Begonia cucullata from South America expanding the footprint of a tiny Japanese garden space. By Elise Neuscheler, Environmental Stewardship Manager Crack gardening? Sidewalk bonsai? There isn’t really a term for the gardening practice of removing unwanted plants and intentionally keeping other plants in sidewalk cracks, so let’s lean on the descriptive Sidewalk Crack Gardening.…
By Elise Neuscheler, Environmental Stewardship Manager Last week, FOLAR hosted its first annual Invasive Plant Management Training at the Appomattox River Center. Presented by Elise Neuscheler and Heather Barrar, the four-hour course covers plant identification, methods of invasive plant removal, safety in the field, and conscientious use of herbicide. There is a lot to…
By Dr. Jackson Bartlett, Executive Director My team and I have had a lot of opportunities to get out and get moving on the Appomattox River Trail this summer. It’s certainly hot, but summer is a slow time for us, and with the right precautions it can be a beautiful time along the river.…
By Arabia Earth, FOLAR Intern Summer is officially underway, and with longer days and warmer temperatures, it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the Appomattox River Trail. National Hydration Day, observed each year on June 23, serves as an important reminder that staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways to stay…
By Emily Galbraith, Communications and Development Coordinator Every year, people across the country unite on the first Saturday of June in celebration of National Trails Day. This holiday is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors, connect with your community, and give back to the trails you love. Trails connect us to nature and to…
By Elise Neuscheler, Environmental Stewardship Coordinator It was summer 2016. I was hanging out in Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, waiting for a friend to arrive. I, like many others with phones and free time then, was playing the new mobile game Pokemon Go while I sat at an outdoor table. A child with his family…
By Dr. Jackson Bartlett, Executive Director This year is FOLAR’s 25th anniversary. As I look back on all we’ve been a part of and all that we’ve been able to achieve, I am humbled. That’s because FOLAR isn’t just an organization. It represents the cumulative effort of countless volunteers, concerned citizens, foundation partners, and local,…
By Elise Neuscheler FOLAR was recently invited to speak during an educational walk for local co-ed Scout Group 2877. As FOLAR’s Environmental Stewardship Coordinator, I guided the Scouts along the Appomattox River Trail in Colonial Heights, using the riverbank as a living classroom. The group totaled 25+ scouts and scout leaders, with children from…
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…
By Makayla Hamlin October 10 is National Walk to a Park Day and what better place to do that than on the Appomattox River Trail. However, most people in America do not have the privilege to walk to a park. For those who do not have a designated walking trail near them or cannot/…