re just getting started. For four decades, we’ve fought for clean water, healthy habitats, and a river that connects and sustains us all. We’re proud of how far we’ve come — but we know the most important work is still ahead.

We’ve made strides to ensure our organization is more sustainable and less susceptible to the winds of federal funding change. We were proud to steward the largest corporate investment in our history, an incredible milestone that speaks to the power of our mission and this community.

But we are not done yet.  

Despite a year of celebration and success, we’ve faced real challenges — from over $900,000 in lost grant funding to political uncertainty that threatens the progress we’ve made. The Rappahannock remains one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers, making our work far from over.

Below you will see a series of blog posts, highlighting some of what we feel are our most impactful moments of 2025. Moments that YOU had a significant part in making happen.

As we enter 2026, we are reminded that our work is nothing without you and your support. Our incredible community, made up of individuals, community partners, and businesses, continually makes significant investments in our work to prepare for the Rappahannock of tomorrow. We hope you consider becoming one of our river family members by making a special year-end gift to protect the Rappahannock and invest in the future of our watershed.