In 2024, Virginia Tech and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources began surveying the distribution of the elusive gray fox using hundreds of trail cameras across the state.
Henrico and Chesterfield parks departments joined the search earlier this year, adding 5,600+ wildlife photos to the bunch. Wandering does, turkeys, blue jays, and opossums caught the camera’s eye at 11 familiar spots, including Echo Lake, Twin Hickory, and Dorey parks.
The VGFP has encountered several gray fox photo-ops, but none yet in the Richmond area, according to VT News. This trail-cam capture was in Bedford County.
Photo via VGFP, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia DWR
The VGFP now prepares to enter its final field season in the summer of 2026. Keep reading to find out where research will continue + how you can support or participate.
Our top 10 trail-cam pics
Plus, for a little added fun, we narrowed down 10 of our favorite trail-cam captures so far. Sure, they might not all make it into National Geographic, but we make the rules here.
VCU Men’s Basketball vs. Samford | 7 p.m. | Stuart C. Siegel Center | $23+ | Secure your seats to cheer on the VCU Men’s Basketball team as they take on Samford at the Siegel Center. Don’t miss the energy, excitement, and Ram pride.*
Giving Tuesday, a global initiative to encourage generosity and kindness within communities. Our local volunteer guide can certainly help with that. Scroll up for a few upcoming gigs in today’s Events section; you can always find more local options online.
Environment
Editor Elise: I got to kick off the week in a fun and unexpected way — helping the Department of Wildlife Resources stock trout at Byrd Park. This program, running intermittently through April 2026, aims to boost fishing access in urban areas around the state. Just don’t forget your fishing license.
Ranked
RVA Mag’s 2025 Readers’ Poll is wrapped, crowning the local restaurants, retailers, and corner shops that reign supreme to locals. See the results. Local faves like Zorch, The Jasper, and Cobra Burger maintained No. 1 titles since previous years, but there are more spotlights to go around. (RVA Magazine)
Coming Soon
Pop-up retailer Rewind Vintage has a knack for retro nostalgia, but owner Holly “Fright” Clark is looking toward a more steadfast future — a brick-and-mortar shop on North Seventh Street in downtown. (CBS 6 + Richmond BizSense)
Community
Do you have extra toiletries, clothes, or books hanging around your home? Richmond Public Schools is seeking donations as winter weather and the holiday season approach. See the list of accepted items, and set a time to drop off goodies on Tuesday, Dec. 9, or Wednesday, Dec. 10. (WRIC)
Try This
Local burger joint Smashed RVA is countering the cold weather with some Californiacation — In-N-Out (Rip-Off) Week. Starting tomorrow, Dec. 3, and running through Sunday, Dec. 7, Smashed will serve inspired staples from the West Coast chain’s not-so-secret menu, available via carry-out or online ordering.
Looking for the perfect gift?The Virginia Lottery’s new holiday Scratchers are great for all the adults on your list: friends, family, or coworkers. You can never go wrong with gifting the Virginia Lottery.*
Local food truck 1115 Mobile Kitchen is about to get a little less mobile with a permanent location in the Fan. According to the business, this brick-and-mortar move is five years in the making. An opening date is still in the works, and you can catch the truck out and about in the meantime.
The perfect two-piece sweater set for winter. It features a long sleeve crew neck top paired with a split hem midi skirt. We love that it’s cute, comfy, and warm, and can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Bonus: It’s available in some great seasonal colorways like almond white + red white.
🛍️ How much did Americans spend at small businesses on Small Business Saturday in 2024?
43% of you were right on the money: $22 billion, according to the US Small Business Administration. We’re curious to see how this year’s final figures will compare.
The Wrap
The Wrap
Richmond’s restaurant scene always keeps us on our toes. Did you know? At the end of November, the owner of Lost Letter and Lillian opened a new restaurant in Scott’s Addition: The Brooklyn. (Richmond Magazine)
Have we blinked and missed any other local openings? Let us know.
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