The James River Association is offering FREE rain barrel and native plants workshops to residents of Amherst County this fall. These workshops are intended to educate residents about stormwater management and empower them to implement river-friendly conservation practices at home.
Rain Barrel Workshop at Amherst County Public Library
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Location: Amherst County Public Library, 382 S. Main Street, Amherst, Virginia
Fee: Free for residents of Amherst County
Join the James River Association at Amherst County Public Library on Tuesday, September 23, at 6:00 pm for a workshop about rain barrels. Staff members will instruct workshop participants on how to assemble and install rain barrels at home. The registration fee for the workshop is free and each registration comes with a 55-gallon drum and RainRecycle Rain Barrel Kit from The Rain Barrel Depot. Click here for more information.
Native Plant Workshop at Amherst County Public Library
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Location: Amherst County Public Library, 382 S Main Street, Amherst, Virginia
Fee: Free for residents of Amherst County
Join the James River Association at Amherst County Public Library on Tuesday, September 23, at 7:00 pm for a workshop about native plants. Participants will learn about the benefits of native plants, how they support local wildlife, and where to source them. Registration for this workshop is free and each registration comes with a regionally native plant. Click here for more information.
Did you know that conserving water by using a rain barrel and planting regionally native plants at home could qualify you for 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 five following river-friendly conservation actions that reduce stormwater runoff.
- 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.
- 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.
Click here for more information about River Hero Homes and become a hero for the river today!
River Hero Homes would not be possible without generous support from Altria and DuPont Clear into the Future. Their support allows the James River Association to promote conservation and stewardship practices that support a healthy James River.