Rivanna Conservation Alliance

FrogWatch Training
2024-01-20 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Rivanna Conservation Alliance, 1150 River Road, Suite One, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
**This training is currently full. If you are interested in future trainings, please fill out the waitlist with your name and email address here: FrogWatch Training Waitlist
Join us on Saturday, January 20th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the RCA office to become a trained FrogWatch USA volunteer.
FrogWatch USA is a nationwide citizen science program that helps monitor wetland health and amphibian population status by teaching communities to report on the calls of local frogs and toads. This program is headed by the Akron Zoo and has over 140 chapters across the country.
This training will teach you the calls of our local frogs and toads, and will prepare you to monitor your own FrogWatch site. Participants must pass a quiz on monitoring procedures as well as a frog call test to complete the training.
While FrogWatch can be a great family activity, the training is designed for interested adults and high school age individuals. Space is limited and registration is required.

Trash Cleanup at Scottsville Elementary School
2024-02-03 11:00 - 13:00 | Scottsville Elementary School, 7868 Scottsville Rd, Scottsville, VA, 24590
Join RCA for a day of stewardship at Scottsville Elementary School. We will be working along Miller Creek, which feeds into the Totier Creek Reservoir (the drinking water supply for Scottsville).
Volunteers of all ages are invited to help, but anyone under 18 will need adult supervision. There are some large pieces of trash at the site, like TVs and refrigerators, so volunteers able to help with heavy lifting are especially encouraged to sign up! RCA will provide all cleanup materials needed for the day.

Volunteer Open House
2024-02-15 16:00 - 19:00 | Rivanna Conservation Alliance, 1150 River Road, Suite One, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
Join the Rivanna Conservation Alliance for a volunteer open house on Thursday, February 15th. Come by the RCA office anytime between 4 and 7 PM to learn about our programs and the many ways you can get involved. We’ll have staff on hand to share information about our monitoring, restoration, education, and stewardship activities.
New and current volunteers are welcome! Light refreshments will be provided. RSVPs are appreciated at https://rcavolunteeropenhouse.eventbrite.com/

FrogWatch Training (FULL)
2024-02-20 17:30 - 19:30 | Rivanna Conservation Alliance, 1150 River Road, Suite One, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
**THIS TRAINING IS FULL**
Join us to become a trained FrogWatch USA volunteer! FrogWatch USA is a nationwide citizen science program that helps monitor wetland health and amphibian population status by teaching communities to report on the calls of local frogs and toads. This program is headed by the Akron Zoo and has over 140 chapters across the country.
This training will teach you the calls of our local frogs and toads, and will prepare you to monitor your own FrogWatch site. Participants must pass a quiz on monitoring procedures as well as a frog call test to complete the training.
While FrogWatch can be a great family activity, the training is designed for interested adults and high school age individuals. Space is limited and registration is required.
https://htru.io/SGUF

Native Plant Sign Installation Workday
2024-02-24 12:00 - 13:30 | Burley Middle School, 901 Rose Hill Dr, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
Help RCA install signs at Burley Middle School that will showcase the work being done by students! Since 2019, Burley students have planted trees, a rain garden and a meadow on their school’s campus. In 2023, Burley 6th graders researched 18 of the native plant species and wrote up descriptions that are on RCA’s website. This workday is to install QR code signs for these species so students and visitors can learn about these important plants.
Volunteers should wear closed toed shoes, long pants, and anything they don’t mind getting dirty. Gloves and all tools necessary will be provided.
Sign up here: https://htru.io/SHb4

Live Staking Workday
2024-03-09 10:00 - 14:00 | Key West Swim and Tennis Club, 393 Key W Drive, Charlottesville, VA, 22911
Live staking is a riverbank stabilization technique that uses dormant tree and shrub cuttings to help reduce sediment load in streams and rivers. This year, RCA needs your help to plant 800 of these shrubs along the Rivanna River!
We will access the riverbank locations by canoe and wade along muddy banks. Volunteers should be comfortable navigating the river by boat, as well as entering and exiting the canoe in shallow water. Higher water levels and lower water temperatures are possible during this event.

This event is only recommended for paddlers who are comfortable navigating the riverbanks by boat and on foot.
Please bring your own chest waders if you have them! RCA has a limited supply.
It is recommended that you layer up, especially the lower extremities. If possible, avoid wearing cotton.
RCA will provide canoes, PFDs, gloves (not insulated), waders (limited supply) and staking equipment.

We plan to paddle from Key West Swim and Tennis Club to Darden Towe Park (~2 miles). Participants should plan to shuttle in their own cars or can coordinate with the group leader, Devon (info@rivannariver.org) on a first come, first served basis.
SIGN UP IS REQUIRED HERE: https://htru.io/SHpo

Tree Planting Workday in Charlottesville
2024-03-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Free Bridge, Charlottesville, VA
Join us to help protect clean water! RCA has partnered with the City of Charlottesville to reforest two acres of riverfront land with native hardwood trees and shrubs. We will be working along a very popular stretch of the Rivanna Trail to plant species that will filter pollutants, provide habitat, and prevent erosion.
All training will be provided on site, and RCA will provide all tools necessary for planting. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and anything they are comfortable getting dirty. Long pants are recommended. Please also plan to bring any water and snacks you need for the day.
SIGN UP IS REQUIRED HERE: https://htru.io/SHpn

Tree Planting Workday in Keswick
2024-04-10 12:00 - 15:00 | VA
Join us to help protect clean water! We will be planting native trees and shrubs along Mechunk Creek in Keswick. These species will filter pollutants, provide habitat, and prevent erosion.
All training will be provided on site, and RCA will provide all tools necessary for planting. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and anything they are comfortable getting dirty. Long pants are recommended. Please also plan to bring any water and snacks you need for the day.
Register here: https://htru.io/SHRJ

Tree Planting Workday in Scottsville
2024-04-13 10:00 - 13:00 | Scottsville Elementary School, 7868 Scottsville Rd, Scottsville, VA, 24590
Join us to help protect clean water! RCA needs your help to plant over an acre of native hardwood trees and shrubs along Miller Creek at Scottsville Elementary. This stream flows into Totier Creek, which provides the drinking water for Scottsville.
All training will be provided on site, and RCA will provide all tools necessary for planting. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and anything they are comfortable getting dirty. Long pants are recommended. Please also plan to bring any water and snacks you need for the day.
SIGN UP IS REQUIRED HERE: https://htru.io/SHpm

Earth Day Invasive Removal
2024-04-20 10:00 - 14:00 | 0 E High St, 0 E High St, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA, The Nature Conservancy, and the City of Charlottesville for a day of stewardship along the Rivanna River. We will be working to remove invasive vines and plants that are threatening native plant communities.
All necessary training will be provided on site and workday organizers will be providing tools and gloves. Volunteers should bring a water bottle, wear closed-toed shoes and wear clothes that can get dirty. Long pants and sleeves are recommended.
Register here: https://htru.io/SHUX

Stream Cleanup with Orvis
2024-04-21 16:00 - 18:00 | VA
Join RCA and Orvis and show some love to our urban streams this Earth Day! We will be picking up trash along Schenks Branch, which parallels McIntire Road and drains to Meadow Creek.
RCA will provide all materials needed for the cleanup including gloves, trash bags and trash pickers. There will also be a limited number of waders available for volunteers to use. Participants should plan to bring a reusable water bottle and wear clothes that can get dirty. Please bring waders or waterproof shoes if you have them.
Register here: https://htru.io/SHSA

Frog & Toad Night
2024-04-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
Join RCA for an evening of frog, toad, and other pond critter identification at the Scheier Natural Area ponds in Fluvanna County.
No flip flops, please! Old sneakers are preferable. A headlamp or flashlight, a camera, and curiosity are necessary. RCA will provide nets and identification materials. End the evening with s’mores around the campfire. This is a free event for all ages!
Sorry, no dogs are allowed at Scheier!

Beer Release at Starr Hill
2024-05-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Starr Hill Brewery, 946 Grady Ave Suite 101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
Starr Hill Brewery is bringing back the perfect summertime beer, just in time for Rivanna RiverFest… the Rivanna River Grapefruit Session IPA!

Join RCA at Starr Hill Brewery in the Dairy Market on Thursday, May 16th, from 5:30-7:30 PM to celebrate the release of this limited summer beer and learn more about RCA’s work.

When you purchase a Rivanna River beer, you’ll be entered into a raffle for some great prizes from Starr Hill! We’ll also be jamming out to live music by Max Mandu from 6-8 PM. Starr Hill is donating $1 of every pint of Rivanna River beer back to RCA to benefit our river conservation programs.

Grab dinner at the Dairy Market, then swing by for a pint or get a 4-pack to go. You can also buy a Rivanna River Grapefruit Session IPA at RiverFest this Saturday, May 19th from 2-9 PM!

Rivanna RiverFest
2024-05-18 14:00 - 21:00 | Rivanna River Company, Rivanna River Company, Charlottesville, 22902, United States
Join us for Rivanna RiverFest on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 2-9PM at the Rivanna River Company! From 2-5PM, enjoy family-friendly activities, fun on the river, talks, demonstrations, and more. At 5PM, we’ll transition into a celebration with a live performance by Hometown Choir. Then dance the night away with a concert by We Are Star Children starting at 6PM. Check out the event website for more information!

Orvis Charlottesville Spring Fest
2024-05-31 15:00 - 19:00 | Orvis Charlottesville, 2020 Bond St, Suite 110, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
Join RCA at Orvis Charlottesville’s Spring Fest on Friday, May 31st from 3-7 PM. There will be raffles to support RCA, Orvis’s GiveBack Days partner, speakers, mead tastings, and more!

Virginia Black Bear Festival
2024-06-01 10:00 - 16:00 | VA
The Virginia Black Bear Festival is a community event celebrating nature and mountain outdoors, held in downtown Stanardsville, VA. The festival includes live entertainment, fun interactive activities, educational presentations, delicious food, and more. RCA will be in attendance with an info/activity table!

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit Show
2024-06-30 17:30 - 22:00 | Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
RCA will be running the draft beer and cider truck at the Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit show. All tips collected will benefit RCA’s programs. Come by and say hi!

Let's Talk About Forest Health
2024-08-14 17:00 - 20:00 | Rivanna River Company, Rivanna River Company, Charlottesville, 22902, United States
You are invited to a pop-up information event at the Rivanna River Company on Wednesday, August 14th from 5-8 PM. Partners of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project will be sharing project goals, progress we’ve made so far, and information about how you can stay connected.
Don’t miss the chance to learn more about this community effort and celebrate the Rivanna River Company’s final Little Saturday of 2024. Drinks and hot dogs will be available for purchase on site.

Fridays After Five: Skip Castro Band
2024-08-30 17:00 - 20:30 | Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Help RCA celebrate the Fridays After Five Concert Series by joining us in running the draft beer truck during the show. We will be slinging beers while listening to live music by Skip Castro Band and raising funds for RCA!
Volunteers must be 21 or older. All volunteers will receive a free ticket for a non-alcoholic drink during the show and a free beer at the end of the shift (if wanted). Volunteers must sign up at https://htru.io/SJoH

Introductory Biological (Benthic) Training
2024-09-12 10:00 - 13:00 | VA
SIGN UP REQUIRED at https://htru.io/SJAf
This training session will cover the fundamentals of in-stream biological sampling – catching and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates for the purpose of evaluating water quality and stream health. This session includes both a classroom and a hands-on field component.
Attending an Introductory Biological (Benthic) Training is required for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer benthic monitor with RCA. No previous experience is necessary. Training sessions are free to RCA volunteers.

Advanced Biological (Benthic) Training
2024-09-14 10:30 - 12:30 | VA
SIGN UP REQUIRED AT https://htru.io/SJAd
This training is designed for current benthic monitors who collect benthic field samples and/or participate in lab days. The aim of this workshop is to develop identification skills, refine family-level characteristics, and cover any topics monitors may need additional help with. Advanced training is required to become a certified benthic monitor and adopt benthic sites.

Introductory Biological (Benthic) Training
2024-09-15 10:00 - 13:00 | VA
SIGN UP REQUIRED AT https://htru.io/SJAe
This training session will cover the fundamentals of in-stream biological sampling – catching and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates for the purpose of evaluating water quality and stream health. This session includes both a classroom and a hands-on field component.
Attending an Introductory Biological (Benthic) Training is required for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer benthic monitor with RCA. No previous experience is necessary. Training sessions are free to RCA volunteers.

5th Annual Rivanna River Round-Up
2024-09-21 | VA
Join RCA for its biggest cleanup event of the year, the Rivanna River Round-Up! This year’s fifth annual cleanup will be held on and around Saturday, September 21st. Take a stand for clean water by volunteering for a variety of cleanup opportunities in the Rivanna watershed. Sign up at https://evergreen.humanitru.com/web/campaigns/rivanna-conservation-alliance~rivanna-river-round-up?tab_1065=

Loop de'Ville Drink Tent
2024-09-28 11:00 - 21:30 | Rivanna River Company, Rivanna River Company, Charlottesville, 22902, United States
Help RCA serve drinks at the Loop de’Ville after-party on Saturday, September 28th! The proceeds from drink sales will benefit RCA and the Rivanna Trails Foundation. There are multiple shifts available from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM for serving drinks, selling drink tickets, and checking IDs. Drink serving volunteers must be 18 or older. Get a free Loop de’Ville T-shirt for volunteering!

Buford 7th Grade Watershed Field Trips (Day 1)
2024-10-08 09:15 - 13:15 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
Join us at Camp Albemarle for Buford’s 7th grade watershed exploration field trips! We will be running stream macroinvertebrate sampling, a forest walk, and various ecology-related games with each group. You do not need to have any experience, and we will provide an orientation for new volunteers. Thank you so much for your help!
Sign up here: https://htru.io/SJVB

Buford 7th Grade Watershed Field Trip (Day 2)
2024-10-09 09:15 - 13:15 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
Join us at Camp Albemarle for Buford’s 7th grade watershed exploration field trips! We will be running stream macroinvertebrate sampling, a forest walk, and various ecology-related games with each group. You do not need to have any experience, and we will provide an orientation for new volunteers. Thank you so much for your help!
Sign up at: https://htru.io/SJVA

Buford 7th Grade Watershed Field Trip (Day 3)
2024-10-10 09:15 - 13:15 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
Join us at Camp Albemarle for Buford’s 7th grade watershed exploration field trips! We will be running stream macroinvertebrate sampling, a forest walk, and various ecology-related games with each group. You do not need to have any experience, and we will provide an orientation for new volunteers. Thank you so much for your help!
Sign up here: https://htru.io/SJVz

Resilience Project Kickoff Event
2024-11-02 13:00 - 16:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and partners for a kickoff event of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project in Riverview Park. Sign up to help cut invasive vines or swing by between 1 and 4 PM to learn about the project! If you’re interested in volunteering, continue reading.
There will be two volunteer shifts: 1:00-2:30 PM and 2:30-4:00 PM. Volunteers will be cutting invasive vines that are threatening native tree canopy in a high priority forest area.
**Registration is required to volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/2vsm9mmt**
If you have any questions, contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bspleasant@rivannariver.org

Darden Towe Park Invasive Vine Workday
2024-11-16 13:00 - 16:00 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and partners for a volunteer workday at Darden Towe Park, as part of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project. Sign up to help cut invasive vines or swing by between 1 and 4 PM to learn about the project!
Volunteers will be cutting invasive vines that are threatening native tree canopy in a high priority forest area. Volunteers will use RCA-provided loppers and pruners. RCA will provide gloves, but feel free to bring your own. Volunteers must wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Please bring a water bottle. Please register here to receive important email instructions and updates.
If you have any questions, contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bspleasant@rivannariver.org

Scottsville Elementary Buffer Planting
2024-12-07 12:00 - 14:00 | Scottsville Elementary School, 7868 Scottsville Rd, Scottsville, VA, 24590
Registration is required here: https://htru.io/SKT8
Join RCA in planting trees to restore riparian buffers along the Rivanna River. Vegetated stream banks filter pollutants, provide habitat, and prevent erosion.
During this workday, we will work to plant bare-root saplings along the river corridor. RCA will provide all needed tools and instruction. Please bring water and dress for the weather. Participants should be comfortable being outside for several hours.
This event is subject to change due to tree availability or weather.
If you have any questions, or sign-ups are closed, please contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bspleasant@rivannariver.org
