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.
Connect with the James
Greening Richmond Public Libraries
Monitor Water Quality
Track the health of the James by collecting water samples between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
River Hero Homes
Become a River Hero Home to protect our local streams and rivers.
James River Leadership Expeditions
Join our year-long leadership program for all high school students.
Riparian Stewards
Volunteer to nurture and monitor select riparian forest buffers.
Lynchburg Summer Camp
Rising 3rd to 8th Graders will learn new skills and have fun along the way.
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.
Monthly Webinar Series
Learn more about your river in our free monthly webinar series.
News & Notes
Top 45 Camping locations in the James River Watershed
2021 marks the 45th anniversary of the James River Association! To commemorate this anniversary we are revisiting our ‘Top 40’ lists we shared back in 2016, celebrating some of the awesome experiences the James River watershed has to offer. We have updated the...
James River Rx – Reciprocity: A Key Part of the Ecotherapy Equation
The James River and its forested banks are one of the most healing spaces that I know. There is a ton of science to back up why our riparian areas are so good at this, but based on the increase in visits to many of our riverside parks over the past year, we obviously...