Newsroom
Conservation Tips: Tree Planting & Care
We love trees at the James River Association! Trees intercept rainwater and reduce stormwater runoff, add shade to our built environment and help cool communities, improve air quality, and sequester carbon from our atmosphere. Planting trees is one way to fight...
Speak Up for the James: Public Hearing on Airport PFAS Pollution, October 28
DEQ has called a public hearing, and now is the time to speak up! Join us on October 28 at 6:00 PM at Henrico Theatre (305 E. Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23075) to tell DEQ that the Capital Region Airport Commission’s stormwater discharge permit must do more to...
Conservation Tips: Leave the Leaves
As winter approaches and trees let go of the leaves still clinging to them, you may be tempted to reach for your rake or leaf blower to tidy them up. However, did you know that a variety of wildlife species depend on fallen leaves, twigs, dried stems, and grasses to...
James River Recreational Water-Quality Results for 2026
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:September 15, 2026 CONTACT: Anna LukeDirector of Marketing and Communicationsaluke@thejamesriver.org James River Met Recreational Water-Quality Standards 87% of the Time During 2026 Monitoring Season Nearly 87% of samples met...
THE COLLECTOR’S BARREL: James River Art in Action
Congratulations Winner - Emilee Adamson Congratulations to Emilee Adamson! You are taking home this custom, river-inspired rain barrel created by artists Matt Lively and Ed Trask (complete with delivery and expert installation by our team!). A massive THANK YOU to...
Press Release: JRA to Celebrate 50th Anniversary at Third Annual EcoFest
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:September 1, 2026 CONTACT: Anna LukeDirector of Marketing and Communicationsaluke@thejamesriver.org James River Association to Celebrate 50th Anniversary at Third Annual EcoFest Free community festival will feature a new nature...
Spend Labor Day on the James
Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to soak up the last days of summer with family and friends. The James River has opportunities for thrill-seekers, nature lovers, or people just looking for a relaxing day by the water. Here are some unforgettable ways to celebrate...
2026 Native Plant Workshops
Support a Healthy James: Plant Native This Fall! Adding regionally native plants to gardens and landscapes in your yard is an easy river-friendly conservation practice that can be implemented at home. Regionally native plants incorporated into rain gardens and...
2026 Rain Barrel Workshops
Conserve Water at Home Using a Rain Barrel Rain barrels are an easy and economical way to water plants and reduce stormwater runoff at home. Did you know that a single rain barrel can harvest hundreds, even thousands of gallons of rainwater annually? That’s A LOT of...
Meet the Water Quality Expert Behind James River Watch
August is National Water Quality month, and what better way to celebrate than by learning about JRA’s GIS and Water Quality Manager, Michael Gillert? As the backbone of the James River Watch program, Michael guides volunteers in gathering bacteria samples at various...
