A man who has worked to revitalize a pawpaw grove has received this year’s Louisa County Conservation Board Friend of Conservation Award. Tom Wahl was presented the award for his work at the Chinkapin Bluffs Recreation Area.

Wahl trained staff on grafting and donated genetic stock from the pawpaws at Red Fern Farms located in rural Louisa County near Grandview. He also met with naturalists and Columbus High School students in the spring to provide a hands-on lesson about native fruit trees and grafting.