Rappahannock River Roundtable

10/08/2026

Join the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge in celebrating Refuge Week during October 10-17. Learn more at rwrfriends.org for more information or pre-register via the respective links below.

🐦‍⬛🦅 The Big Sit: 10/11. Join us for birding at Fones Cliff! Pre-registration is only necessary for the Early Morning Session from 6 a.m.- 8 a.m. Contact Allie Hunter at [email protected]

🛶 Cat Point Creek Guided Paddle: 10/14. Enjoy a paddle with all supplies included. Pre-registration required at www.menokin.org/kayak

🛥 Pontoon Boat Tours of Mount Landing Creek: Oct. 17 at 9 am (birding focus) and 3:30 pm (nature focus). Spaces are limited, so pre-registration is required. Register at rwrfriends.org

10/06/2026

Attention, Richmond County: Let's keep electronic and hazardous waste out of the Rappahannock River! Join us on October 17th from 8 a.m. to 12 pm in the Rappahannock Community College parking lot.

Attention Richmond County residents & property owners 📣

Saturday, October 17 is your opportunity to securely shred sensitive documents, drop off unwanted prescription drugs, and properly dispose of used oil, old paint cans, bulky electronics and so much more!

We hope to see you from 8AM-12PM at the RCC parking lot! Make sure you bring your yellow convenience center pass.

Virginia Cooperative Extension - Richmond County

10/01/2026

Only 20 days left until the 6th Annual Rappahannock Roundtable Symposium… and tickets are still available! 📆

Don’t miss an engaging lineup of this year’s guest speakers, meaningful discussions, and valuable connections. This event welcomes everyone, including environmental scientists, researchers, local government officials, educators, students, non-profit organizations, and others from across our watershed.

Curious about this year's featured topics? Visit www.rappahannockroundtable.org/rappahannock-river-symposium/ for tickets and more information!

09/30/2026

The Virginia Cooperative Extension - Stafford is hosting an upcoming Well Water Clinic for Stafford Residents. Pre-Registration is required by October 23.

This is a great opportunity to test your well, cistern, or spring water quality.

Virginia Cooperative Extension-Stafford has an upcoming Well Water Clinic available to Stafford Residents.

What’s in Your Water? 💧
Using a well, spring, or cistern for your drinking water? Take charge of your water quality! Virginia Cooperative Extension offers affordable water testing clinics across the state through the Virginia Household Water Quality Program.

$70/sample kit
Tests for: Coliform bacteria, E. coli, lead, copper, arsenic, hardness, pH, nitrate, sulfate, fluoride, and more!

Upcoming Clinic in Stafford County
Kit Pick-Up: October 19-23 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
VCE Office-Stafford
The Rowser Building
1739 Richmond Highway

Drop-Off: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28 between 7:00-9:00 AM
**SAMPLES MUST BE DROPPED OFF DURING THESE HOURS** Please read complete instructions on registration.

Pre-registration is required by October 23. Register for your kit online at tinyurl.com/test-H2O

There is a limited supply of kits available. If you are interested in this program, please register soon!

09/29/2026

What a great program from an amazing group of conservation partners!

Hanover-Caroline SWCD Friends of the Rappahannock Port Royal Vol Fire Dept CAROLINE HIGH SCHOOL

09/24/2026

There is still time to register for the 2026 Virginia Buffer Summit on October 14th at Hungry Mother State Park! ✅

This year's theme is Buffers Across Virginia: People, Place, and Purpose. Enjoy an exciting lineup of speakers, activities, and networking opportunities showcasing unique approaches to buffer restoration and ways to collaborate to create healthy streamside ecosystems for clean water across the Commonwealth.

With a FANTASTIC AGENDA, you won't want to miss it... Register before registration closes on October 7th!

Register HERE: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260784071305959

09/16/2026

Check out this great program from Spotsylvania County and local conservation partners!

Are you interested in reducing erosion on your property?
Join Spotsylvania’s Environmental Codes Department for a presentation on the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) by Friends of the Rappahannock! You will learn about the positive impacts of green infrastructure, such as bioretention, rain gardens, and conservation landscaping, that may reduce erosion and provide pollinator habitat on your property. Tri-County/City Soil and Water Conservation District will also provide a demonstration on rain barrel benefits and installation.
The presentation will take place Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Meeting Room 1 at Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s Salem Church Branch (2607 Salem Church Road). VCAP brochures and outreach material will be provided during this free event. Let us know if you will attend by registering here: https://tinyurl.com/2rf9hyda.
You may be eligible for cost-share assistance — eligibility is determined following the submission of your interest form and site visit by a certified representative.

09/14/2026

When help is hours away, will you know what to do?

Emergencies can happen anywhere, especially when you’re miles from medical care. Friends of the Rappahannock is hosting a Wilderness First Aid course that gives outdoor leaders, Scouts, guides, adventurers, parents, and outdoor professionals the hands-on skills to stay calm, act fast, and respond when it matters most.

What you’ll learn:
• Assess and stabilize injuries and sudden illnesses
• Control bleeding and care for wounds
• Manage fractures, sprains, and shock
• Recognize and treat heat stroke, hypothermia, and other environmental threats
• Improvise with limited gear when help is far away

Course Details:
📅 Skills Day: Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 9 AM–5 PM
💻 Hybrid course — online modules open October 1 and must be completed before Skills Day
🎓 Earn a nationally recognized, 2-year ECSI Wilderness First Aid Certification
🚑 VA EMS Provider CEUs available upon request
📍 Hosted by Friends of the Rappahannock

Lead Instructor **Seth Craig**, Paramedic and EMS Program Head at Rappahannock Community College, Certified Wilderness Paramedic, and founder of S.A.F.E. Solutions, brings real-world experience to this hands-on training.

Class size is limited to ensure plenty of hands-on practice.

👉 Reserve your spot today and be prepared for the unexpected.

Please share with your networks, especially outdoor leaders, Scout groups, camps, guides, educators, and families who spend time outdoors.

When help is hours away, will you know what to do? Every year, hikers, campers, and outdoor professionals face emergencies far from medical care. This course gives you the life-saving skills you need to stay calm, act fast, and save lives in the wilderness. Whether you are a Scout leader, Scout, gui...

09/01/2026

Don't forget to register for the 2026 Virginia Buffer Summit on October 14th at Hungry Mother State Park! ✅

The theme this year will be Buffers Across Virginia: People, Place, and Purpose. There will be an exciting lineup of speakers, activities, and networking opportunities showcasing unique approaches to buffer restoration and ways to collaborate to create healthy streamside ecosystems for clean water across the Commonwealth.

With a FANTASTIC AGENDA, you won't want to miss it... Register before registration closes on October 7th!

Register HERE: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260784071305959

08/13/2026

We are seeing record droughts across the entire Rappahannock River region which is having an enormous impact on our farms, fisheries, and communities.

Every drop counts!

One of the best ways to combat a drought is to help more rainwater infiltrate back into the earth to replenish our groundwater and aquifers which support our crops, well water, and environment. There is cost-share available from local soil and water conservation districts and local non-profits for things like rain gardens, conservation landscaping, rainwater harvesting, tree planting, permeable pavement, and more!

Northern Neck Soil & Water Conservation District
Hanover-Caroline SWCD
Tri County City Soil and Water Conservation District
Three Rivers SWCD
John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District
Friends of the Rappahannock

Drought conditions continue in our region.

Our homes, business, parks, and environment are all impacted by drought.

Understanding what causes a drought helps us make smart choices to help conserve water.

Let's all do our part. Every drop counts.

For more information about saving water during drought: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quantity/drought/drought-responses