1976 - 2026 | 50 Years of Protecting America's Founding River
This year, JRA is celebrating 50 years of helping the James River make a remarkable comeback—from a river so polluted it was closed to fishing to one that communities rely on and enjoy every day. Our theme, “Keep the Comeback Coming,” honors the progress we’ve made and also reminds us that the work isn’t finished.
Our Mission
To protect the James River and connect people to it.
Over the last five decades, the James River Association has grown from a small group of riverfront landowners in four counties to a watershed-wide organization with offices and river education facilities in Lynchburg, Scottsville, Richmond Hopewell/Chester, Williamsburg and Hampton, 50 professional staff and thousands of supporting members across Virginia. The James River itself has also transformed from one of the most polluted rivers in the country to one of the most improved and healthiest major tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay.
The original focus of the organization was to seek Scenic River designation to preserve the scenic, historic and aesthetic beauty of the river that had remained largely unchanged since colonists first established plantations along that section of the James River. Today, JRA’s programs have expanded in scope and scale and are driven by a deep commitment to inclusive stewardship and shared responsibility for the river.
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.
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 would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the funders, donors, volunteers, Board Members and Staff for the immense support that you have provided the James River over the last 50 years. Your amazing work is much appreciated as we work to Keep the Comeback Coming.
50th Anniversary Milestones
Throughout our 50th anniversary year, we’ll be highlighting select “50” milestones that tell the story of our impact.
Progress updated as of 1/1/26.
History of the James River Association
Key Moments in the James River Association’s History
Kepone Disaster
James River closed to fishing following the pollution caused by the Kepone environmental disaster. This time period is regarded as a rock-bottom moment for the river’s health, which sat at a D- grade.
Lower James River Association Founded
Lower James River Association (LJRA) founded and engaged 140 riverfront landowners across Charles City, James City, Prince George and Surry Counties.
First Executive Director
LJRA hires its first Executive Director, Patti Jackson, who attends the signing of the first Chesapeake Bay Agreement by the governors of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, along with the mayor of Washington, D.C.
First Endowment Gift
LJRA received the first gift to establish an endowment from the Kirby Family.
First James River Batteau Festival
First James River Batteau Festival held by Canals & Navigation Society.
State Water Board Appealed
LJRA appealed to the State Water Control Board (SWCB), the EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Governor’s Office to monitor dredging on the James River and prevent Kepone recontamination.
LJRA starts monitoring water quality
LJRA members began monitoring water quality in the James River as part of the Chesapeake Bay citizen monitoring program.
Henry W. MacKenzie, Jr. Environmental Scholarship
LJRA launches scholarship program for students seeking college degrees in natural resources.
Lower James River Corridor Study
Historic River designation
Historic River designation was granted for the section of the James River running through Charles City, Prince George, James City and Surry Counties.
Virginia Board of Health Lifts Ban
Virginia Board of Health lifts ban on lower James River fishing due to Kepone contamination.
First Major Fundraising Event
LJRA hosts first Westover Lawn Party fundraiser
Watershed Management Plan
LJRA releases Watershed Management Plan
Excellence Award
Governor Douglas Wilder awarded LJRA the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award.
Co-holds First Easement
LJRA agrees to co-hold an easement of 195 acres of wetlands along the James River at Governor’s Land with Historic Rivers Land Conservancy.
LJRA and Friends of the James Merge
The LJRA and Friends of the James merge to form the James River Association.
Conservation Organization of the Year
Virginia Wildlife Federation names JRA Conservation Organization of the Year
Eagle Habitat Project
JRA undertakes Eagle Habitat Project
Riparian Buffer Program
JRA launches Riparian Buffer Planting program
Water Quality Improvement Act
JRA helps to pass the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Act
Bosher’s Dam Fish Ladder
The fishway at Bosher’s Dam opened, and JRA led fundraising efforts to support the project.
First James RIVERKEEPER
James RIVERKEEPER program launched to be the eyes, ears & voice of the river as part of the international WATERKEEPER Alliance.
First Student Education Programs
JRA works with VCU to implement education programming at the Rice Rivers Center initiating JRA’s Education Program.
Building a Cleaner James
JRA conducts the Building a Cleaner James in collaboration with VCU, University of Virginia and Virginia Tech to evaluate and recommend improvements to 45 localities’ development codes.
America's Founding River
Congress designates the James River as America’s Founding River, recognizing its pivotal role in early American history.
State of the James Report
JRA issues revised State of the James report; the river receives a C grade with an overall score of 55%.
First Extreme Stream Makeover
JRA conducts its first of four annual Extreme Stream Makeovers to clean up and restore streams in Colonial Heights, Henrico, Lynchburg and Newport News.
Bald Eagle Win
Bald eagles removed from Endangered Species List and the number of nesting pairs of bald eagles on the James River reaches 120
Sturgeon Watching Trips
JRA starts sturgeon watching trips
First Living Shoreline
JRA’s First living shorelines project completed at Ducking Stool Point.
Sturgeon Reef Constructed
JRA partners with VCU to construct the first of three artificial spawning reefs for Atlantic sturgeon.
First James River Expedition
The first James River Expedition launched giving lifetime experiences to 2 teachers, 2 JRA educators and 12 students as they traversed the 340 miles of the James in 28 days.
James RiverRats Program
JRA’s James RiverRats program launched with 18 volunteers keeping watch over their adopted stretch of river
James River Splash and Dash
JRA holds its first Splash and Dash event consisting of a 5km run followed by tubing across the river to the finish line.
Governor’s Environmental Excellence Gold
JRA received the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Gold Award for its Extreme Stream Makeover program
Best River Town
Richmond named Best River Town by Outside magazine
River Hero Homes Established
JRA launches River Hero Homes program to promote implementing river-friendly conservation practices at homes
Spirit of the James
JRA adds Spirit of the James 40-foot educational pontoon boat to its fleet of education vessels
James River Ecology School
250 students educated in the first year the James River Ecology School opens on Presquile National Wildlife Refuge.
Regional Office Expansion
JRA opens regional offices in Lynchburg and Williamsburg
Envision the James
JRA in partnership with Chesapeake Conservancy and National Geographic completes Envision the James which created a shared vision for the conservation and enjoyment of the James River.
First Virtual Map of a River
James River becomes first river with continuous virtual tour along its full length through a partnership between JRA and Terrain 360.
River at Risk
A crude oil train derails in Lynchburg and sets the James River on fire. In response, JRA launches the River At Risk campaign.
James River Leadership Academy
JRA launches the James River Leadership Academy, a year-long environmental leadership program for high school students who are passionate and committed to protecting the future of Virginia’s natural resources.
First B Score for the James
The James River receives a B- in the 2015 State of the James report for the first time, making its way out of the C range.
New Richmond Landmark
JRA & partners successfully advocate for funding for the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
Regional Rivers Plan
JRA spearheads the Regional Rivers Plan for the Capital Region Collaborative.
James River Adventures
James River Adventures opens in Amherst County’s Riveredge Park across from downtown Lynchburg with guided trips and historic batteau rides, focusing on recreation and river stewardship
Thiess International Riverprize
Thiess International Riverprize awarded to the James River, considered the most coveted award of river and watershed restoration and is based on accomplishments in integrated river basin management.
New Consortium
JRA launches the James River Riparian Buffer Consortium, a group of partners with the shared vision of “Growing partnerships to create healthy streamside ecosystems for clean water in the James River today and tomorrow.”
Living Shoreline Work Advanced
Living Shoreline Collaborative launched to scale up implementation of resilient practices along shorelines in the tidal James.
James Changer Campaign
James Changer Campaign launched, raising $24.8 million over the following years. A cornerstone of the James Changer Campaign was the development of innovative new facilities designed to enhance our educational reach and on-the-ground impact.
James River Relief
JRA gave away 200 free paddle trips to exhausted hospital workers across the watershed to provide solace on the water through our James River Relief Program.
New Floating Classroom
Purchased Longview boat/floating classroom
Upper James River Center Opens
Opening of the Upper James River Center in the Greater Lynchburg Area
New Richmond Center
JRA opens the James A. Buzzard River Education Center on Richmond’s riverfront.
New Richmond Festival
JRA hosts the first annual EcoFest.
James River Film
JRA sponsors the Headwaters Down documentary, which chronicles a canoe journey down the James River.
Lower James River Center
JRA opens the Lower James River Center at Neck O’ Lands Visitor Contact Station at Colonial National Historic Park.