From Friends of the Rappahannock
Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) is pleased to announce a new grant to support our work in
two regions of the tidal Rappahannock River watershed. Each year the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) awards over $10 million in grants throughout the Chesapeake Bay
Watershed to support programs and projects that improve water quality, habitat for fish and
wildlife, and provide exceptional outreach and educational opportunities.
Friends of the Rappahannock was awarded a $91,000 Small Watershed Grant from the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund to support a variety of
restoration, outreach, and education programs in the communities surrounding Urbanna Creek
and Carter’s Creek sub watersheds in the tidal Rappahannock River. The projects will focus on
oyster reef restoration, living shorelines, and stormwater management.
This grant program is supported by funding from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and was only
possible thanks to over $70,000 in local matching contributions.
“We want to expand our oyster restoration work in these creeks to include work on the
shorelines and upland watershed areas” said Richard Moncure, FOR River Steward.
“Using a tiered approach will target pollution reduction from all angles” he said.
FOR plans to partner with local watermen to restore oyster reefs in both creeks and local
schools. FOR will provide environmental education lessons and field trips to area students and
opportunities for the community to volunteer and experience the beauty of the Rappahannock
River. Additionally, FOR will partner with soil and water conservation districts on residential
stormwater solutions.
“This grant award is a direct result of the ongoing commitment of local partners and
communities to protecting and restoring the Rappahannock River and the Virginia oyster” said
Bryan Hofmann, FOR Programs Manager.
“We are looking forward to working with all our amazing partners to build on the success of
programs like the Restore Urbanna Creek and the incredible Urbanna Oyster Festival to make a
measurable difference with these projects.”
Programs are set to begin in the spring of 2019 and continue throughout the year. Information
on projects, tours, volunteer opportunities, and events will be available at www.riverfriends.org
and on social media.
