FOLAR is excited to accept applications for the full-time position of Development Director. FOLAR is a well-established, highly regarded, regional organization, and this position is critical to developing the resources needed to power our mission of working with our communities to conserve and protect the Appomattox River for all to enjoy. FOLAR’s Development Director is…
Starting at the new river overlook on University Blvd, FOLAR (Friends of the Lower Appomattox River) is organizing and training volunteers to save trees and native plants and restore local ecosystems and riparian buffers that improve water quality. FOLAR’s new Invasive Plant Educator and Volunteer Coordinator, Elise Neuscheler, will be on-site to teach volunteers about…
People can soon see varied art installations representing the Atlantic sturgeon along the Appomattox River Trail (the ART). “Art on the ART” is a Public Art Project organized by Richmond CultureWorks Tri-Cities Program Manager Daniel Jones to celebrate and increase awareness about the on-going effort to protect sturgeon and their habitat. While the Atlantic sturgeon were thought to…
On a cool Saturday morning, 77 volunteers from across the Tri-Cities region descended on the Appomattox River with gloves, bags, and determination to keep our parks, river, and drinking water clean! Groups from Perdue Farms in Prince George, Gerdau Steel Mill in Petersburg, and soldiers from Fort Lee (pictured above) rallied together with FOLAR board…
Governor Glenn Youngkin recognized the winners of the 2022 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards at the recent Environment Virginia Symposium. The Appomattox River Trail – University Boulevard Overlook & Trailhead was recognized as a silver medal winner, the program’s second highest honor, along with two other projects from across the state. Reginald Tabor, Director of Planning…
What started as an idea jotted on the back of paper napkin has resulted in a $35,000 proactive grant from John Randolph Foundation (Ursula M. Gibbs Memorial Endowment) to Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR) to support its current challenge grant effort for the Appomattox River Trail’s vital western entrance spanning Dinwiddie and Chesterfield…
Check out FOLAR’s calendar of events for 2022. Groups interested in sponsorship or volunteering can contact Kiffy Werkheiser at kwerkheiser@folar-va.org. NOTE: FOLAR follows the guidance of the CDC on the prevention of COVID-19 through masking, social distancing, and hand sanitizing. 4/2 5K Trail Run-Walk 4/9 Youth Outdoor Exploration 4/30 Volunteer River Clean-up 5/7 Youth Outdoor…
By: Wayne Covil, Jan 21, 2022 PETERSBURG, Va. — The dream of a 25-mile trail running along the Appomattox River from Hopewell to Dinwiddie County is getting closer to reality. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a very therapeutic walk out here. A lot of people come out here because it’s just a nice trail and…
By Jack Jacobs, January 20, 2022 One of the next legs of another regional walking and biking trail is being further mapped out. The planning process is underway for the western edge of the Appomattox River Trail, a partially completed 25-mile paved path that will run east-west from Hopewell to Lake Chesdin. Friends of the…
The FOLAR Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS. These awards honor the impact of individuals and organizations who have made a difference for our community through exemplary service and philanthropy in support of conserving and protecting the Appomattox River for all to enjoy. **VOLUNTEER…
FOLAR celebrated a grand opening and ribbon cutting for the completion of the University Boulevard section of the Appomattox River Trail and a NEW river overlook along the Appomattox River on the west side of University Boulevard in Petersburg. This is the first section of the Appomattox River Trail to be fully completed in Petersburg.…
Paddle Battle Has Record Breaking Year We could not be prouder of the 13th Annual PADDLE-or-BATTLE held on Saturday, September 25, 2021. We had a record turnout and record-breaking times. This event is FOLAR’s signature recreation program, and it has so many community benefits. We’re promoting physical activity, environmental stewardship and conservation, and tourism in…
First Annual Trail Count Report Published FOLAR just published our first annual Trail Count Report, using data from eight sites along the Appomattox River Trail. Can you guess which are most popular? Read the full report to find out! Download a PDF of the 2020 Trail Count Report (link to document). This report will be…
$1 million Cameron grant to FOLAR helps pave way for park, trail development for Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Petersburg Catalyzing the work of Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR) to develop and expand the Appomattox River Trail (ART), The Cameron Foundation’s Board of Directors has approved its first $1 million grant to the organization…
By Zach Armstrong, The Prince George Journal — The Friends of the Lower Appomattox River will consider climate change impacts into the development of the Appomattox River Trail blueway and greenway relating to the ecosystem, park and trail infrastructure as well as the park and trail users. “The climate change adaptation framework isn’t going…
By Leslie Middleton, The Chesapeake Bay Journal — The Appomattox River in Virginia has long been a river I’ve wanted to explore. Its name conjured up associations with the Civil War, but otherwise I knew little about it. Lucky for me, a water trail helped me to tackle the adventure. The Appomattox is the…
FOLAR is currently fundraising to receive a $500,000 matching grant from The Cabell Foundation to renovate Ferndale/Appomattox Riverside Park in Dinwiddie County and transform the western entrance to the Appomattox River Trail. Located in Dinwiddie County near Petersburg and Chesterfield County, Ferndale Park has something for everyone – a playground, a picnic area, boating and fishing access, a historic canal, and trails. Our plans include a bicycle-pedestrian bridge spanning the Appomattox River from the historic canal trail at Ferndale Park to the John J. Radcliffe Conservation Area in Chesterfield County. We need your help to restore this historic outdoor destination and create an inclusive western entrance to the Appomattox River Trail. Donate to the Challenge Grant and your gift will be DOUBLED, doubling your impact. Make a lasting investment that will transform the trail and transform our region.
