50th Anniversary 1976 – 2026
50th Anniversary 1976 – 2026
Summer Camps
Amherst, Richmond, Williamsburg and Hampton locations!
This summer, trade screens for sunshine and give your camper days filled with fresh air, new skills, and real adventure on the James River.
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
Protect the James
Teach and Learn
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
Our Mission in Motion
Experience the story of the James River’s recovery and how we’re working to protect it for the next 50 years.
Keep the Comeback Coming
THE LATEST
News & Notes
Press Release: Local Partners Invite Community to Celebrate Migratory Fish and Free-Flowing Rivers
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:April 28, 2026Local Partners Invite Community to Celebrate Migratory Fish and Free-Flowing Rivers World Fish Migration Day returns to Richmond on May 2 RICHMOND, VA (April 28, 2026) – Communities around the globe are once again...
James River Association Mourns the Passing of Dr. Mitchell A. Byrd
Photo Credit: Bryan Watts and Mitchell Byrd look for eagles as they travel along the James River in Hopewell in 2010. - Mark Gormus, Times-Dispatch The James River Association (JRA) mourns the passing of former Board member and distinguished professor of conservation...