Catfish cookout along the Rappahannock

On August 2nd, the Rappahannock River Invasion: Catfish Cookout & Watershed Festival took place at the Patawomeck Museum & Cultural Center in Fredericksburg, VA. The Patawomeck Tribe of Virginia, IAN, and the Environmental Justice Journalism Initiative (EJJI) hosted the event. It also featured five regional partners who provided information and resources about their environmental intiatives. IAN's table offered its listening session approach that allowed for attendees to share their perspectives on considerations for improving the health status of the Chesapeake Bay and watershed. The highlight of the event was delicious blue catfish, and coupled with local music and beautiful weather, it made for a successful event. Situated adjacent to the Rappahannock River, the cookout brought awareness about invasive blue catfish and how their consumption can be an effective management initiative.