Today on the James

May is Membership Month

2013-05-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

You’re going to hope your JRA membership is up-to-date when you read this!

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking fly fishing lessons or rafting down the James with a few of your friends to celebrate a special occasion, here’s your chance. The James River Association is now offering exclusive discounts to help its members get out and enjoy the James.

Your JRA membership (at any level) now entitles you to exclusive discounts of up to 20% at select outfitters and vendors throughout the watershed. And, there are more new vendors and exciting opportunities to come!

JRA members are an important part of everything this organization is doing to protect the James and your efforts are rewarded by a healthier river… but we wanted to do more to thank you for being a loyal JRA member. All current JRA members in good standing are eligible for the discounts; just show your valid membership card.

But wait there’s more! If you live within the James River Watershed and become one of JRA’s certified River Hero Homes, you’ll also be eligible for additional discounts at local nurseries and garden centers. It’s an easy and effective way to reduce your homes stormwater pollution and protect the James from runoff.

No currently a valid member? If you used to be a JRA member but let your membership lapse, now is the time to renew! You can do itonline now. If you’re not yet a JRA member, don’t’ wait any longer to join. We have a special limited time membership rate and a gift just for you, because May is Membership Month! Go to our membership page and find out more.

What are you waiting for? It’s a beautiful day to use your new discounts and enjoy your river!

What Bugs Tell Us

2013-05-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

What Bugs Tell Us

This spring, find your way to a nearby steam and turn over a large rock from a riffle. The scurrying or clinging little life forms you uncover are called benthic macroinvertebrates by scientists who are trying to tell us that these are the spineless animals that we can see living at the bottom of the creek. Invertebrates, such as mayflies, are critical to the aquatic ecosystem; without them there would be no fish, no heron, and no fisherman. Like earthworms in the soil, they eat dead organic matter like leaves, and themselves become food for larger predators. By bridging death and life, they form an essential link in the nutrient cycle.

Playing in the creek as a boy, I was amazed by the confusing array of different critters I could find. This probably meant I was playing in a healthy stream. As we learn to identify these creatures, we find that cleaner waters support more biodiversity. This general observation has been distilled by science:

"Freshwater invertebrates are used more often than any other group of organisms to assess the health of freshwater environments. Some kinds are very sensitive to stress produced by pollution, habitat modification, or severe natural events, while others are tolerant of some types of stress. Taking samples of freshwater invertebrates and identifying the organisms present can reveal whether a body of water is healthy or ill, and the likely cause of the problem if one exists, much like an examination by a physician." (Voshell, A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America, p. 11)

When we find a diverse array of invertebrates that cannot survive in a polluted stream, we know we have an intact ecosystem. On the other hand, upon pulling a seine net from a stream to find only a homogenous sample of a certain fly larva or snail, we may conclude that this body of water is in distress.

Assessing ecosystem health by sampling the diversity of life it supports, calledbiomonitoring, shows scientists the big picture. While a chemical test of the water may yield precise numbers, it offers only a limited snapshot; recent weather conditions and seasonal variation can easily distort the picture. Biomonitoring, on the other hand, tells a more complete and subtle story of the life and times of the particular stream of interest.

In spring many freshwater invertebrates are getting ready to swim to the surface and undergo metamorphosis, much like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. Emerging from their old skin, they forego the swimming, clinging existence of a nymph for the life of a flying adult. These are the dragonflies, damselflies, mayflies, stoneflies, caddis flies, crane flies, and even the gnats and mosquitoes. All these creatures are as aquatic as they are airborne. It’s a dramatic season of change, and the perfect time to head for the creek to look under rocks and explore the world below. By learning to identify these fascinating animals, you’ll soon be predicting the health of your local creek.

Learn more:
Online key for freshwater invertebrates. >>The best book to learn to identify and understand freshwater invertebrates. >>

2013 Poster Contest

2013-05-03T11:34:00.002-07:00

The results are in from JRA’s third annual poster contest “What a Healthy River Means to Me”!

JRA received nearly 250 entries from across the James River Watershed depicting lots of healthy fish, wildlife and happy river enthusiasts as part of our “What a Healthy River Means to Me” poster contest. Middle school students in the City of Richmond, City of Lynchburg/James City County and public middle schools in Henrico County and Chesterfield County that are located within 5 miles of the James River were eligible to participate.

Congratulations to the winning students: First place: Kristen Street, Midlothian Middle School, Chesterfield County; Second place: Joshua Hubbard, Manchester Middle School, Chesterfield County; Third place: Carson Clark, Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County; Fourth place: Grace Chun, Sandusky Middle School, Lynchburg.

The winning artists’ science teachers are: Karen Jaeger, Midlothian Middle School; Deborah Bodsford, Manchester Middle School; Donald Mugford, Tomahawk Creek Middle School; Leah Purvis, Sandusky Middle School. Both the teachers and the students were awarded cash prizes.

First Place
Kristen Street
Midlothian Middle School
Chesterfield County

Second Place
Joshua Hubbard
Manchester Middle School
Chesterfield County

Third Place
Carson Clark
Tomahawk Creek Middle School
Chesterfield County

Fourth Place
Grace Chun
Sandusky Middle School
Lynchburg

Honorable mentions in the contest are: Daniel Aultice, Sandusky Middle School, Lynchburg; Justin Bagby, Albert Hill Middle School, Richmond; Christian Slater, Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County; Gia Schiavone, Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County.

Daniel Aultice
Sandusky Middle School
Lynchburg

Justin Bagby
Albert Hill Middle School
Richmond

Christian Slater
Tomahawk Creek Middle School
Chesterfield County

Gia Schiavone
Tomahawk Creek Middle SchoolChesterfield County

Thank you to all the students and teachers for your participation!

More Can Cost Less When You Go Native

2013-04-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

By Judith Warrington, owner of a certified River Hero Home

Here’s one more good reason to become a certified River Hero Home: saving money! After too many years of falling in love with a bright, promising annual or pinning my hopes on a perennial that can’t take the heat and humidity of a Richmond summer, I’ve gone native. This spring you won’t find me at the garden center wasting money on a big pot of “something” simply because its flowers are blue. This spring any plant I purchase has to be suited to the region and it has to be a native!

The River Hero Homes program is designed to reduce stormwater runoff from your home, but the benefits of river-friendly practices, like planting a BayScape with native plants, also provides food and habitat for wildlife.

Native plants were a new concept for me. In my first year as a River Hero Home, I planted my BayScape on a somewhat experimental basis to see which native plants would work best for my backyard’s mixture of sun and shade. Admittedly, my original plant choices were pretty random. But this past warm weekend revealed some welcome surprises in the new garden.

The Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) is coming back with a vengeance. That means there will be plants to share with the neighbors. Plus, the goldfinch enjoyed the seed heads last fall, so that was an added benefit. The Chysogonum, (Green and Gold) never went away during our not-too-cold winter and is happily putting out bright new growth. (This low-growing native plant may be my favorite discovery.)The Chelone (Turtle-head rose) proved to be a charming addition to the semi-shade area and the Asclepias tuberosa, (Butterfly weed) loved the blazing sunny portion. A plant that is usually late to emerge, the Butterfly weed had more than a few colorful visitors last summer. My fingers are crossed that it will come back!

Last weekend found me at the garden center, loading a cart up with pots…all of them native plants. It felt good to know that I wasn’t gambling my money away on plants that might -- or might not -- be happy in my BayScape. It also felt good to show my River Hero Home card at checkout and get a discount on my rather sizable purchase. This spring you should consider becoming a River Hero Home and going native. You’ll enjoy a more successful gardening experience with less work, less water and you might spend less money.

www.jamesriverhero.org

JRA Celebrates Earth Day in Richmond

2013-04-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

by Judith Warrington, JRA's Communications Coordinator

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the JRA booth on Saturday at the Richmond Earth Day Festival at the historic 17^thStreet Farmers Market sponsored by Enrichmond. Our rain barrel raffle was a big hit and a number of people took the time to tell us about how they are using rain barrels at their home.

One of the best stories came from a man who had moved his family to Richmond from New York about three years ago, an extremely hot year. His mother was thrilled to have a place to grow roses at their new home. But he was shocked by how high his water bill was. He’d never had to pay for water before. His solution was to build a rain barrel out of a big trash can. He connected it to a downspout at the back of his house, beside his other trash can and conveniently located near his mother’s beloved rose garden. The result was a big savings on his water bill, a beautiful, well-watered rose garden, and a happy mom! He has since added other barrels and wants to do even more to save on his water usage.

Many people were surprised to learn that their rain barrels and other river-friendly practices put them well on their way to being a certified River hero Home… and that all they needed to do now was to apply to receive their certification and benefits! One woman who has multiple rain barrels in use, native plants, does not fertilizer her lawn, leaves her grass clippings in place and always picks up after her dog, looked at the list of RHH partners offering discounts and said, “I was just there and spent over $100 on plants!” Next time she goes to the garden center she’ll probably have her River Hero Home discount card!

Have you applied to become a River Hero Home yet? Make every day Earth Day. Become a certified River Hero Home. Help protect the James and save money by applying today.

The Top 5 Plants We Do Not want to See in the James River Watershed

2013-03-07T11:14:00.002-08:00

by Amber Ellis, JRA watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

Invasive plants have become one of the most serious threats to native species, natural communities, and ecosystem processes. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has a great listthat breaks plants down by highly, moderately, and occasionally invasive. Here is a list of our Top 5 invasives that are often seen in our parks and around our homes. Help keep these “invaders” out of the James River

watershed:

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Japanese knotweed (Polygonum perfoliatum)

Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense)

Phragmites(Phragmites australis)

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

March 3 through 8 is National Invasive Species Awareness Week! Want to celebrate, but not sure how? Participate in a local invasive removal event, go out your backdoor and see if there are some pesky invasive plants to remove, or go out and plant natives!

More Resources:

Ivy out of Richmond

Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas

Invasive Species in Virginia

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: WATERSHED RESTORATION

2013-02-26T09:13:00.000-08:00

by Amber Ellis, JRA's Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

The People

JRA’s Watershed Restoration “team” is made up of only two people who cover the entire watershed!

Michelle Kokolis is the Watershed Restoration Program Manager and has been with JRA since 2008. She grew up just north of Pittsburgh near the Allegheny River and if you have ever met her, you will know she is a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan! Michelle received a Masters of Science in Biology with a concentration in Wetland Sciences from Old Dominion University. One reason our staff love her? She can make one mean cupcake!

Amber Ellis splits her time between Watershed Restoration and Volunteer Coordination for all programs and has been with JRA since May 2010. Amber grew up in Powhatan County and has a healthy obsession with gardening. She may be the only person that actually enjoys weeding! Amber received a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech and is a licensed Landscape Architect in Virginia.

The Work

People may think that we are outside every day planting trees., but about 75% of our time is spent in the office. While our projects evolve constantly, there are a few things that remain constant: engaging the public through hands-on projects and educating the public on watershed health.

Our volunteer events include cleanups, rain garden maintenance, and planting. The Self-Directed Trash Program allows groups to direct their own cleanup with site ideas and supplies provided by us. Extreme Stream Makeover is a major project that we do every couple years within the James River watershed. This is a weeklong restoration project that targets an impacted urban stream. During that intensive week volunteers remove trash, build rain barrels, plant buffers and install rain gardens in the targeted area.

Corporate partner often want to conduct a team building or community service event and with their support, we are able to provide an event catered toward their needs. Some examples have included an invasive species removal and bluebell planting at Pony Pasture with the employees of Tredegar and a tree planting at Bryan Park with Altria staff.

Our education efforts include rain barrel workshops, presentations to groups, and the River Hero Homes certification program. This program recognizes homeowners who are taking steps to improve water quality on their property. Some steps they can take include installing a rain barrel, cleaning up after their pet, or planting natives.

There are many ways for you to become involved with JRA’s Watershed Restoration efforts. Sign up to volunteer today for one of our upcoming events, rain barrel workshops, or become a River Hero Home!

The Eager Beaver

2013-02-22T11:19:00.000-08:00

By Georgia Busch, JRA Intern

The North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is probably best known for its tree-trimming and pond flooding abilities. But these large, “destructive” rodents have a long history in fresh water ecosystems just like the James River.

It is well-known that beavers instinctually gnaw on trees to cut them down in order to create dams. Beavers follow the sound of rushing water up small streams and even large rivers to find a specific spot to start dam construction. Using their enormous front incisor teeth, beavers will carve into the base of a tree until it falls. These trees, combined with twigs and mud, create a stable, concrete-like consistency to keep the beaver dam in place. Once a beaver dam is erected, up-stream flooding will occur, making a beaver pond. These ponds provide sheltered habitat for the beavers where they continue constructing lodges and borrows. Beavers are very smart when building their lodges and most make a two-level platform; one for sleeping and one for drying their fur. It’s a lot of work to make a beaver home!

Once a dam, pond and lodge are constructed, beavers will sometimes vacate the area, but most stay to maintain their homes. Beaver dams are not permanent and would most likely collapse without upkeep. These dams have a secondary purpose to control water levels, ensuring the ponds are deep enough to prevent them from fully freezing in the winter. Beavers will also temporarily breach the dam to lower the water level to create more breathing room beneath the ice if the pond does freeze.

In these beaver communities, males and females gather to reproduce. Beaver pairs are monogamous, mating together for many seasons. Baby beavers, or kits, are born two to six at a time after approximately 128 days of gestation. They grow up inside the lodge, venturing out into their protected ponds with their mother. Kits learn to use their webbed hind feet as flippers to propel them through the water. They also learn how to recognize danger from their mother’s signal. She will slap her flat, leathery tail against the surface of the water, warning the kits to dive below.

Some people would say that beavers’ natural activities are a destructive nuisance. However, studies have shown that beaver dams and ponds provide many benefits to freshwater ecosystems. Large beaver ponds provide stop-over habitat for migrating water fowl and nursery habitat for freshwater fish. Beavers also enhance riparian habitat by cutting smaller trees, providing room in the forest understory for shrubs and diversifying the composition. Indirectly, they also create wetlands habitat from flood water collection. Beaver ponds even increase stream flow during dry seasons by seeping stored rain water. All of these effects categorize beavers as a keystone species because their activities bring diversity to the area. The next time you are paddling, boating, biking or hiking near the James, keep an eye out for some eager beavers working to enhance the ecosystem.

A Float Down Memory Lane (Part 3)

2013-02-20T06:22:00.001-08:00

RiverRat Aaron Johnson Retells his Journey in a Kayak from Charlottesville to Richmond (Part 3)

September 20, 2006

The campsite was perfect, soft dirt and the pleasant sound of the river…until the sun went down and the first train went by. Rumbling engines and clacking cars made sleep impossible. At about 6 a.m. we gave up and crawled out of the tent to begin Day 3. After breakfast and coffee we sat around waiting for the sun to give us enough light to pack the boats and get going again. We were on the water by 8 a.m., which would turn out to be the most beautiful and interesting day of the trip.
Our morning goal was to reach Cartersville for coffee. This little town is very quiet and charming, but not a good place for restocking. We saw two people there: an old man fishing, and a person who tried to squash us with a car.

The old man immediately reminded me of my grandfather. As we reached the beach he started into a conversation as if he knew us, just like Papa. Upon learning about our journey, he went into a story about his trip down the James some years back. He drifted down the river for four days, fishing the banks. At night he camped on islands, eating the fish he caught. This served as a reminder that this journey Erik and I have embarked on is a timeless tradition that ties us river rats together across generations.

After leaving Cartersville, we paddled along the James, sometimes being so far from each other we didn't talk for hours at a time. Erik paddled the banks trying to find treasure. I don't enjoy the threat of dead trees falling on me, so I stayed near the middle and enjoyed the easier paddling of the faster water there.

Everybody thinks I'm kidding when I mention dead trees falling into the water, but this was the day that Erik learned my fear was rooted in some truth. I was ahead of him when I heard a tremendous crash. I turned around to see him looking back at a very large limb that had just fallen very closely to his kayak. Astonished, I watched as he brushed the twigs off his boat and continued paddling.

To follow: River Fairies and navigating the Falls of Richmond with heavily loaded, not-whitewater kayaks.

A Float Down Memory Lane (Part 2)

2013-02-13T05:42:00.002-08:00

RiverRat Aaron Johnson Retells his Journey in a Kayak from Charlottesville to Richmond

September 19, 2006 (Day 2)

We woke up a few hours after dawn to break down the camp and prepare our boats for our first long day. Day two found us leaving the Rivanna and entering the expansive James River at Columbia.

In its day, Columbia was a bustling city having the advantage of prime real estate at the intersection of the two busiest shipping lanes in that area of the state. Batteau carried goods to and from Charlottesville on this route. A system of locks, canals, and dams were built to accommodate the boats. In some areas of the Rivanna the ruins are still visible, including an aqueduct that actually crossed the river at one point.

It was in the James that we started noticing strong vegetation growth in the water. Paddling was difficult in some areas because we were plowing through grass beds, even in deep water. Underwater grasses are great for water quality, but not for paddling!

Thunderstorms had been forecast for this day for about a week. We got hit hard for about twenty minutes with barrels of rain. Soaked and tired, after covering 30 miles we made camp on an idyllic island.

Idyllic until the sun went down and we realized we weren’t going to get any sleep…

To follow: A sleepless night, a man with a story, and a disaster that threatens our trip.

A Float Down Memory Lane (Part 1 of 4)

2013-02-06T06:16:00.000-08:00

RiverRat Aaron Johnson Retells his Journey in a Kayak from Charlottesville to Richmond

In 2006 I approached my brother-in-law, Erik, with my plan to kayak from Charlottesville to Richmond. Erik was one of the first people I talked to about the trip because 1) he would be the only person I knew that would take me seriously and 2) he would want to go, which was good, because he had a tent and I didn’t. Over a series of four blogs, I will share the story of this 4-day/3-night adventure on the James.

September 18, 2006 (Day 1)

Getting started was the hardest part. The boats were loaded in my front yard with water, food, clothes, tent, sleeping bags, and various odds and ends. We couldn’t shuttle cars between Richmond and Charlottesville, so we had to carry everything by hand and cart to the put-in.

Erik had the biggest, heaviest boat, so we strapped a kayak cart to its stern. We formed a kayak train with human couplings and headed down toward the river. One of us was on the bow of my 10.5’ crossover, while the other was at the stern dragging Erik’s 15’ touring boat behind. It is worth noting that most of the injuries for the entire trip occurred while getting to the river!

Erik’s boat, the workhorse of the trip. He is carrying everything I am, plus more water, the tent, stove, even the wheels that we rolled it to the river on. With him sitting in it, the boat only had about two inches of freeboard! But it lost weight everyday as we drank more water and ate more food.

On the bow of my boat, seen in this picture, is a dry bag with all the food I will have for the trip (minus a bag of M&Ms and a Dr. Pepper that I will acquire later on), along with three gallons of water, my sleeping bag, a pair of flip-flops and assorted odds and ends that I tossed in there along the way.

At 11:30 a.m. we put in below the Woolen Mills dam (which was breached one year later) on the Rivanna River and began our adventure to Richmond.

The Rivanna River was flowing very well. Ruins from the Rivanna’s trade route days could be spotted along the banks and under the water. Remnants of wing dams, hydropower dams for mills, canals, towpaths, and locks can still be seen along the Rivanna from Charlottesville to Columbia.

At about 16 miles from our put in, near Palmyra, two public camping areas were marked on the map. The first one was on an island and the second was on the right bank, past the island. We stopped at the island, which had obviously been camped on (LNT hasn’t made it this far, I guess), and stayed the night.

Come back next week for Part 2.

In Service to the Environment

2013-01-31T07:46:00.002-08:00

On a sunny, chilly January 21, volunteers led by JRA RiverRats from the Lynchburg region and your Upper James Riverkeeper celebrated the MLK Day of Service doing exactly that – service. RiverRat Billy Taylor of Amherst County received notice of an illegal dumping of tires into a beautiful and historic James River tributary historically known as Stovall’s Creek, now called Beck Creek. One can find paintings and photos representing these once vibrant resources of James River industry and community. The historically registered Galt’s Mill and headrace, still intact hand-laid stone bridge pilings and gorgeous waterfalls are eye-catchingly on display to the fortunate public who drive beside this rural and otherwise unspoiled feeder stream. Well, that and dozens of tires and piles of trash discarded by passersby.

It simply did not seem appropriate. Alarmed folks who saw it were caught speechless. But thanks to multiple volunteers, including students from Lynchburg’s E.C. Glass High School, the stream was restored to its previous splendor. Fifty-two tires and a truckload of rubbish were removed and properly disposed. Bridgestone Americas, Inc. graciously covered all costs of hauling the tires to a local tire re-use/recycle facility. Local television and newspaper sources spotlighted these generous efforts. The issue was noticed and conscientious people responded with timely and appropriate action, bringing to light the pride and responsibility that we each share in the protection of our shared public waters. Clean water is not a privilege -- it is a right. And that right must be defended.

Dr. King challenged Americans to act collaboratively to defeat the ills of society. Tires are a blight to James River’s rich history, ecological importance and legacy. This group of individuals made a choice: To rise above the unthinking acts of a few individuals in order to show pride and stewardship for the resource that connects each of us – water.

Pat Calvert, YourUpper James RIVERKEEPER

Volunteers Not Afraid to Get TheirHands Dirty on MLK Day
WSET

Volunteers remove tires fromAmherst County creek
WDBJ7

Envisioning the James…Your Opinion Is Requested

2013-01-25T09:53:00.001-08:00

by Gabe Silver, JRA Education & Outreach Manager

Rivers often form borders between social and political entities, places in-between that have been bickered over, neglected, abused, and sometimes forgotten. But today, people are turning to rivers as places that connect us to our natural and cultural heritage, as places to play, as places that demand cooperation and collaboration if we are to benefit from them today and in the future.

Last year, the James River Association teamed up with the Chesapeake Conservancy and National Geographic to launch the “Envision the James,” a project to define a positive vision for the future of America’s Founding River. Together, we’ve been seeking opinions from all quarters by asking questions about topics such as habitat restoration, land conservation, river access, water quality, recreational trails and tourism. Hundreds of interested citizens, businesses, organizations, and localities have given us their opinions and from this the values and concerns that people have with regards to the James have begun to take shape.

Today, we are asking you, the informed and intelligent reader of this blog, to add your two cents to the mix.

We’ve researched some of the most interesting and effective river-corridor initiatives in four theme areas; Heritage and Geotourism, Recreation and River Access, Wildlife Habitat, and Conservation and Restoration. You can take a look at these examples, and the concepts they illustrate, in this online document.

After getting a feel for these different concepts, please go to the online survey page and take the Envision the James Concept Survey. Make sure to click on the Join the Community tab so we can stay in touch as this project moves from imagination to implementation.

Thank you for helping to define this vision for the future of our river. Working together toward common goals, we will find ways to enjoy and protect the James for our benefit today and make it a healthier James for the generations to come.

Shopping for a Good Cause (JRA!) at 5% Day

2013-01-24T05:55:00.000-08:00

By Judith Warrington, JRA Grantwriter and Membership Coordinator

Thank you to the many JRA volunteers who bagged groceries and manned the JRA information booth at last Sunday’s 5% Day at Ellwood Thompson’s in Richmond’s Carytown. And thanks, too, to Ellwood Thompson’s for its support of a cleaner James and to everyone who came out to shop in support of JRA!

Working behind the scenes at the organization, it’s always good to have a chance to talk with people about why the James River is important in their lives. And it’s especially gratifying to have people who are new to the area ask how they can become involved in protecting the river.

We were especially glad to have Stephen Robertson of Blanchard’s Coffee join us at our information table to offer a sampling of their new James River Roast.

If you missed the coffee tasting, you can always buy it at Ellwood Thompson’s, online from Blanchard’s Coffee or on the JRA website. A portion of each sale benefits JRA. Our staff highly recommends it! In fact, it’s the only coffee we drink.

One of the highlights of the day was a raffle for a canoe that was won by Thomas Mazich of Richmond. Congratulations, Thomas! We at JRA wish you many wonderful days of paddling on the James.

The Mighty Menhaden

2013-01-16T13:08:00.001-08:00

By John Reedy, JRA High School Intern

(Source)

At a glance, it isn’t obvious that this fish is one of the most important animals in the sea. Despite its small structure and ordinary features, the Atlantic menhaden plays an extremely important role in sustaining their ecosystem. This little fish is a filter feeder, and an efficient one at that. An adult menhaden can filter up to four gallons of water in a minute! These fish keep the ocean water clean and clear. The Atlantic menhaden also happens to be an extremely important food source for many other aquatic animals. Therefore, the ecosystem’s stability is directly linked to the menhaden.

(Source)

Unfortunately, the Atlantic menhaden is in trouble. Over the past three decades, the menhaden has been the victim of extreme overfishing. This has caused large declines in population size and has put the stability of an entire ecosystem in jeopardy. The fish population is down to approximately 10% of its original, non-commercially fished size. A reduction so large could have huge detrimental impacts on the Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem. In order to save the population and promote stability in the ecosystem, limitations must be set on menhaden fishing.

The Virginia General Assembly has the power to help the Atlantic menhaden population. It is crucial that our elected officials approve the total allowable catch and a 20% reduction in the harvest cap. Otherwise, the menhaden population will drop to even lower levels, and other species are likely to suffer. In order to prevent this tragedy in the Bay, please contact your legislator and tell them that you support House Bill 1840 today.

Conservation Tips: Scoop that Poop!

2013-01-15T07:26:00.003-08:00

by Amber Ellis, JRA's Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

If you have a dog, then you have a chance every day to take a simple action that will help keep our streams and the James River safe from harmful bacteria. It’s easy…scoop the poop!

Some people think pet waste is natural, so just leave it to fertilize their lawn. Well, it is “natural”, but so is human poop and over the years we have created waste water treatment plants and septic systems to manage it safely.

Over 9,000 miles of our rivers and streams in Virginia are impaired due to bacteria. Pet waste is not the only culprit, but it makes up a big chunk of it and it is something that pet owners can do something about. Other sources of bacteria are agricultural runoff, leaking sanitary and storm sewers, and urban runoff.

Pet waste carries bacteria, such as E. Coli, that is washed into our waterways during rain or snow storms. Even if you cannot see a waterway from your house, that stormwater runoff flows into storm drains where it is then discharged directly into a natural body of water carrying all of that bacteria that it picked up along the way with it. Yuck!

So it’s simple… when you let your dog out to do his or her business, follow these 3 steps. 1) Take a bag with you, 2) use the bag to pick up the waste, and 3) toss it in the trash! This is one of the easiest things that we can all do to help out our waterways.

If you already cleanup after your pet or plan to after reading this, then you have taken the first step in becoming a River Hero Home! For more information about this program visit www.jamesriverhero.org .

To find out if your local stream or river is impaired and why, visit this website: http://deq.virginia.gov/mapper_ext/default.aspx?service=public/2012_Draft_Any_Use

RiverRats Gather to Clean Up Deep Creek at Belmead

2013-01-10T10:28:00.000-08:00

by Amber Ellis, JRA's Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

On the morning of November 15^th, 7 RiverRats and 3 other volunteers gathered out at Belmeadin Powhatan to help the Sisters at Francis Emma clean up Deep Creek, a tributary of the James River. The RiverRats included, Sister Elena Henderson, Sister Jean Ryan, Cris Pond, Bill Pawelski, Mike Schlosser, Rich Marino, and Joey Klingman. Other volunteers included Tarvis Henley from Goochland, Winfred Taylor from Powhatan, and Betty McCraken with the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District.

They put in a lot of back breaking work in the morning and filled a truck and trailer with about 800 pounds of metal trash including old lockers, culverts, and other scrap metal. They also collected 18 large tires that were picked up and recycled by Bridgestone Tires as part of their One Team One Planet program. http://www.oneteamoneplanet.com/americas/spent-tire-program/.

To reward themselves they did what any RiverRat would do and took a canoe/kayak trip along the James River!

10 Great River Dining Locations

2013-01-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

If the cold weather is keeping you in the house and off the river, here are a few dining spots that offer a great view of the river while you eat.

1. Blue Heron - Chickahominy River

2. Smithfield Station – Smithfield

3. Dockside - Jordan Point

4. Dale House Cafe - Historic Jamestowne

5. Charley's Waterfront Cafe - Farmville

6. The Boathouse Restaurant at Rocketts Landing - Richmond

7. Legend Brewery – Richmond

8. Café at Maidens - Maidens

9. Crab Shack - Newport News

10. Kingsmill Marina Bar and Grille - Williamsburg

Do you have any Favorites to add to the list?

Secrets of the James - Dutch Gap Conservation Area

2012-12-28T06:13:00.000-08:00

By Jessica Templeton, James River Ecology School Manager

As a recent Nevada resident, where empty horizons and remote vistas are the norm, I regularly find myself on the hunt for remote unpopulated places to recreate here in Virginia. Recently, I found this sought after outdoor experience on a trail run at Dutch Gap Conservation Area. I shared the trail with a couple of bikes, walkers, and families, but for the most part the run was spent surrounded by trees and water with nothing to listen to but the wind in the leaves above.

The 4.5 mile trail system at Dutch Gap Conservation Area offers an easy but scenic hike by the James River not far from Hopewell, Richmond, or Petersburg city centers. The trail begins behind the Citie of Henricus visitor center and then follows the path of the old James River channel’s oxbow bend. The hike takes you through forested areas with plenty of views of the tidal lagoon where folks like to fish and paddle the calm waters. The trails are largely unpopulated, leaving many opportunities for wildlife observation, including great habitat for bird watching.

The conservation area is adjacent to Dominion’s Chesterfield Power Station; however don’t let this part of the view deter you from visiting this somewhat hidden natural area. The low traffic, wildlife, and scenic forested and river views make it well worth the trip. For the dog lovers out there, the park does also allow pets on the trails when controlled by a leash. Let us know about your visit to Dutch Gap or tell is your favorite place to visit when you are seeking a quiet moment outdoors.

For directions and more information about Dutch Gap, please visit the Chesterfield Parks and Recreation website: http://www.chesterfield.gov/Parks.aspx?id=6442454866.

For more detailed information about the hiking trails visit: http://www.hikingupward.com/ovh/dutchgap/.

Bellemeade, the Rain Barrel Capitol of Richmond?

2012-12-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

Installed barrel

by Amber Ellis, JRA's Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

As part of our continuing efforts in the Bellemeade Walkable Watershed project in the Bellemeade section of Richmond, JRA is teaching homeowners about how to be better stewards of their property for the sake of a healthy James River and by becoming a River Hero Home. In order for a homeowner to become a River Hero Home they need to install some type of Best Management Practice (BMP) on their property, so JRA has been on the lookout for rain barrels for Bellemeade. Fortunately the City of Richmond was able to donate the extra barrels from their Build a Barrel, Save the Bay program to JRA. This program engaged students from various Richmond Public Schools to build and decorate rain barrels.

The first River Hero Home flag with the view of the soon to open Oak Grove Bellemeade Elementary School.

Several weeks ago, Amber Ellis, JRA’s Watershed Restoration Associate, sat down with interested homeowners in Bellemeade to help them fill out their River Hero Home applications. Gay Stokes, with the City of Richmond, assisted them with their application to receive credit on their Stormwater Utility Fee.

RiverRats Cris Pond and Rich Marino installing a rain barrel

RiverRat Mike Schlosser

On November 28^th, JRA RiverRats Rich Marino, Cris Pond, and Mike Schlosser, loaded up their trucks with the colorful barrels and headed out to install them at the selected homes. A total of 7 homes received rain barrels and became River Hero Homes! There is another wave of barrels going in soon and we hope that the momentum keeps growing in the community and that they all become River Hero Homes!

Residents with their new rain barrel

For more information about the Bellemeade Walkable Watershed project visit http://www.gicinc.org/projectbellemeade.htm

For more information about JRA’s River Hero Homes program visit www.jamesriverhero.org

Because Clean Water Makes Great Coffee…

2012-12-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

By Michelle Kokolis, JRA Watershed Restoration Project Manager

and former Starbucks barista

Clean water impacts our lives in many ways. A clean James River provides us a place to swim and fish, to boat and enjoy the scenery, and it is an important source of drinking water. But did you ever stop and think about the relationship between water and coffee? At JRA we have, and that is why we’re thrilled to announce our collaboration with Blanchard’s Coffee Co. and the release of James River Blend!

Anyone can make an OKcup of coffee, but you have to have the right combination of things to make a great cup of coffee. The right grind and ratio are important, but without clean water and high quality beans, your end result will just be OK. At JRA, not only do we work to make sure the James is clean, but we also try to support local businesses as often as we can. If you aren’t familiar with Blanchard’s, they are an independent, family-owned coffee roastery in Richmond. They are passionate about great coffee and their goal is to provide their customers with the best coffee available. Together we have come up with James River Blend; a bold, full-bodied and earthy blend that is the perfect coffee to compliment those cool, crisp mornings on the Mighty James.

The cost of James River Blend is $11 for a 12oz bag. Most importantly, a portion of the proceeds from every purchase will benefit JRA to help support our mission to protect America’s Founding River. James River Blend is currently available through JRA and Blanchard’s www.blanchardscoffee.com. In the Richmond area you can also find the new James River Blend at Farm to Family, Local Roots, Fall Line Farms or online at Kojava.com or Blanchard’s Etsystore. We’ll keep you updated as additional locations are added.

Help support JRA and a local business at the same time…buy your bag of James River Blend today!

Diving in to the Richmond Riverfront Plan

2012-11-30T07:16:00.000-08:00

by Adrienne Kotula, JRA's Policy Specialist

After two years of work by consultants, City staff and numerous stakeholders, Richmond City Council unanimously approved the Riverfront Plan on Monday night. Here at JRA, we feel that this is a pivotal time for Richmond and the James River. We also feel that the Riverfront Plan is the perfect vehicle to capture the momentum from Richmond being named the “Best River Town” by Outside magazine. Now that the plan is approved, it is imperative to begin moving forward with key projects that will bring citizens to the riverfront.

If fully implemented, the Riverfront Plan will greatly increase the opportunities to enjoy the James by protecting its scenic resources, its wildness, improving its water quality, and enhancing the already developed portions of the riverfront. Here are some reasons why:

· Increased Connectivity: The riverfront plan makes public access a priority and contains a series of both visual and physical connections to the riverfront. Providing citizens with more avenues to experience the James is the most effective way to ensure that it will be treasured by those who are in Richmond.

Providing a Variety of Experiences: The James in Richmond offers residents “wild” experiences on Belle Isle, urban experiences on Brown’s Island and even dining experiences at Rockett’s Landing. This plan hopes to enhance those experiences by providing more recreational experiences in places that are already developed, such as Chapel Island.

· Environmental Stewardship: The Riverfront Plan recognizes that the health of the river is integral to ensuring the success of the Plan. The importance of protecting riparian buffers, increasing vegetation and the infiltration of stormwater are all elements of the plan.

Now that the Richmond Riverfront Plan has passed, we can look forward to a brighter future for Richmond and the James. Thanks to all who helped us ensure the passage of the plan, we look forward to working with you on implementation.

Exploring the James Aboard the GoodShip JRA

2012-11-28T12:48:00.001-08:00

by Georgia Busch, JRA Intern

River exploration is a key component of the James River Association’s Education and Outreach program. The new James River Ecology School located on Presquile National Wildlife Refuge is the soul of the program, but its heart is the GoodShip JRA.

JRA’s forty-five foot pontoon boat provides a smooth ride for students, teachers and visitors traveling to the Ecology School and also serves as a floating classroom, providing experiential, hands-on learning opportunities. Here educators can conduct activities such as water quality testing and students can hypothesize and test the health of the James. In doing so, they learn about the types and sources of pollution as well as other factors impacting wildlife and human health.

The students can also connect to nature by operating an otter trawl and collecting a population sample of common fishes. They are always excited to see interesting species like blue catfish, croaker, hogchoker, and white perch. Visitors are prompted to keep an eye on the sky in hopes of spotting egrets, ospreys, cormorants or a bald eagle. The GoodShip JRA is a vital asset in helping people get closer to the James River.

In mid-November, JRA hosted its final classes of the fall season for trips to Presquile. Despite the cold temperatures and rain, students were excited to board the boat and cruise the James. Students from Open High School and Hopewell High School did not let the weather keep them from learning about clean energy, tidal cycles, water quality and common fish species.

It was a special week as we caught and observed nine different species in one attempt, which was thrilling for the students. Some healthy fishing competition was created between the groups and each wanted to catch more than the last. It was exciting to see some students experiencing something for the first time, including taking a boat ride. Usually apprehensive, students who have never been on a boat before always acclimate to the great activities supported by the GoodShip JRA.

Conservation Tips - Rain Barrels for All!

2012-11-20T10:40:00.001-08:00

by Amber Ellis, JRA Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

Have you ever thought about getting a rain barrel, but just weren’t impressed with their look?

Luckily with rain barrels you do not have to follow a “one size fits all” approach. There are small barrels, large barrels, cube barrels, green, black, and even wooden barrels! However, all of them have 4 basic components: 1) a barrel; 2) a top hole to collect water from your downspout; 3) an overflow near the top to release water when it’s full; and 4) a hose bib on the bottom so that you can connect a hose or fill up your bucket with water.

Two of JRA’s River Hero Homes are what I like to call rain barrel fanatics (in a good way!). David Stokes in Lynchburg has six rain barrels that hold up to 900 gallons of water! Three of his barrels are cubes and the other three are the typical black plastic barrel.

The other River Hero Home is Margaret Smigo’s in Richmond. She has a total of six barrels that hold a combined total of 330 gallons of water! All of hers are the typical plastic barrel, but range from black, blue, and brown.

Whatever your style may be, there is a rain barrel out there for you. If you like the classic look of a wooden barrel, JRA is now constructing rain barrels from oak bourbon barrels, courtesy of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond! You can purchase one of JRA’s wooden rain barrels from Hardywood. If you are looking for a unique holiday gift, and a gift that benefits the James River at the same time, this could be it!

Wildlife of the James River - Wild Turkey

2012-11-16T12:59:00.000-08:00

By Georgia Busch, JRA Intern

America has a tradition of distinguishing wildlife that has played important roles throughout history. One such animal was described as essential to early settlers’ survival and was used for peace-making during one very special meal. The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) is a magnificent bird recognized for its traditional use during Thanksgiving, as well as an icon of pristine, wild nature.

The wild turkey species actually consists of five distinct sub-species. The Eastern wild turkey subspecies makes its home here in Virginia, including habitat along the James River. In fact, one particular location on the James, Presquile National Wildlife Refuge, was once called “Turkey Island” for its abundant population of Eastern wild turkeys.

Males, known as gobblers or toms, can be as tall as four feet and weigh twenty pounds. At the base of the neck protrudes a flap of red or pink skin, known as wattles. Other gender characteristics include the prominent beards and spurs, used to display dominance. Females, known as hens, lack these features, but can grow just as tall, but weigh slightly less, between eight and twelve pounds. Wild turkey flocks are organized by pecking order and dominance is determined by fighting behavior.

Have you ever drawn a turkey by tracing your hand? Well that fantastic art activity depicts wild turkey breeding behavior! Breeding is elicited during spring because of extended daylight. Prior to breeding, gobbling, strutting and displays of that iconic tail feather pattern are all performed by toms during courtship. Hens lay clutches of ten to twelve eggs and incubate for about twenty-eight days. Poults, or juvenile wild turkeys, are bonded to their mother while hatching by listening to her soft clucking. Before leaving the nest, poults learn their mother’s alarm and communication clucks that are key to their survival.

However, poult survival is not quite so easy. Predators including snakes, skunks, opossums, raccoons, hawks, owls and foxes are threats. In addition, a growing loss of quality habitat became a problem in the 1900s. After the invention of the rocket net, wild turkey conservation groups have been able to safely capture and relocate threatened wild turkeys to more stable habitat. Wild turkey conservation efforts have helped increase population numbers from 30,000 in the early 1900s to over 7 million in North America today.

Here are more fast facts about wild turkeys:

· A wild turkey is covered in 5000 to 6000 feathers

· Wild turkeys can run at speeds of 25 mph and fly at 55 mph

· Poults eat insects, berries and seeds

· Adults eat acorns, berries, insects and even small reptiles

Gobble your way into the woods this season and listen for some turkey calls. To hear more, visit:

http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/calling_tips.html