State of the James

The State of the James is a report card summarizing
ongoing efforts to bring the James River back to full health.

View the full report

BE A JAMES CHANGER

More than one-third of all Virginians rely on the James River and its tributaries for water, commerce, and recreation. Our vision is a fully healthy James River supporting thriving communities.  We believe if you change the James, the James will change you.

Explore

You can hike it, bike it, swim it, run it or raft it. How you enjoy the James River is up to you.

Support

We’ve taken the river from a D- to a B- in terms of overall health – but we need help to reach our goal of a Grade A James.

Volunteer

Whatever your interests are, there is a role for you in improving the health of the James River.

Discover

The James is Virginia’s largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, at 340 miles long it is one of the longest rivers in America that begins and ends in the same state.

James Changing Actions since Earth Day 2019

Record your action

Your actions make a difference

It has taken over four decades to take the river from one of the nation’s most polluted rivers to one of its most improved.

When you become a James Changer, you are joining a network of passionate and supportive river lovers across the Watershed, from the Alleghany Highlands to the Chesapeake Bay.

We encourage you to seek out your personal passion to help us change the James – and our communities – for the better.

RiverRat Program

We are recruiting the James River’s first line of citizen defense, the RiverRats, who play a vital role in protecting and restoring the James.

Riparian Stewards

Volunteer are needed to nurture & monitor select riparian forest buffers we have installed through our programs.

James River Buffers

Your property may qualify for a buffer planting. 100% of project costs are covered for qualifying landowners.

Living Shorelines

We can help eligible homeowners in the tidal watershed install living shorelines.

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News & Notes

James River Rx: Space for the ‘Wild’

Nov 12, 2021

When was the last time you saw something that just made you think “How is something this beautiful on Earth even possible!?” For me, it was a recent visit to our beautiful Upper James watershed. We are so lucky to have such large protected areas of wilderness in our...

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Press Releases & Statements

Events & Volunteer Opportunities