FOR > Our Programs > Restoration

Restoration

Recent Restoration Projects
Rappahannock Restore Corp

Bioretention Demos at Lancaster Primary School

In the Fall of 2010 we constructed 4 bioretention cells (rain gardens) at Lancaster Primary School in Virginia's Northern Neck. The school drains to the Currutoman River, a tributary to the Rappahannock. The project was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and was a partnership with the Northern Neck Soil and Water Conservation District and the Northern Neck Master Gardeners. For more details contact john.tippett@riverfriends.org.

Living Shoreline Demo in Deltaville

In September 2010 we funded and help construct a demonstration "Living Shoreline under a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The site is the beginning of our Living Shorelines initiative in the tidal Rappahannock where we hope to use a "pay it forward" model to involve riverfront homeowner volunteers in restoring shorelines across the tidal Rappahannock.

River Clean Ups
Our annual Spring and Fall cleanups make a significant positive impact for the river. Typically over 300 individuals participate in each clean-up and collect over 6,000 pounds of trash from accessible river banks over a 15 mile stretch of river. We partner with Mountain View High School Learn & Serve students in organizing the cleanups each year.

Water Intake Visual Buffer Plantings
FOR has established vegetated buffers at the new water intakes for Motts Run Reservoir in Fredericksburg and Hunting Run Reservoir in Spotsylvania County. Scores of FOR volunteers planted both deciduous and conifer trees and shrubs to create a visual buffer between the river and the pumphouse structures. Other FOR volunteers have assumed the watering tasks for the large numbers of trees throughout drought periods, and helped successfully treat a nasty blight that threatened the plant stock. Funding: FOR operational, County of Spotsylvania, Pinelands Nursery.

Linden Farm Conservation Easement/Restoration
Culminating over a year of work by FOR and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), a 118 acre conservation easement was recorded on Linden Farm in Orange County. The easement is made up of forested stream buffers that traverse this 1,000+ acre livestock operation in the Rapidan river's rolling Piedmont watershed. FOR brought CBF and the landowner together to negotiate the major part of the easement. FOR wrote another grant proposal to fund the purchase of easement on the remaining acreage, plus to install livestock exclusion fencing. Linden Farm is now one of the best examples in the region of an economically viable livestock operation that is also on the leading edge of water quality protection.

Livestock Exclusion Fencing - Stream Buffer Protection

FOR continues to make significant progress in our riparian restoration and livestock exclusion fencing program. In partnership with the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District, two significant reaches of headwater streams were protected from livestock access via new fencing in 2002. These areas will also be restored with buffer plantings. Funding: Various state and federal grants, Corps of Engineers, Virginia Wetland Mitigation Trust Fund.

Phragmites Control
Phragmites (frag-my-teez) is an exotic, invasive species that has destroyed the habitat value of vast acreages of wetlands along the East Coast. FOR assisted the Rappahannock Phragmites Action Committee in combatting the invasive species on private lands in the lower tidal Rappahannock. FOR applied for and received a grant to assist the committee in funding a large aerial spraying operation which eradicated the plant on several hundred acres of tidal marsh. This is allowing native plants to return to the wetlands and restore the historic productivity and ecological integrity of the lower Rappahannock wetlands.

FOR is looking for core volunteers to help us manage and restore the FOR natural area located at our headquarters in Fredericksburg, along the Rappahannock River. Volunteers primarily will be involved in controlling invasive species (click here for more information about invasive species), maintaining trails, planting native trees, and helping pick-up trash from the river. There will also be opportunities for mapping and monitoring invasive plants. Volunteers can help organize and lead work days throughout the year, recruit new volunteers, and help advertise our Rappahannock Restore Corps events.

Invasive Species - Volunteer stewards will learn about Virginia’s native plants and ecosystems as well as invasive species that have been introduced to the area. Volunteers typically derive a great sense of pride and accomplishment in helping to restore native ecosystems. Furthermore, participating in ecological restoration activities will provide a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy fresh air and exercise.

If you would like to get involved in FOR's stewardship program or would like more information contact us at (540) 373-3448 or andrew.orr@riverfriends.org