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.
The James River Watershed
The James River is Virginia’s largest river, flowing across the entire state from its beginning at the headwaters of the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers in Bath and Highland Counties, to its mouth at the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton Roads.
Each year millions of Virginians go to the James and its tributaries to boat, fish, swim, hike or just take in the beautiful scenery.
News & Notes
WIP 105: The Final Bay Cleanup Plan is Out!
If you’re like me, “Back to School” can only mean one thing… a mad scramble to finish your summer reading on time! This summer, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) had a little summer reading of its own, reviewing over 4,800 public...
read moreFrom the Marsh: Native Plants
Marshes, like most other habitats, are best described by the plants that live in them. Differing conditions, such as the fluctuation of salinity and temperature, can allow for varied species to colonize areas. The marshes of Hampton Roads are home to many unique...
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