Greening Richmond Public Libraries
The James River Association is working alongside Richmond Public Library, Richmond Department of Public Utilities/RVAH2O, and Four Winds Design to plan, design, and install green infrastructure practices that manage stormwater at library branches across the City of Richmond. Green infrastructure practices include rain gardens and street trees that enhance our built environment for the benefit of humans and the ecosystem of which we are a part. Green infrastructure contributes to healthier communities by capturing and filtering stormwater before it enters our waterways and expanding tree canopy to reduce the urban heat island effect. It also provides habitat for wildlife living among us.
Please direct questions about the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative to Justin Doyle, the James River Association’s Director of Community Conservation, at jdoyle@thejamesriver.org.
We are soliciting input on green infrastructure practices and outdoor amenities that could be installed at Richmond’s East End Branch Library from library users, stakeholders, and residents of Richmond’s East End. Please help us by completing this questionnaire by July 1, 2022.
You can also share input by participating in an in-person public meeting at East End Branch Library on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 5:00 pm. Click here to RSVP.
Join the James River Association and Richmond Department of Public Utilities/RVAH2O for a rain barrel workshop on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Click here to register.
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Interested in upcoming rain barrel workshops? Sign up here to receive a notification when workshop registrations open.
Richmond Public Libraries Plans
Broad Rock Branch Library – 4820 Old Warwick Road, Richmond, Virginia
Three bioretention basins that capture stormwater from the library’s roof and parking area were installed, a total of 64 native trees and shrubs were planted by volunteers on library grounds, and a pollinator area that features native perennials planted by volunteers was established.
North Avenue Branch Library – 2901 North Avenue, Richmond, Virginia
A bioretention basin that captures stormwater from the library’s roof was installed, a total of 44 trees and shrubs were planted by volunteers, and a pollinator area that features native perennials planted by volunteers was established.
West End Branch Library – 5420 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, Virginia
Three bioretention basins that capture stormwater from the library’s roof and parking area were installed and a total of 69 native trees and shrubs were planted by volunteers on library grounds.
Get Involved!
Every time it rains, fertilizers, herbicides, bacteria from pet waste, and chemicals flow from our properties into local waterways. Join other residents of the James River watershed in becoming a River Hero Home to protect the health and beauty of our local streams and rivers. Take the pledge and become a River Hero Home today!
Westover Hills Branch Library Goes Green!
The Westover Hills Library Advisory Group began the Rain Garden project in 2015 and has completed three phases to date. Improvements at Westover Hills include rain gardens, conservation landscaping, storm drain art, and an educational sign.
Many Thanks to our Partners
The Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative is supported by Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Altria, James River Association, RVAH2O, Richmond Public Library, Richmond Public Library Foundation, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and Virginia Department of Forestry.This initiative is supported by Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Altria, James River Association, RVAH2O, Richmond Public Libraries, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
