All guests and volunteers must register HERE
Join Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR), Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), and the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District (JMSWCD) for a day at the iconic Marriott Ranch in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
With a back drop of spectacular mountain views, this is a working farm that the Rappahannock River flows directly through. For over a decade Marriott Ranch has enrolled in voluntary conservation programs to protect the water resources on their property and improve the health of their cattle through conservation best management practices which provides and excellent opportunity to showcase conservation.
VOLUNTEERS: 9 am – 12:00 pm
Help plant trees, install a pollinator habitat or wildlife habitat structures. Volunteers will help plant trees and other vegetation in a riparian buffer along Fiery Run, a tributary of the Rappahannock River. This conservation best management practice will provide wildlife habitat, decrease erosion and sedimentation, and help improve water quality. After working on projects, all volunteers are invited to join the afternoon celebration free of charge. Registration is required.
CELEBRATION EVENT: 12 pm – 4 pm
At the Marriott Pavilion, food will be served along with music and activities. Children under 14 welcome at no charge.
We will have Rappahannock River oysters from the Oyster Company of Virginia, catered barbecue from Marriott Ranch, local wines and beers from the Piedmont region, live music, hay ride tours of the property and conservation practices, fish shocking demonstrations from Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF), and more!
Staff from a variety of conservation organizations will be available to answer questions and talk about local and regional environmental issues, land conservation, riparian buffers, and cost share programs available in the region.
