County residents and library users encouraged to get involved in community planning effort
Every time it rains, pollutants, including sediment, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and bacteria from pet waste, flow from our yards into local waterways via stormwater runoff. Stormwater pollution adversely impacts the health of the James and threatens the health of people and wildlife. In an effort to increase public awareness of stormwater runoff and reduce it, the James River Association is working alongside Amherst County, Amherst County Public Library, and Four Winds Design, LC to plan improvements that reduce stormwater runoff on the grounds of library branches in Amherst County. The Greening Amherst County Public Libraries team is seeking input from residents of Amherst County and library users as it begins to create site plans for the Amherst County Public Library and Madison Heights Public Library. Input received via questionnaires available online and at library branches will inform improvements included in conceptual site plans that will be presented to the public in 2026.
Share your input!
The Greening Amherst County Public Libraries team is seeking input from residents of Amherst County and library users on improvements that can be made to the grounds of Amherst County Public Library branches through the end of the year. Anybody interested in providing input is encouraged to complete a questionnaire by December 31, 2025.
Click here to complete the questionnaire for Amherst County Public Library
Click here to to complete the questionnaire for Madison Heights Public Library
Greening Amherst County Public Libraries is a collaboration between Amherst County, Amherst County Public Library, Four Winds Design, LC, and James River Association. Generous support for the initiative is provided by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Chesapeake Bay Program. Click here for more information about Greening Amherst County Public Libraries.
Join the James River Association’s River Hero Homes program!
River Hero Homes is a community of stewards that realize the first step to a cleaner James River starts at home. Residents of the James River’s 10,000 square-mile watershed take a pledge and commit to adopting a minimum of three of the following five river-friendly conservation actions.
- Scoop the poop. Pick up pet waste to prevent bacteria pollution.
- Use native plants. Use regionally native plants and remove invasive plants in gardens and landscapes, including riparian buffers and living shorelines.
- Reduce herbicide and pesticide use. Reduce or eliminate herbicide and pesticide use to promote a healthy ecosystem.
- Reduce fertilizer use. Reduce or eliminate fertilizer use to reduce nutrient pollution entering our waterways, and encourage healthy soil by using compost.
- Conserve water. Reduce household water use and install a rain barrel to harvest rainwater for watering needs if possible.
River Hero Home members pledge to take action on behalf of our river. Join our River Hero Home community by taking the pledge.
River Hero Homes would not be possible without generous support from Altria and DuPont Clear into the Future. Their support allows us to promote conservation and stewardship practices that support a healthy James River. Click here for more information about River Hero Homes, and become a hero for the river today!