OUR MISSION
To be the voice and active force for a healthy and scenic Rappahannock River.
Our Vision
A Rappahannock River… that is clean and safe for fish consumption and recreation from its Headwaters to its confluence with the Chesapeake.
A Rappahannock River… that supports a healthy and diverse aquatic ecosystem, with submerged grasses, oysters, crabs and other species returned to their historic levels and productivity.
A Rappahannock River Watershed… where land use and runoff is managed to protect and enhance our riparian habitats, downstream waters, scenic viewsheds and historical resources.
A Rappahannock River Community… where the citizens and local governments are educated about river stewardship, where they take a sense of personal stewardship over the river resource, and where they take action in their own backyards and communities to protect it.
WHAT WE DO
Pursuing Scenic River Designation for the Lower Rappahannock River
UPDATE 4/1/2021 - Governor Northam has signed bill HB1819 into law designating 79-miles of the lower Rappahannock River as a component of the Virginia Scenic Rivers System. Thank you to Delegate Josh Cole for introducing this bill and his copatrons Delegates Betsy B....
Plastic Bag Tax – A Year Later
On January 1st, 2022, the City of Fredericksburg rang in the New Year by being one of the first municipalities in Virginia to impose a 5-cent tax on disposable plastic bags distributed at all grocery stores, convenience stores and drugstores in the City. Friends of...
A Head Start for Students
Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) educators are excited to continue our nature-based science discovery program with local Head Start and Virginia Preschool Initiative classes this year. This program serves students in the City of Fredericksburg Fredericksburg, King...
Meet Brent Hunsinger: River Steward
As River Steward for Caroline, King George and Spotsylvania Counties and State Policy Coordinator, my job is to serve as a local advocate for the river. I'll help manage several regionally focused restoration programs, provide high value environmental education...
Supporting inclusive public river access
FOR's Spanish language program focuses on river safety and conservation Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) believes the Rappahannock River is a treasure to be enjoyed by everyone and we support inclusive public access. In our support of public access, we have created...
Riverwatch
Our Riverwatch map provides geographic data on the Rappahannock and helps you understand how FOR is helping keep our river healthy.
Impaired Rappahannock River Waterways
Learn more about how your local waterways are doing in pollutant reduction.