FOLAR - Friends of the Lower Appomattox River

06/18/2026

👀We're in the news!📰 Check out this piece on the Juneteenth event FOLAR and OCRCEG are partnering on this weekend:

https://www.progress-index.com/story/lifestyle/2026/06/16/juneteenth-event-pocahontas-island-petersburg/90556247007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z115707p115450c115450e002700v115707d--57--b--57--&gca-ft=171&gca-ds=sophi&fbclid=IwY2xjawSep_tleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJIN25YMGx1ejZ1VmdiYW91c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTE0NzcxNTY5MjI4MDYxAAEeEBvt1lSICEIbQHrP-WxvEcHUKxgudLI3SrgUiLGDHxhTNCv7bX9ZG7kxFI0_aem_E-7zJ8-uJetirgTHK8hYvA

On Juneteenth, help care for the environment by removing trash and invasive plants along the Appomattox River Trail on Pocahontas Island.

06/16/2026

Fall volunteer schedule drop! If you're interested in helping FOLAR steward the trail, river, and forest buffer, sign up here: https://folar-va.org/join-us/volunteer/

06/14/2026

We at FOLAR are pleased to share that we're partnering with OCR Community Empowerment group on Pocahontas Island for our next Stewardship event on Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

Founded by Pocahontas Island resident Marlo Green, OCRCEG is a group of concerned residents rolling up their sleeves and working to improve quality of life on the island. They're making a master plan for the neighborhood, and are working closely with FOLAR to remove invasive species, and restore the waterfront.

Join us on Friday, June 19th, from 9-11AM at Rotary Park. Please dress for the weather and bring some water!

https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/volunteer/ #/join-party?k=1qyexhuca4oorm

06/10/2026

FOLAR volunteers rock! 🤘 This past Saturday we completed a major accomplishment: addressing the Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) stand that had fully taken over a large area of the forested buffer. Also, we picked up 8 bags of trash, including tires , chairs, and mystery rusty items from historic dumping areas.

On June 19th we will hold our final Stewardship event before the summer hiatus to celebrate Juneteenth with Pocahontas neighborhood group OCRCEG. You can sign up for that day or check out our fall volunteer events here: https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/volunteer/ #/join-party?k=1qyexhuca4oorm

06/07/2026

We’re celebrating today, June 6, by getting people out on the river and trails to serve as good stewards of our natural environment. Support FOLAR and to give back to the trails and make sure everyone can enjoy the outdoors. Check out our blog on National Trails Day and join us in caring for the Appomattox River Trail!

(We're also celebrating our Regional Trails Program Director today - happy birthday Heather Barrar!🥳)

06/04/2026

When we say our mission is to conserve and protect the lower Appomattox River for the enjoyment of all... we mean protecting even your weirdest-looking neighbors.

Meet the Hellgramite. It's not a centipede, or a huge dragonfly larva, it's actually the juvenile stage of the dobsonfly. 🪰 If you see a 5-inch-long winged insect in late summer, you've probably spotted the adult form. Remember: they're not interested in you, they're looking for smaller bugs to eat. Thanks for helping us keep these aquatic invertebrates, hellgramites, in the food chain! 😎👍

Do beware, these funky critters can bite. Luckily, the Appomattox River Trail is wide enough to give you and the wildlife space. Don't touch any animal you don't recognize!🙅‍♀️

Still curious about these bugs? Check this out: https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/eastern-dobsonfly

05/31/2026

"Leaves of three, let it be" goes the reminder. We've also heard "hairy vine, no friend of mine." This vine can grow along the ground, in bush-like forms, and up trees - sometimes sticking out from the tree like a small branch at eye level or higher.

Poison ivy has an oil called urushiol that causes allergic reactions in humans. About 15% of the population does not have the allergy, but it is said that ongoing exposure can increase one's sensitivity to it.
If you think you've touched poison ivy, wash the affected area with products that can break down oil, such as soap or alcohol (hand sanitizer in a pinch!), or poison ivy focused products like Tecnu.

Poison ivy is native here in eastern North America, so you'll be sure to see it around!

https://folar-va.org/what-we-do/native-plant-spotlights/

05/29/2026

Partners from all along the Appomattox River Trail were in attendance at the 2026 Community Service Awards, in addition to friends from fellow nonprofits and our dedicated members and volunteers (do you see someone from your organization in these photos?). These are the folks that make it possible for us to do what we do!

Over the past 25 years, FOLAR has become a full-fledged regional partner facilitating conservation, recreation, tourism, and economic development in the Tri-Cities and greater capital region. We're proud to be an indispensable resource for our local governments, regional partners, and everyone taking part in the shared project of protecting our river and improving quality of life. We're grateful that all of you are still as inspired as we are. See this year's list of awardees here: https://folar-va.org/join-us/awards/

05/27/2026

We accomplished a lot this past Stewardship Saturday! We made the trail more accessible by filling in a deeply flooded path area with gravel; we picked up lots of trash and cleared vegetation that was blocking pathways; and we freed trees and beautiful historic sculptures from encroaching English Ivy. It's so satisfying to see such a difference in the spaces we're working in.

Coming up we have our June 6th Stewardship Saturday (9am-12pm) and our June 19th trail cleanup (9am-11am), both at the Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island; 149 Rolfe St, Petersburg. Sign up to help here: https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/volunteer/ #/join-party?k=1qyexhuca4oorm

05/14/2026

The Community Service Awards are a chance to come together and celebrate our volunteers, supporters, and community and government partners. These are people who have played a special part in protecting the river, and creating better access to recreation and nature for our communities along the Appomattox River Trail. 🚣‍♂️🌳🚴‍♀️

Register today at no cost to join in the celebration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclVNFK75YKNy-2z6zEgLvt4ZRWUZ0mqGjsoXmHEcPygFsibQ/viewform

Doors open for mingling at 4:30. The awards ceremony will start at 5:00, and the reception with h'ors oeuvres and drinks will follow. See you there!