50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
When pollution, neglect, and indifference threatened the James River in the 1970s, a small group of neighbors chose action.
In 1976, a group of neighbors along the lower James River convened to confront growing threats facing the river they loved. From that gathering emerged the James River Association. Today, JRA is one of the oldest, largest, and most impactful river conservation groups in the country. Its founding came at a critical moment, when large sections of the James were closed due to toxic contamination. Since that time, JRA has been the leading voice in the James’ recovery, helping it transform from one of the country’s most polluted to one of its most improved.
Today, JRA fulfills its mission of protecting the James River and connecting people to it by integrating education, advocacy, and restoration initiatives to safeguard the river today and for future generations. It is the only organization solely dedicated to protecting the river’s entire 10,000-square-mile watershed, encompassing more than 25,000 miles of tributaries from its headwaters in the Alleghany Mountains to its mouth at the Chesapeake Bay.
What We Do
Restore & Conserve
Our habitat restoration & community conservation initiatives improve the health of the river and empower communities to improve stormwater management, reduce localized flooding, and expand tree canopy.
- riparian buffers
- living shorelines
- storm water run-off management
- green infrastructures
Protect
We provide a voice for the river and take action to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources, working with lawmakers to ensure the health of the river.
Educate
We engage more than 20,000 students annually with meaningful river experiences and standards-aligned environmental and life science lessons that inspire the next generation of river stewards.
The goal of the 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign is to raise $5 million to provide critical support annually to protect the James River and connect people to it today and always.
Keep the Comeback Coming
Endowment Goals
Over the next 50 years, our goal is to not only maintain but accelerate JRA’s impact toward a fully healthy, Grade-A James River that is valued by all of its communities. Together, we can:
ensure that the James River continues to have a strong voice in public policy matters,
leverage the new river centers to expand our award-winning education programming to engage the next generation of James River stewards,
bolster relationships with watershed communities to increase access to the river and assisting them in leveraging the James as a community asset,
continue to attract and retain the most talented and strategic JRA workforce, and
add to the stability and sustainability of JRA’s funding streams and business model.
Staff Contact
Joni Albrecht, VP Development
804.405.8990
jalbrecht@thejamesriver.org
Main Office Address
16 South 17th Street, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23219
