Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection, 291 Gay Street, Washington, VA (2026)

05/13/2026

DARK SKY EVENT!

Rappahannock County Park
Washington, VA 22747

Saturday, May 16, 8:15 pm

The Rappahannock County Recreational Facilities Authority, jointly with the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection, will hold its first dark sky event of the year at the Rappahannock County Park on Saturday evening, May 16. The event will begin at 8:15 pm at the park pavilion with two short presentations.

Torney Van Acker (RLEP) opens the evening with a presentation offering interesting facts and perspectives on NASA’s recent Artemis II lunar mission.

The second presentation, “Using the Big Dipper to Find Your Way in the Sky” features James Granahan (Northern Virginia Astronomy Club).

After the presentations, the public is invited to observe the night skies with available telescopes.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

(dark sky image by Joyce Harman)

05/12/2026

Today is the day! GIVE LOCAL PIEDMONT is today, May 12, 2026!

Please support RLEP during this year's Give Local Piedmont fundraiser!

The Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection (RLEP)
is dedicated to conserving the natural resources and rural character of Rappahannock County, Virginia.

This year, the Board Members of RLEP will match every dollar donated to RLEP up to $12,000. Increase the impact of your contribution to RLEP while this special match lasts!

Your support directly funds RLEP's programs, including:

Protecting Our Zoning: RLEP has engaged zoning and land use counsel to monitor zoning ordinance revisions, rezoning applications, and other land use matters to ensure Rappahannock’s rural character is not lost to ill-conceived development or code changes with unintended consequences.

Protecting Our Dark Skies: Educating and engaging the community is key to protecting our starry night skies for present and future generations and maintaining the designation of the Rappahannock County Park as an International Dark Sky Park.

Preserving the Nature of Rappahannock: RLEP believes that education inspires action. By highlighting the county’s extraordinary flora and fauna through library lectures, nature walks, invasive management classes, etc., we strive to help residents learn practical ways to steward their land and protect our special corner of the planet for people and nature.

By giving through the GLP website, your $50 becomes $100. Your $250 becomes $500. This is the most effective way to ensure RLEP has the resources to remain an active force for conserving the natural resources and rural character of Rappahannock County.

Thank you for being a co-steward of our very special county! Please donate today via https://www.givelocalpiedmont.org/story/2026rlepgivelocalpiedmont

05/11/2026

The Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection (RLEP) is proud to announce four winners of our RLEP Scholarships for 2026!

The scholarships support Rappahannock County students demonstrating leadership, academic promise, and a commitment to environmental stewardship. Awards help young people pursue higher education and careers contributing to environmental protection, conservation, sustainability, and science-based environmental solutions

Olivia Devening is a student at The University of Vermont, majoring in Sustainability and Ecology Policy. Nicholas Plaksin is pursuing Cinema and Media Studies at Carlton College, focusing on how media can advance environmental practices. Daniel Fletcher, a graduating senior at Wakefield County Day School, will enter William & Mary this fall, majoring in Environment and Sustainability. Finally, Isaac Plaksin, a graduating senior at Rappahannock County High School, will attend Skidmore College and major in Environmental Science.

“These students represent an emerging legacy of RLEP’s commitment to protecting the environment,” said Mike Wenger, chair of RLEP’s education committee.

These $2,000 scholarships are made possible by the ongoing, generous support of RLEP members. Please support RLEP today and tomorrow during Give Local Piedmont to help us continue supporting our local students! You can donate via Give Local Piedmont: https://www.givelocalpiedmont.org/story/2026rlepgivelocalpiedmont

https://www.rappnews.com/schools-sports/rlep-scholarships-support-rappahannock-students-studying-environment-sustainability-57c7194a

05/09/2026

GIVE LOCAL PIEDMONT is May 12, 2026!
Early Giving is now open!

Please support RLEP during this year's Give Local Piedmont fundraiser!

The Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection (RLEP)
is dedicated to conserving the natural resources and rural character of Rappahannock County, Virginia.

This year, the Board Members of RLEP will match every dollar donated to RLEP up to $12,000. Increase the impact of your contribution to RLEP while this special match lasts!

Your support directly funds RLEP's programs, including:

Protecting Our Zoning: RLEP has engaged zoning and land use counsel to monitor zoning ordinance revisions, rezoning applications, and other land use matters to ensure Rappahannock’s rural character is not lost to ill-conceived development or code changes with unintended consequences.

Protecting Our Dark Skies: Educating and engaging the community is key to protecting our starry night skies for present and future generations and maintaining the designation of the Rappahannock County Park as an International Dark Sky Park.

Preserving the Nature of Rappahannock: RLEP believes that education inspires action. By highlighting the county’s extraordinary flora and fauna through library lectures, nature walks, invasive management classes, etc., we strive to help residents learn practical ways to steward their land and protect our special corner of the planet for people and nature.

By giving through the GLP website, your $50 becomes $100. Your $250 becomes $500. This is the most effective way to ensure RLEP has the resources to remain an active force for conserving the natural resources and rural character of Rappahannock County.

Thank you for being a co-steward of our very special county! Please donate today via https://www.givelocalpiedmont.org/story/2026rlepgivelocalpiedmont

05/08/2026

Have you ever wondered who’s watching from the treetops after sunset? In this presentation, Alan Williams introduced us to the Great Horned Owl, the Barred Owl, the Barn Owl, and the tiny Eastern Screech-Owl. He discussed how owls hunt, communicate, and survive in forests, wetlands, and even backyards. In this presentation, uou’ll discover amazing adaptations like silent flight, night vision, and eerie calls. Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or just owl-curious, this presentation will open your eyes to the mysterious nighttime world above us.

Alan Williams is an Ecologist/Data Manager for the Shenandoah National Park. He works on a wide variety of projects including water quality, aquatic invertebrate monitoring, native trout monitoring, invasive plant monitoring, forest health, rare plant monitoring, and raptor restoration. In his free time he is an active participant in the Kestrel and Barn Owl programs in Rappahannock and surrounding counties. He has worked throughout Rappahannock and beyond to locate and install nesting boxes, develop monitoring sites, and educate citizens on how they can help support habitat for these magnificent (and ecologically critical) birds.

Watch is on YouTube! https://youtu.be/lRC9639sAog

05/06/2026

Many of our members ask, “What should I be doing THIS month to help nature?” Here are some things to consider for the garden and some local activities, in RLEP's May "Almanac"!

https://rlep.org/almanac/

05/04/2026

Have you ever wondered who’s watching from the treetops after sunset? In this presentation, Alan Williams introduced us to the Great Horned Owl, the Barred Owl, the Barn Owl, and the tiny Eastern Screech-Owl. He discussed how owls hunt, communicate, and survive in forests, wetlands, and even backyards. In this presentation, uou’ll discover amazing adaptations like silent flight, night vision, and eerie calls. Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or just owl-curious, this presentation will open your eyes to the mysterious nighttime world above us.

Alan Williams is an Ecologist/Data Manager for the Shenandoah National Park. He works on a wide variety of projects including water quality, aquatic invertebrate monitoring, native trout monitoring, invasive plant monitoring, forest health, rare plant monitoring, and raptor restoration. In his free time he is an active participant in the Kestrel and Barn Owl programs in Rappahannock and surrounding counties. He has worked throughout Rappahannock and beyond to locate and install nesting boxes, develop monitoring sites, and educate citizens on how they can help support habitat for these magnificent (and ecologically critical) birds.

Watch is on YouTube! https://youtu.be/lRC9639sAog

05/01/2026

Many of our members ask, “What should I be doing THIS month to help nature?” Here are some things to consider for the garden and some local activities, in RLEP's May "Almanac"!

https://rlep.org/almanac/

Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection

05/13/2026

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