By Elise Neuscheler

 

Lately, visitors to the University Boulevard trailhead of the Appomattox River Trail have found new locations to relax and enjoy their local nature, thanks to extensive invasive plant removal by countless FOLAR volunteers over the years. One of FOLAR’s star volunteers and a local history fanatic, Barry Lewis, has been steadily removing the invasive Chinese Wisteria vines, Privet bushes, and Ailanthus trees that grew over historic foundations and structures on this section of the trail. 

“I come three or four times a week on my own, in addition to FOLAR’s Stewardship Saturdays,” Barry says. He clips back plants that had previously hidden brick structures along the trail, and in doing so, was excited to expose a spring that leads to the river from the trail. Following in his footsteps, trail visitors are now pleased to find a great rocky overlook to sit by the river. “I only meant to clear back those plants that were hiding the brick structures and the spring,” he said. “It warms my heart immensely to see that there are folks finding another reason to value the work I’ve been doing.” 

At 82 years old, Barry is a stalwart powerhouse of the FOLAR volunteer force. With no email address, Barry and FOLAR’s Environmental Stewardship Coordinator, Elise Neuscheler, communicate by phone with reminders of FOLAR’s upcoming volunteer events. “I had been wanting to come meet FOLAR for years, but I don’t use social media or email. Two years ago I saw a sign saying the time and place FOLAR would be holding their next event. I showed up, and the rest is history,” Barry says. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOLAR volunteers Barry and Scott with Environmental Stewardship Coordinator, Elise Neuscheler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barry and other FOLAR volunteers clearing invasive wisteria vines along the Appomattox River Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With large rocks the perfect height for sitting, the Appomattox River offers up yet another beautiful place to relax and take in nature.

 

If you would like to join FOLAR’s volunteer efforts to pick up trash and clear invasive plants along the Appomattox River, check out our upcoming events at www.folar-va.org/join-us/volunteer/. We hope to see you soon!