James River Week
September 14th – 21st, 2024
James River Week is a week long celebration of Virginia’s most incredible natural asset!
This week is the culmination of many like-minded groups coming together to offer recreational, environmental, and educational activities along the James River. James River Week not only encourages participants to enjoy the river’s many benefits but also raises awareness of the critical issues it faces. Whether you’re volunteering, embarking on a sturgeon-watching trip, participating in story time, or attending a festival, we encourage you to spend time this week connecting with the James and fellow river enthusiasts.
2024 James River Week Schedule At-A-Glance
Sat. Sept. 14 — James River Regional Cleanup — James River Advisory Council, Watershed-wide
Sat. Sept. 14; 10 am — Run of the River — Maymont Foundation, Robins Nature Center at Maymont, Richmond, VA
Sat. Sept. 14; 10 am — Richmond Clean-Up — Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Richmond Clean-Up – Crooked Branch Ravine Park
Sat. Sept. 14, 15, 21, 22 — The Great Return of the Atlantic Sturgeon Pontoon Boat Trips — JRA, Osbourne Landing, Hopewell, VA
Mon. Sept. 16; 10 am— Toddler Time — Maymont Foundation, Robins Nature Center at Maymont, Richmond, VA
Tues. Sept 17; 4 pm — Crafting the James: After-school Library Program — Keep Henirco Beautiful, North Park Library, Henrico, VA
Wed. Sept. 18; 10 am — Homeschool Days: James River Week at Maymont–— Maymont Foundation, Robins Nature Center at Maymont, Richmond, VA
Thurs. Sept 19; 10:30 am — Celebrate the James River Storytime — Keep Henrico Beautiful, Varina Area Library, Henrico, VA
Thurs. Sept 19; 3 pm — Discover the James — Keep Henrico Beautiful, Tuckahoe Area Library , Henrico, VA
Thurs. Sept 19; 6:00 pm — Rain Barrel Workshop — James River Association, Starr Hill Downtown at the Dairy Market in Charlottesville
Thurs. Sept 19; 6:30 pm — Birdwatching Paddle — James River Association, Lynchburg, VA
Fri. Sept 20; 10 am — Invasive Species Removal — James River Association, Richmond, VA
Sat. Sept 21; 11 am — Pawpaw Festival — Powhatan State Park, Powhatan, VA
Sat. Sept 21; 2 pm — Nurture with Nature — Scottsville, VA
2024 James River Week Programing
James River Regional Cleanup
Saturday, September 14th; 9 am
Join the James River Advisory Council in its 25th year of cleaning up the James River and its shorelines! The cleanup is a cooperative, regional event spanning more than 75 miles of the James River at 13 sites. Walkers, powerboats, paddle craft, and hikers will participate in a limited capacity.
Run of the River
Saturday, September 14th 10 am
Themed “Run of the River”, The Robins Nature Center highlights the remarkable ecology of the James River located along Maymont’s southern border in Richmond. The experience emphasizes the natural history of the area and environmental stewardship opportunities for the community. The Robins Nature Center, a 29,000-square-foot attraction, is the largest facility of its kind in central Virginia and holds close to 30,000 gallons of aquaria showcasing animals of the James River and Chesapeake Bay.
Kick Off the Project Clean Stream Weekend
Saturday, September 14th 10 am
Kick-off the fall Project Clean Stream weekend with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, September 14 with a stream clean-up event at Crooked Branch Ravine Park in Richmond, VA. We’ll gather at the entrance to the park at the end of Northrop Street starting at 10 am, before splitting up to collect litter along the trails and stream within the park.
The Great Return of the Atlantic Sturgeon Trips
Celebrate James River Week and the Great Return of the Atlantic Sturgeon with the James River Association! Join staff members on an outing on the Spirit of the James, the James River Association’s pontoon boat. Participants will learn about the natural resources of the James River and the endangered Atlantic sturgeon, which make an annual migration up the James River in late summer where they often can be seen breaching out of the water! $35 per participant. ALL TRIPS ARE CURRENTLY FULL.
Toddler Time at Maymont
Monday, September 16th; 10 am
Introduce your little explorer(s) to the joys and wonders of the James River at Maymont’s “Run of the River” exhibition. During this session, enjoy story time, a craft, and a visit with one of Maymont’s animals. Plus, you and your toddler might even make a few new friends! $15/parent and child
Crafting the James
Tuesday, September 17th, 4 pm
Join Keep Henrico Beautiful at the North Park Library on Tuesday, September 17th from 4pm to 5pm for “Crafting the James.” As part of James River Week, we will have river-themed crafts available for Elementary-age patrons. Library staff will have river-themed books on display and available for checkout.
Homeschool Days
Thursday, September 19th: 10 am
Get your hands dirty and learn about the importance of wetlands! Use dip nets to safely capture and observe aquatic creatures and learn about the importance of sub-aquatic vegetation for habitats and water quality. Through interactive technology, students will identify their watershed and discuss how wetlands are essential for a healthy James River. Designed for homeschool students ages 9-12 (4-7th graders).
James River Story Time
Thursday, September 19th; 10:30 am
Join us as we learn about our closest river and it’s importance through: stories, songs, rhymes and activities: float a boat, create a river habitat, go “fishing” and “float” on the nature trail. Best for ages 24-36 months with an adult: In the Storytime Room at the Varina Area Library.
Rain Barrel Workshop
Thursday, September 19th; 6:00 pm
Join the James River Association and Rivanna Stormwater Education Partnership for a rain barrel workshop at Starr Hill Downtown at the Dairy Market in Charlottesville on Thursday, September 19, at 6:00 pm.
Paddle in Lynchburg
Thursday, September 19th; 6:30 pm
Paddle the James River at Riveredge Park in Madison Heights. Our guided trips for up to 10 people last 1 hour and cover birding, local history, or fishing. Learn from an expert guide and enjoy the scenery. Book your trip today!
Discover the James
Thursday, September 19th; 3 pm
In this featured James River Week event, Captain Mike Ostrander, an eco-based guide from Discover the James, joins us for an overview of the raptor and Atlantic sturgeon populations found locally along the James River and identifies the best locations for sightings. There will be time for Q&A afterwards. This program is held in partnership with Keep Henrico Beautiful.
Remove Invasive Species at Chapel Island
Friday, September 20th; 10 am
Join the James River Park System Task Force in our monthly habitat restoration project at Chapel Island. Tools will be provided for volunteers, to be used individually and not shared. We do ask that you bring your own gloves.
Pawpaw Festival
Saturday, September 21st; 11 am
Powhatan State Park is hosting Central Virginia’s most exciting new event, the 2nd Annual Pawpaw Festival. The festival will feature an array of local vendors with bites, brews, crafts, and critters. Throughout the day you can explore acoustic music performances, ranger-led programs, and animal encounters. Special event parking/admission is $20 per vehicle.
Nurture with Nature
Saturday, September 21st; 2 pm
Enjoy an afternoon in Scottsville and experience the physical and mental health benefits of connecting with nature!
Activities include: Watercoloring, Hammocking, Mindfulness, Plants, Camping demonstrations, Guided walks, Water activities, and more!