David Reichert – April 2024

Last year, LACA used the $9,950 grant from DuPont to host an education and planting day in Lake Anna with the Louisa County High School biology classes along with 3 other planting events using adult volunteers from the community and the DuPont site in Richmond. We focused on shoreline planting both in the shallows and beside the water. About 2500 native plants were planted last year.

LACA is a recipient of a second $9950 grant under the DuPont Clear Into the Future program, but this year, we are shifting our focus to installing native plants in the riparian buffer. The goal is still to consume nutrients before they work their way into the lake where they become the feed that fuel harmful algal blooms (HABs).

The riparian buffer is a wide expanse along the shoreline where trees and shrubs help prevent erosion, slow water runoff and consume nutrients headed towards the lake. We will again combine education and planting to maximize the impact of this funding. We are looking for property owners up lake with at least 200 feet of shoreline willing to have a buffer of native plants installed within 20 yards of the waterline. We will also be sending out LACA e-grams closer to the planting dates looking for volunteers to help with the planting.

2023 LCHS Biology Class Education and Planting Event at Lake Anna

Volunteers from the DuPont Spruance site ready to begin planting.

david.reichert@lakeannavirginia.org