50th Anniversary 1976 – 2026

50th Anniversary 1976 – 2026

JUMP IN

The James River Association works to protect the James and connect people to it.

Keep the Comeback Coming

Find ways to enjoy and protect the river near you.

Enjoy the River

Find you River

Find endless ways to enjoy the James River.

Enjoy the James

Protect the James

Find Ways to Help

Your actions make a difference for the James.
Protect the James

Teach and Learn

Find Your Resources

Find resources for students, teachers, and explorers
Teach and Learn
U

The River's Story

James River History

Find cultural impacts the James has provided
The River's Story

OUR IMPACTS

Our goal is a Grade-A river that everyone in the watershed can enjoy. These are some of our accomplishments from the last year:

420 Acres of Riparian Forest Buffers Assessed 

22,000 Student Watershed Interactions

477 Water Quality Test Analyzed

268 Rain Barrels Distributed

 

ABOUT US

OUR WORK

Our Mission

To protect the James River and connect people to it.

Our Vision

A fully healthy James River, valued by all communities in the watershed.

We Protect

JRA monitors the river, responds to problems, seeks policy changes, and implements on-the-ground projects to restore the river’s health. We protect through our Watershed Restoration, James Riverkeeper, and River Advocacy programs.

We Connect

JRA helps communities benefit from the river by increasing river access, supporting river-related events, and implementing volunteer projects. We connect through our Environmental Education and Community Conservation programs. We believe in a James River for all.

EDUCATION

RIVERKEEPER

BUFFERS

STORMWATER

SHORELINES

ADVOCACY

THE LATEST

News & Notes

2025 James River Water Quality Recap

While the 2025 James River Watch (JRW) season provided important safety communications to river lovers across the state, it also serves as a vital check-up for one of Virginia's most cherished natural resources. A record number of volunteer citizen scientists joined...

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James River Association Celebrates 50 Years

PRESS RELEASEJanuary 5, 2026 CONTACT:Anna LukeDirector of Marketing and Communicationsaluke@thejamesriver.orgJames River Association Celebrates 50 Years of River Revival, Community Action, and Stewardship Richmond, VA (January 5, 2026) – The James River Association...

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