Rivanna Conservation Alliance

Rivanna Tree Planting and Clean-up - Volunteer Event!
2019-04-27 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | VA
Join us to plant trees in a buffer along the Rivanna River in conjunction with our postponed Earth Day clean-up! Spots are limited – please e-mail ex**@**********er.org to register!

City Nature Challenge
2019-04-26 17:00 - 2019-04-29 13:00 | VA
Which city on Earth has the most nature and the most engaged residents? The City Nature Challenge aims to find out!
The City Nature Challenge encourages people to discover and document the biodiversity of our urban spaces. Join thousands of people from around the globe to get outside and explore your world.
The Nature Conservancy is offering several guided events during the challenge weekend. These events are free and open to the public.
Friday, April 26, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m
Launch Party hosted by the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center
Come learn about the City Nature Challenge and how to use iNaturalist.
Saturday, April 27, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Birding at Ivy Creek Natural Area led by Jim Nix
RSVP to Ma**************@*nc.org
Saturday, April 27, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Nature Hike on Crozet Trail led by Sidney Huffman
RSVP to Ma**************@*nc.org
Saturday, April 27, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Explore Saunders Monticello Trail, hosted by Monticello Staff
Join Monticello staff for family-friendly activities to celebrate Arbor Day and the City Nature Challenge.
Email tr***@********lo.org for details
Saturday, April 27, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Benthic Monitoring at Greenbrier Park with Rivanna Conservation Alliance
Email ex**@**********er.org for details or to RSVP
Sunday, April 28, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Nature Hike at Riverview Park led by Jane Fisher
RSVP to Ma**************@*nc.org
Sunday, April 28, 1:00-6:00 p.m.
Paddle and Clean-Up hosted by Rivanna Conservation Alliance
Email ex**@**********er.org for details
Sunday, April 28, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
ID Party at Three Notch’d Brewery
All experience levels and ages are welcome to take part in identifying our observations. Join The Nature Conservancy and partners for bioblitz fun!
You don’t have to join an organized outing to get involved in the City Nature Challenge. Anyone can take part! It’s easy to participate using the iNaturalist app (free on the app store). Just take a picture of a plant or animal and upload it to the app. Visit www.citynaturechallenge.org to see a list of participating cities.
The City Nature Challenge is organized by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Earth Day River Cleanup
2019-04-20 09:00 - 12:00 | VA
Help RCA clean local waterways! Join other volunteers to help remove garbage and debris from the Rivanna River Trail in Charlottesville.
To sign up, please e-mail RCA at ex**@**********er.org. We will send a confirmation e-mail with additional details.
Hope to see you there!

Community Meeting to Present a Stream Health Study of the North Fork Rivanna River
2019-04-17 18:00 - 19:00 | PVCC Eugene Giuseppe Center, 222 Main Street, Stanardsville, VA, United States
Calling all North Fork Rivanna River Watershed Residents:
The North Fork Rivanna River watershed includes all of the land area that drains to the river and its tributaries when it rains. Monitoring of aquatic insects that live on the stream bottom has shown that something is bugging the bugs in the North Fork Rivanna River and several of its tributaries! These aquatic insects act as a barometer of stream health, warning us of potential pollutants that may be entering our waterways. Results of a stream health study initiated by The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) in October of 2018 indicate that too much soil is making its way into these streams when it rains, smothering habitat for aquatic life. Excess phosphorous is also negatively affecting the bugs in Blue and Stanardsville Runs. The stream health study completed by VDEQ and partners identifies sources of these pollutants in the watersheds along with reductions needed to restore aquatic life in the streams.
If you are interested in learning more about the issues facing the North Fork Rivanna River and what local landowners can do to help, please join us!
For more information, contact:
Nesha McRae, VDEQ
(540) 574-7850
ne*********@**********ia.gov
Event Flier

Frog, Toad, and Night Critters Workshop
2019-04-12 19:30 - 22:00 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
The Rivanna Conservation Alliance, the Rivanna Master Naturalists & Friends of Scheier Invite You to Join the Frog, Toad, and Night Critters Workshop.
Where: Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd., Palmyra
When: Friday, April 12, 2019 from 7:30pm – 10:00pm
What: Participants will identify/listen to the sounds of the night – frogs, toads, and other critters that live in the woods. Bring your flashlight.
Event includes s’mores & hot chocolate around the campfire.
The Rivanna Conservation Alliance (RCA), the Friends of Scheier, and the Rivanna Master Naturalists co-host this educational workshop and bonfire at the Scheier Natural Area.
This is a free event, though donations to the Scheier Education Center
will be gratefully accepted.

Scheier_Toads_Frogs_Flyer 2019

Paddling Film Festival
2019-04-09 18:00 - 22:30 | Random Row Brewing Company, 608 Preston Ave A, Charlottesville, VA, 22903
Our friends are bringing the Paddling Film Festival to Charlottesville!
Presented by the Rivanna River Company and hosted at Random Row Brewing Co on Tuesday, April 9th, 2019. Doors will open at 6pm and the films will begin at 7:30pm. Come early for beer, food and camaraderie!
Buy tickets in advance!
The 14th Annual Paddling Film Festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year – whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP, action and lifestyle – in more than 120 cities and towns across Canada, United States and around the world. Learn more at www.paddlingfilmfestival.com.
Proceeds will benefit the Rivanna Conservation Alliance. This event is co-sponsored by Rivanna River Company , High Tor Gear Exchange, Great Outdoor Provision Co., Random Row Brewing Co.

Benthic Monitoring: Introductory Training Workshop
2019-03-09 10:00 - 13:00 | VA
This training will cover the fundamentals of stream biological sampling – catching and identifying aquatic invertebrates for the purpose of evaluating water quality and stream health. No previous experience is needed.
Please contact

Benthic Monitoring: Introductory Training Workshop
2019-03-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2019-03-06 15:00 - 18:00 | RCA Office, 1150 River Rd, Suite 1, Charlottesville, VA, 22901-4110, United States

Benthic Monitoring: Advanced Training Workshop
2019-03-04 16:00 - 17:30, 2019-03-02 13:30 - 15:00 | RCA Office, 1150 River Rd, Suite 1, Charlottesville, VA, 22901-4110, United States
Advanced benthic monitor training is designed for current benthic volunteers who participate in real field samples and/or do regular lab identification. The aim is to further those ID skills, refine some family characteristics, and cover any topics volunteers need additional help with.
Please contact

River Clean-up
2019-03-02 09:00 - 12:00 | VA
Come help RCA clean local waterways! Join other volunteers to help remove garbage and debris from a creek in Charlottesville.
To sign up, please e-mail RCA at ex**@**********er.org. We will send a confirmation e-mail with additional details.
Hope to see you there!

Volunteer Event: Vine Cutting along the Rivanna River
2019-02-09 08:45 - 12:00 | RCA Office, 1150 River Rd, Suite 1, Charlottesville, VA, 22901-4110, United States
Help RCA and the City of Charlottesville clear invasive vines that damage native vegetation and block views of the Rivanna River.
Meet at the RCA office (1150 River Road) at 8:45 am and we will walk to the Rivanna River Trail at 9:00 am. Wear work clothes and close-toed shoes.
RSVP to: ex**@**********er.org
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Watch Party for RCA's Episode of Charlottesville Inside Out
2019-02-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave, Ste 101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903
RCA is being featured on an episode of Charlottesville Inside Out on our local PBS station, WHTJ!

Please join us at a watch party Thursday, February 7th at Kardinal Hall (722 Preston Ave, Charlottesville). RCA has reserved a separate room that will open at 7:30, and the show will air at 8:30. Come early to get dinner and/or drinks, settle in, and enjoy the show with fellow friends of the river. Click here to RSVP . We look forward to seeing you there!

Bacteria Monitoring: Level III Training
2019-01-26 11:30 - 12:30 | RCA Office, 1150 River Rd, Suite 1, Charlottesville, VA, 22901-4110, United States
This training is for new volunteers interested in the Bacteria Monitoring Program. No previous experience is needed.
Please contact

Cleanup at Meadow Creek with TNC
2019-01-21 13:00 - 15:00 | VA
Join The Nature Conservancy to clean up your watershed!
TNC is looking for 30 volunteers to help remove plastic bottles, cans and other debris from a stretch of Meadow Creek in Charlottesville, preventing the trash from reaching the nation’s largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay.
Meadow Creek is located near the intersection of Hydraulic Road and 250. Trash bags will be provided.
To sign up contact Maggie Hankerd, AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, via email at ma**************@*nc.org. A confirmation email will be sent to volunteers with additional details.

CLEANUP AT SCHENKS BRANCH
2018-11-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Fire and Rescue Station, 828 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902
YES THE CLEANUP IS ON!!! Schenks Branch is in need of a Deep Clean, especially after the rain and floods of this past season. Trash has collected in the stream bed and needs to be removed. Can you helps us clean up along the John Warner Parkway at Rt. 250?
We’ll be meeting at the Fire & Rescue Squad on McIntire Road where there is parking.
828 McIntire Rd, Charlottesville.
RCA will provide gloves, trash bags, trash removal, water and snacks. Please wear closed toed shoes/boots, long pants and a long sleeve shirt. You may also want to wear a cap or hat. For more information call 434-97-RIVER.

Primitive & Survival Skills Workshop 101
2018-11-03 09:00 - 16:00 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
You’re caught in an urban or natural disaster – could you survive till help arrives? The Primitive & Survival Skills Workshop 101 will cover the basic skill sets needed to keep you alive –
– Building a shelter without tools,
– Finding and purifying water,
– Making cordage – rope,
– Making a fire, without a lighter or matches, and
– Wilderness food gathering.
This workshop is for adults and young people over 14 (with a parent or guardian). Cost $75
Steve Pullinger is an expert in his field and dedicated volunteer at the RCA’s Scheier Natural Area in Fluvanna County. For more information call Steve at 434 249 0419

FLOWtilla: The Spontaneous Decorated Boat Parade & Competition
2018-09-29 13:30 - 15:30 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
FLOWtilla: The Spontaneous Decorated Boat Parade & Competition.
Saturday, September 29th
A $500 award will be given to the most creative design!
As a fun feature of FLOW, Chroma Projects and The Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center (LCEC) invite everyone to decorate a floating device and join in the parade. It’s a delight-filled thing to do with your kids!
Sign up for the LCEC’s Boat Design Workshop from 12-3 Saturday, September 22nd. Pay the $7 LCEC entrance fee, bring your boat or tube and use their cardboard, duct tape, paint and guidance!
FLOWtilla launches at 1:30 on the 29th from Darden Towe Park’s boat ramp.
FLOWtilla is the boat parade feature of FLOW: The Rivanna River Arts Festival and is held in partnership with The Rivanna Conservation Alliance and Albemarle County.
FLOW itself begins at 11:00 with Musical and Art Performances until 3:00, Art Installations close by 5:00.
Questions? Contact www.chromaprojects.com

Pond Ecology Workshop
2018-09-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
RESCHEDULED FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2018
Come join Master Naturalist and RCA’s StreamWatch Monitor Ida Swenson for a “deep dive” into the living things in the ponds at RCA’s Scheier Natural Area, located at 917 Long Acre Road, Palmyra, VA 22963
Ida will furnish most of the equipment but you will want to bring your own boots or old sneakers, a hat, insect repellent and water.
Please call Ida for more information. 434-996-8405 mobile or id********@***il.com

FLOW: The Rivanna River Arts Festival
2018-09-29 11:00 - 16:00 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Join us for FLOW: The Rivanna River Arts Festival on Saturday, September, 29th, along the Rivanna Trail! The event starts at 11:00 AM at Darden Towe’s Boat Ramp.
Chroma Projects is collaborating with The Rivanna Conservation Alliance to bring you this one day celebration of our river. The Front Porch Musicians, McGuffey Art Center, the Rivanna River Company, and the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center are also our partners.
FLOW 2018 will feature many of last year’s visual and performing artists interpreting the river, along with a number of new ones. Visitors to the event encounter their diverse gifts of creativity, tucked into natural wooded grottoes and overlooks along the river trail, expressing the history, ecology and spiritual traditions of the river.
Environmental organizations will have informational tables as well, so that visitors may learn about the good work that is being done.
This year we are pleased to announce that Alex Nyerges, Director of the VMFA and his wife, Katherine are our jurors for the River Bank Plein Aire Painting Event, the Site Specific Environmental Sculpture, and the FLOWtilla Spontaneous Art Boat Parade.

Rivanna River Renaissance Conference
2018-09-28 10:00 - 15:00 | Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Join us for the 2018 Rivanna River Renaissance Conference

Friday, September 28, 2018
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Albemarle County Office Building – 401 McIntire Rd.

To see Program & Register, visit www.tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310
Learn about River redevelopment projects in Roanoke VA and Greenville SC. Hear an update on Phase 1 of the Rivanna River Corridor Plan. Participate, in a workshop to provide input for Phase 2.
Who Should Attend: Community leaders, local government officials, developers, builders, financial investors, conservation and environmental organization personnel, members, and the public-at-large.
Friday, September 28:

10:30 am Welcome and Introductions- Ann Mallek Chair, Rivanna River Basin Commission- Albemarle County

Panel discussion: River redevelopment from Greenville and Roanoke

Jim Bourey. Greenville South Carolina’s plan for cooperation for Reedy River Redevelopment

Jim Bourey is Director of Management Services for the architectural & engineering firm McGill Associates. Jim was City Manager of Greenville, S.C. during much of the Reedy River redevelopment planning and implementation.

Bern Ewert. Former City Manager, Roanoke, VA

Moderator: Chip Boyles, Executive Director at the TJPDC

11:30 am Introduction to the Rivanna River Corridor Plan – Chip Boyles and Nick Morrison, Community Planner, TJPDC

Special announcement for the River. Ann Mallek, Ned Gallaway, Bob Crickenberger

Lunch Break and networking.

Bring your own lunch or visit the food truck.

1-3 pm. Rivanna River Corridor planning Work-session and interactive engagement session

County Office Building, second floor

Saturday, September 29:

Guided South Fork Rivanna Paddling Trip

A Campaign Kick-Off Float supporting creation of the new South Fork River Access Guided by members of the Rivanna River Paddlers; Outfitting by Rivanna River Company

9:30 am – 2:00pm,
6 miles, Class I-II rapids
$39 per person, 20 Spaces Only.
Trip Description Here.
Register https://tinyurl.com/ydaogta5
Trip meets at 9:15 @ RRC Shop (1518 E. High St)

Stormwater Landscapes: Using Native Plant Communities for Design
2018-09-12 09:00 - 16:30 | Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA, United States
This class covers site assessment, research, and creation of species lists and installation plans for assemblages of plants. Participants will understand how design choices can support greater habitat value for wildlife and biodiversity through the use of appropriately selected native plants.
Instructor: David Hirschman
$85 early/$100 after June 25 includes lunch
6.5 CBLP CEUs
https://cblpro.org/produc t/central- virginia-cblp-advanced-training-workshops/
questions: be**@****ro.org
Stormwater Landscapes Flyer

Summer Woods Hike
2018-06-10 16:00 - 18:00 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
Summer is a wonderful time to explore the woods, it flora, fauna and the peace that comes with experiencing nature. So come join us at RCA’s Scheier Natural Area in Fluvanna County for the Summer Woods Hike.
When: June 10, 2018
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: Scheier Natural Area
Address: 917 Long Acre Road, Palmyra, VA 22963
Contact:
email: da*********@***il.com
phone: 804-310-6464

POSTPONED TILL JUNE 9 POND ECOLOGY WORKSHOP
2018-06-09 09:00 - 11:00 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
POSTPONED TILL JUNE 9 POND STUDY WORKSHOP
Due to the heavy rain, the workshop scheduled for Scheier Natural Area this Saturday is being postponed to Saturday, June 9, from 9:00 am – 11:00am. (NOTE TIME CHANGE from original workshop).
For more information, call Ida Swenson at 434-589-2777, or to register go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Scheierponds. Boots and old clothes recommended!
POND STUDY WORKSHOP AT SCHEIER NATURAL AREA
Wonder what is under the surface of a pond? Join Ida Swenson at the Scheier Natural Area at 917 Longacre Road, Palmyra, Saturday, June 9 from 9 AM to 11:30. Bring your own boots or old sneakers, water and a hat. We will provide buckets, nets, and microscopes! For more information, call Ida Swenson at 434-589-2777, or to register go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Scheierponds. Sponsored by the Rivanna Conservation Alliance.
Pond ecology tells us a lot about the health of aquatic life, the environment and water quality. And, tadpoles are great fun to catch, examine and release. Come join us for a workshop at the Scheier Natural Area where there are 8 different ponds to explore:
Our Workshop Leader is RCA Member, Master Naturalist and educator Ida Swenson.
While this is a FREE event, we do ask that you register so our workshop leaders can plan and organize the event to accommodate all workshop participants.

POND ECOLOGY WORKSHOP
2018-06-02 14:00 - 16:30 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
Pond ecology tells us a lot about the health of aquatic life, the environment and water quality. And, tadpoles are great fun to catch, examine and release. Come join us for a workshop at the Scheier Natural Area where there are 8 different ponds to explore:
Our Workshop Leader is RCA Member, Master Naturalist and educator Ida Swenson.
While this is a FREE event, we do ask that you register so our workshop leaders can plan and organize the event to accommodate all workshop participants. Please register at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Scheierponds

Rivanna River Fishing Tournament
2018-05-19 08:00 - 10:00 | Free Bridge, Charlottesville, VA
May 19, 2018 – Sat 8 AM ·
Location: Rivanna River Company · Free Bridge – Rt. 250 at High St. Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Rivanna River Fishing Tournament
1st Annual Rivanna River Fishing Tournament(Paddle-Powered, Catch-Photo-Release, Supports Conservation). Location: 1538 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 – Call for more details 434 218-2052
Rivanna Conservation Alliance is a partner in this event.

Rivanna River Regatta
2018-05-12 08:00 - 11:30 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Rivanna River Race Information
All information about the May 12, 2018 Rivanna Canoe & Kayak Race has moved over to CvillePaddlers.com this year.
Here is a link directly to the information page where you may register online and also print out the ACA Waiver and bring it with you on race day. https://www.cvillepaddlers.com/2018race.html

S&P Global Rivanna Cleanup
2018-04-30 10:00 - 13:00 | VA
S&P Global conducted an amazing cleanup at the new RCA Office Location at 1150 River Road – along the Rivanna River. Twenty Five S&P employees devoted more than 100 hours to this cleanup that took more than 2 truck loads to dispatch.

Rivanna River Sojourn
2018-04-29 15:30 - 20:00 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Come join the Rivanna Conservation Alliance and its River Stewards for a late afternoon paddle on the beautiful Rivanna River as you support the work RCA does to keep the river and the watershed health. We will be cleaning the river and collecting trash along the paddle.
The biennial Rivanna River will take place on Sunday April 29, 2018 from 3pm to 8pm. The Sojourners will paddle from Rio Mills (at Rt. 29) to Darden Town Park.
The paddle will be guided by the RCA River Stewards with the support of the Rivanna River Company. All equipment, PFD’s, paddles, canoes, kayaks and light snacks will be provided.
