Policy on the #NNK

Crowdsourcing info sharing info (Crowdsourced) Outreach on the NNK , the only crowdsourced list of outreach locations on the NNK, has been updated but still needs some love and attention. What does love and attention mean in this context? First, to the updates made: NNK Food Trucks and Northern Neck Happenings, both FB groups, have been added to the Social Media tab. In addition, Northumberland Family YMCA has been added to the Physical tab since the org has a bulletin board where services and event information may be shared. And second, to the needing love and attention: If you are admin for a Facebook group or moderator for a subreddit, please review the information. If you make changes or even if you make no changes, update the update date so others are aware of the accuracy and timeliness of the info. The permissions are set so everyone is an editor. Activate Rural Virtual Workshop: From Creative Spaces to Creative Ecosystems Activate Rural Virtual Workshop: From Crea...

Wetlands Watch is recruiting volunteers for the October 10-12 2025 Catch the King tide mapping event . People of all ages are encouraged to participate in this once-a-year effort to track the highest tides of 2025 and, by extension, the flooding impact on the environment and communities. Volunteer opportunities range from leading local efforts to mapping to doing outreach. What about getting a group of neighbors together? A civic association? Some HOA members? Friends from the Y? Kids in camp with your kids this summer? In 2024, volunteers on the Northern Neck placed 498 virtual pins. With hundreds of miles of shore, more locations need to be pinned. Why volunteer Catch the King relies on volunteers to track the highest predicted tides of the year in southeast Virginia. The October King Tide happens when the moon, earth, sun, and fall full/new moons are aligned in this part of the state. Volunteer citizen scientists add their data to that King Tide data collected in ...

The 2025 Drinking Water Clinics for residents with private water systems (wells, springs, and cisterns) will take place in late October. The clinics are operated by local Virginia Cooperative Extension offices and registration, which is limited, is open now and residents are encouraged to sign up early. Each test costs $70 and is comparable to testing in the private market, typically costing $300. Water DROP OFFS take place Wednesday, October 29 . Extension service staff provide help interpreting water test results and information about addressing problems. Registration and additional information Lancaster County , Wednesday, October 29: Registration . For additional information, contact Jasmine Greer ( email , (804) 462-5780 ). Northumberland County , Wednesday, October 29: Registration . For additional information, contact Trent Jones ( email , (804) 580-5694 ). Richmond County , Wednesday, October 29: Registration . For additional in...

The Virginia Department of Forestry ’s Riparian Forests for Landowners program (RFFL) is a no-brainer for landowners. The program “provides flexible, no-cost riparian forest buffer installation and one year of maintenance to landowners. The program is being implemented by DOF and partner organizations in a unique watershed-based partnership.” The program is first come, first served and the application deadline is July 29, 2:00 pm . DOF is serious about improving and adding riparian forests: “The program covers the planning, site preparation, planting and one year of maintenance for riparian forest buffer plantings.” The requirements for new and expanded forests are: Buffers may be pine, hardwood or a mix of both. Buffers must be at least 35 feet wide and no greater than 300 feet wide per side from the water’s edge. Land must have less than 20% coverage by invasive plant species to qualify for this program. The landowner must ag...

Fredericksburg is taking planting natives head on. Plant Central Rapp Natives is a marketing campaign of a coalition of non-profit, governmental, and private partners, all working to reverse the decline of native plants and wildlife in Planning District 16. GWRC oversaw the formation of this campaign, and continues to oversee campaign materials and provide staff support to the campaign steering committee. ( Source , email) The Northern Neck can stand to learn something―um, a lot―from this group staffed by the George Washington Regional Commission. Learn more about the campaign* by attending the meeting Thursday, July 17 at 1:00 pm at the George Washington Regional Commission (406 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg) or by calling GWRC, (540) 373-2890. *This meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Native Plant Demonstration Garden at Cedell Brooks, Jr. Park and connecting with others who share a passion for native plants.

Businesses in GO Virginia Region 6 ―Fredericksburg area, the Northern Neck, and the Middle Peninsula (Planning Districts 16, 17, and 18)―are encouraged to identify challenges, opportunities, and needs they are facing so that the upcoming Economic Growth and Diversification Plan can reflect what is happening on the ground. Take the survey . The survey is open through August 4. Questions include: Number of years in operation The biggest economic challenges your business is currently facing Number of employees 2024 revenue Region/market served Your confidence in the local economy’s growth over the next year Primary industry The purpose of the plan is to grow local and regional economies. The TL;DR version is: The Economic Growth and Diversification Plan is intended to describe specific goals and actionable strategies that will produce measurable results over a two-year period. Addit...

Join the Rooted in Community: Nourishment, Culture, and Connection Through Food Tuesday, July 29 at Noon to learn the ways communities can “expand access to locally grown and culturally meaningful foods, redesign food banks and pantries as centers of community connection” and “promote models and build systems that are resilient and restorative.” Register for this Fair Food Network webinar .

There are soooo many ways the MapMyShore app can be used to track and improve shorelines. Use it to track shoreline status and flooding, as for instances. In both the short and long terms, VIMS will use this information to “update and validate the Virginia Shoreline Inventory — a key tool for understanding and protecting our waterways.” The MapMyShore Video Tutorial Series has everything you need to get started using the app. Learn more about MapMyShore in the MapMyShore Live Support Session Wednesday, July 16 at 10:00 am .

Oh, the possibilities of Cool Maps Cool Maps combines information about physical spaces with data. New York City uses it to get people outside and showing them the shortest ways from one point to another using various means of transportation. San Francsico uses it to illustrate urban growth over time. There must be some ways government, organizations, and community members can make use of this technology or the ideas underlying the tech on the Northern Neck. 11th Annual Turning a New Leaf Conference The 11th Annual Turning a New Leaf Conference takes place December 3 in Richmond. This conference will focus on exchanging ideas about sustainability in landscaping, stormwater management, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. Given our proximity to waterways, understanding and implementing better landscaping, stormwater management, and stewardship practices is essential. Free webinars for nonprofits My faves from 30 Free Nonprofit Webinars for July 2025...