James River Association

A James River Riverkeeper is the eyes and ears of JRA, keeping it and the public abreast of situations on the river. The Upper James Riverkeeper and Lower James Riverkeeper are on the river several days per week and work with the public, including boaters, fishermen, farmers and landowners, to promote awareness of issues and good stewardship for a cleaner, healthier river. The Riverkeepers are assisted by JRA's RiverRats, a volunteer corps of river monitors who patrol their chosen stretch of waterway looking for pollution and threats to wildlife habitat.

JRA implements solutions throughout the watershed to improve water quality. Throught volunteer programs such as public and self-directed trash clean-ups, River Hero Homes and community watershed restoration projects poeple of all ages have opportunities to participate in hands-on projects designed to prevent runoff and protect their local water quality. Each project has an educational component as many of the techniques learned by the volunteers can be applied at their own homes.

JRA works with decision makers throughout the watershed to increase their knowledge of the issues facing the James River and inform them on the best solutions that are available to them to benefit the James River.

JRA’s Community Conservation Program helps communities realize the benefits of a healthy James River. Economic and quality of life benefits are derived from recreation on the James River and its tributaries. The James River Association's Community Conservationists connect individuals to the James River by working with communities to plan and promote riverfronts, public river access, as well as land and water trails. Through the collaborative Envision The James initiative, Community Conservationists work with partners across the watershed to advance conservation and recreation efforts, including the Virginia Outdoors Plan, Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, Richmond Riverfront Plan, James River Heritage Trail, and Upper James River Water Trail.