Whatever your interest in or aversion to white-tailed deer, you may eventually see fewer of them sprinting across the road, eating your cabbage or magnified in your rifle scope. The reason: chronic wasting disease, a fatal, incurable affliction that continues to spread in the mid-Atlantic. 

The word “orchid” evokes visions of far away jungles and exotic discoveries; the prize of the botanist, found only in distant lands or tucked away in affluent greenhouses. While not totally incorrect, this idea of these mysterious flowers hides the whole truth...

Until the end of September, all residents of the Upper Hazel River watershed are eligible to be reimbursed for between 50 and 80 percent of the expense of pumping, maintaining, repairing and replacing on-lot septic systems.

VIRGINIA BEACH — New legislation in Virginia will soon give some power to local governments and help environmental organizations and businesses combat plastic pollution.

The Sperryville Community Alliance is announcing a campaign to raise $60,000 to enhance, maintain, and expand the network of walking trails throughout the community. These walking trails seek to connect the village from the River District to the Route 211 corridor. They provide a space for seniors and families to walk and exercise as well as an opportunity to enjoy nature along the historic Thornton River.

Around midmorning on Tuesday, a young woman in a long white dress and a young man in a suit posed for a photographer at Big Meadows on the Skyline Drive. Less than 200 yards away, Dave Robinson was briefing his fire management team on the plan for the day’s prescribed burn. “Expect the unexp…

A great project for a spring day! Neighbors getting together, sharing the news and the fresh air… (some days, very fresh), and picking up the trash littering the roadside. 

Keep Virginia Beautiful (KVB) springs into action awarding thirty-five grants in thirty days during June for environmental improvement projects. The 30 in 30 Green Grants Program is open to businesses, schools, counties, towns and service organizations looking to make a positive environmental impact in their communities.

They’ve lived underground for 17 years, waiting. The last time they surfaced was in 2004, the year Lance Armstrong won his sixth consecutive Tour de France and Ken Jennings won a whopping $2.5 million on Jeopardy!, seizing the record for highest-earning American game show contestant of all time. 

The National Weather Service is cautioning Virginia residents in the central and northern regions of the state, including Rappahannock County, of high winds tomorrow. A high wind warning is in effect in the westernmost parts of the county from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday.

The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center has taken in a baby river otter found near a low water bridge in Luray. When its mother did not return, a Page County Sheriff’s deputy rescued the infant and it was transferred to the center in Boyce.

The Carney brothers have a bold vision for the new home of Pen Druid Brewing: “to turn the whole property into a synergistic permaculture garden.” Last Saturday, they invited community members to help realize that vision by planting a riparian buffer along the small tributary that runs through the parcel off Route 522 in Sperryville. In partnership with the Virginia Department of Forestry and Friends of the Rappahannock, a regional nonprofit dedicated to the health of the Rappahannock River, volunteers planted rows juvenile sycamore, river birch, red osier dogwood, gray dogwood, redbuds, buttonbush, indigo bush and black cherries.

The Piedmont Environmental Council estimates there are fewer than 40 bridges left in the state of Virginia that are as old as the pony truss over the Jordan River on Rappahannock County’s North Poes Road. Now, the community is rallying to preserve it as a historic landmark. 

RICHMOND — From vermicelli bowls to crispy chicken, Pho Luca’s, a Vietnamese-owned Richmond restaurant, uses plastic foam containers to package takeout meals. That may soon change after the General Assembly recently passed a bill banning such packaging.

A 62-acre property deep in Harris Hollow west of Washington was recently entered into conservation easement, the only such parcel of Rappahannock County land to be preserved in 2020.

RICHMOND — For a second year in a row, a bill that prohibits food vendors from using plastic foam containers is up in the air as the General Assembly hashes out a Senate amendment. 

Rapp Nature Campers of all ages are once again planning for their summer of exploring the habitats around Singing Creek in southern Rappahannock. Due to uncertain pandemic conditions, the summer sessions during this 36th year of camp in 2021 will be greatly modified as follows:

At its recent board meeting, Rappahannock Friends and Lovers of Our Watershed (RappFLOW) elected new officers to lead the organization over the next two years.

Highly contagious bear disease causes hair loss, painful, itchy scale-like skin

Recognizing which plants are poisonous in Rappahannock’s backyard 

The Rappahannock County Recreational Facilities Authority (RCRFA) is embarking on a feasibility study for an ADA-compliant accessible pedestrian path looping around the perimeter of the upper half of the Rappahannock County Park and among the recreational facilities. 

$130,000 already saved since county upgraded two refuse and recycling sites

Shenandoah National Park has announced projects that will be funded in 2021 by its philanthropic partner The Shenandoah National Park Trust. 

Phil Irwin, we have little doubt, was smiling down on the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors meeting Monday night, where his customary wicker chair sat empty for once, draped in black mourning cloth.

Do you enjoy watching birds at your bird feeder or in the field? Can you identify the species you see or hear? Do you live within a seven mile radius of the corner of Long Mountain Road and Tiger Valley Road? If so …

‘How sad that he didn’t live to see the new Comprehensive Plan adopted’

Autumn brings many great things to Virginians this time of year: cooler temperatures, sweater season, apples, pumpkins — and stink bugs. These little critters can be found crawling or flying into homes from late September to mid October as they search for warm places to overwinter.

All residents of the Upper Hazel River Watershed continue to be eligible for reimbursement of 50 to 80 percent of the expense of pumping, maintaining, repairing or replacing on-lot septic systems. 

How far away is the moon? How far is it to Saturn? How distant is any one star in the sky? How far is it to the nearest galaxy? How big is the universe?