Volunteer for the James River
Join our effort to protect and restore America’s Founding River.
Whether it’s getting your hands dirty with one of our Watershed Restoration projects, or acting as a voice for the river through our Advocacy efforts, there is a job for everyone to play a part in making a cleaner James River.
Patrol your river
Our RiverRats program, now with over 200 volunteers, involves extensive training. RiverRats carry out at least three river patrols and one community action project per year. Action projects range from simply attending James River Association outreach events to tagging and tracking Atlantic Sturgeon with VCU researchers!
Monitor Water Quality
Become a guardian of river health by joining our water quality monitoring team! Volunteers undergo training and follow a rigorous sampling protocol to upload vital data like bacteria levels and turbidity. This information powers our James River Watch website, providing citizens with real-time river conditions from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Take Action
Join our Action Network, a powerful collective of thousands of advocates working to influence policy. Volunteers contact legislators, attend public hearings, and research regulations to protect our watershed. By helping us recruit others and speaking up for the river, you ensure our voice is heard where it matters most in government.
Install Living Shorelines
The first few years after a living shoreline is installed are critical for its long-term survival. As a volunteer, you will be trained to assess these sites, identify invasive species, and replace lost vegetation. Your hands-on work ensures these natural barriers continue to thrive, protecting our banks and improving local water quality.
Help Plant Riparian Buffers
Give back to the river by joining our James River Buffer program! Volunteers assist with large-scale tree plantings and perform essential maintenance on established buffer projects. These forests are the river’s first line of defense, filtering runoff and providing habitat. Your efforts help restore the watershed one tree at a time.
Remove Invasives in Richmond!
Help us reclaim our local ecosystems from aggressive, non-native growth! Each month, James River Association volunteers gather at Chapel Island and other Richmond sites to remove invasive species. These workdays are a great way to get outside, meet fellow river lovers, and directly improve the biodiversity of our historic urban waterfront.
Help Fight Stormwater
Our Green Infrastructure Stewards work alongside staff to maintain vital projects installed through the Greening Richmond Public Libraries Program. Volunteers ensure these sites function properly to reduce stormwater pollution while providing beautiful, well-maintained green spaces for the community. Your stewardship directly protects the James by capturing runoff before it reaches the water.
Remove Trash from our Watershed
Interested in helping to keep the James River and public spaces on its banks clean? Volunteer with one of the following organizations to clean up trash before it reaches the James River.
James River Park System
Contact Matt Mason at matthew.mason@richmondgov.com to organize your own cleanup in Richmond’s James River Park System.
Keep Henrico Beautiful
khb@henrico.us
Keep Virginia Beautiful
info@keepvirginiabeautiful.org
