Rivanna Conservation Alliance

Rivanna Trail at 5th Street Trash Cleanup - POSTPONED
2026-02-01 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
**Due to inclement weather, this cleanup has been postponed. Check back for updated information.
Join RCA for a cleanup on the Rivanna Trail. We will meet at the trailhead behind Starbucks on 5th Street. RCA will provide trash pickers, gloves, and bags.
Volunteers should plan to bring a water bottle, wear closed toed shoes and wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty.
This is a weather dependent event. Have any questions? email info@rivannariver.org

South Fork Rivanna TMDL Meeting
2026-02-05 17:30 - 19:00 | Greenwood Community Center, 865 Greenwood Rd, Crozet, VA
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is hosting a public meeting for the South Fork Rivanna Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Study. This study is the result of years of work to:

identify streams not meeting water quality standards,

determine what pollutants are causing impairments, and

develop pollution reduction requirements to improve stream health.

RCA’s water quality monitoring program played a big part in this process, and we hope you will come out to learn more and provide your feedback. RCA and Albemarle County staff will also share a bit about water quality initiatives in this part of the watershed during the meeting.

February Invasive Workday at Riverview Park
2026-02-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and partners of the Rivanna Forest Restoration Partnership for a two-hour volunteer workday at Riverview Park. We will be managing invasive plants that are threatening native tree canopy in a high-priority forest area.
RCA will provide needed tools like loppers, pruners, gloves, and safety glasses, but feel free to bring your own. Volunteers should wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Please bring a water bottle. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
This event is subject to change due to weather. If you have any questions, or sign-ups are closed, please contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bspleasant@rivannariver.org
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVmc

Brook Hill Park Cleanup
2026-02-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Brook Hill Park, 2009 Rio Mills Rd, Earlysville, VA, 22936
Join RCA for a trash cleanup! This cleanup will focus on the parking lot and boat ramp area at Brook Hill Park. Please wear long pants, sturdy closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather. RCA will provide gloves, trash pickers, and garbage bags. This is a weather dependent event. Questions? Email info@rivannariver.org. Thanks for helping keep our watershed beautiful!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVuR

February Invasive Workday at Darden Towe Park
2026-02-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and members of the Rivanna Forest Restoration Partnership for an invasive management workday in Darden Towe Park. We will be managing invasive plants that are threatening native tree canopy in a high-priority forest area.
RCA will provide needed tools like loppers, pruners, gloves, and safety glasses, but feel free to bring your own. Volunteers should wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Please bring a water bottle. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
This event is subject to change due to weather. If you have any questions, or sign-ups are closed, please contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bspleasant@rivannariver.org
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVmd

RCA Volunteer Open House
2026-02-19 16:00 - 19:00 | Rivanna Conservation Alliance, 1150 River Road, Suite One, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
Join RCA staff and volunteers to learn more about how you can get involved in our volunteer programs. Light refreshments will be provided. This is a drop-in event, so come any time between 4 PM and 7 PM. All ages welcome!

Bacteria Monitor Training
2026-02-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Rivanna Conservation Alliance, 1150 River Road, Suite One, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
Become Certified Bacteria Monitors with RCA’s Bacteria Monitoring Program! This training covers the fundamentals of bacteria sampling for the purpose of evaluating recreational water quality within the Rivanna River watershed.
No previous experience is necessary. Training sessions are free to RCA volunteers.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVvo

FrogWatch USA Training in Afton
2026-02-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Rockfish Community Center, 190 Rockfish School Ln, Afton, VA
Impress your friends AND collect data that will help our amphibian friends through FrogWatch USA!
The Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District and RCA have partnered to create the local Central Virginia Chapter, and we have upcoming trainings on February 26th, March 4th, and March 6th in Afton, Palmyra, and Crozet.
At these training sessions, you’ll learn the calls of local frogs and toads and choose a monitoring site to report from. Join the chapter by registering for a training today!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Bacteria Monitor Training
2026-02-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Rivanna Conservation Alliance, 1150 River Road, Suite One, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
Become Certified Bacteria Monitors with RCA’s Bacteria Monitoring Program! This training covers the fundamentals of bacteria sampling for the purpose of evaluating recreational water quality within the Rivanna River watershed. No previous experience is necessary. Training sessions are free to RCA volunteers.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVvp

FrogWatch USA Training in Palmyra
2026-03-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Fluvanna County Public Library, 214 Commons Blvd, Palmyra, VA

FrogWatch USA Training in Crozet
2026-03-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Greenwood Community Center, 865 Greenwood Rd, Crozet, VA

Henley Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 1)
2026-03-10 11:00 - 15:00 | Henley Middle School, 5880 Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet, VA, 22932
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On March 10th, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Henley Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Henley from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Invasive Workday at Darden Towe Park
2026-03-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and members of the Rivanna Forest Restoration Partnership for an invasive management workday in Darden Towe Park. We will be managing invasive plants that are threatening native tree canopy in a high-priority forest area.
RCA will provide needed tools like loppers, pruners, gloves, and safety glasses, but feel free to bring your own. Volunteers should wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Please bring a water bottle. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
This event is subject to change due to weather. If you have any questions, or sign-ups are closed, please contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bspleasant@rivannariver.org
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVmA

Henley Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 2)
2026-03-11 11:00 - 15:00 | Henley Middle School, 5880 Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet, VA, 22932
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On March 11th, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Henley Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Henley from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Henley Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 3)
2026-03-12 11:00 - 15:00 | Henley Middle School, 5880 Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet, VA, 22932
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On March 12th, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Henley Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Henley from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Introduction to Biological (Benthic) Monitoring Training
2026-03-13 10:00 - 13:00
This training covers the fundamentals of benthic macroinvertebrate sampling; catching and identifying aquatic invertebrates for the purpose of evaluating water quality and stream health.
This training includes both a classroom and a hands-on field component. In the classroom, we will go over RCA’s Biological Monitoring Program, the organisms we monitor, our sampling protocol, and how to become a benthic monitor with RCA. In the field, we will use our sampling protocol to collect benthic macroinvertebrates from the stream and work together to identify them.
Attending an Introduction to Biological Monitoring Training session is required for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer benthic monitor with RCA. No prior experience is required, but space is limited. Training sessions are free to RCA volunteers.
Location is TBD as it is dependent on water levels.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVJI

Introduction to Biological (Benthic) Monitoring Training
2026-03-14 10:00 - 13:00
This training covers the fundamentals of benthic macroinvertebrate sampling; catching and identifying aquatic invertebrates for the purpose of evaluating water quality and stream health.
This training includes both a classroom and a hands-on field component. In the classroom, we will go over RCA’s Biological Monitoring Program, the organisms we monitor, our sampling protocol, and how to become a benthic monitor with RCA. In the field, we will use our sampling protocol to collect benthic macroinvertebrates from the stream and work together to identify them.
Attending an Introduction to Biological Monitoring Training session is required for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer benthic monitor with RCA. No prior experience is required, but space is limited. Training sessions are free to RCA volunteers.
Location is TBD as it is dependent on water levels.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVJK

Invasive Workday at Riverview Park
2026-03-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and partners of the Rivanna Forest Restoration Partnership for a two-hour volunteer workday at Riverview Park. We will be managing invasive plants that are threatening native tree canopy in a high-priority forest area.
RCA will provide needed tools like loppers, pruners, gloves, and safety glasses, but feel free to bring your own. Volunteers should wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Please bring a water bottle. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
This event is subject to change due to weather. If you have any questions, or sign-ups are closed, please contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bspleasant@rivannariver.org
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVmB

Lakeside Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 1)
2026-03-17 09:00 - 13:00 | Preddy Creek Park, 3690 Burnley Station Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22911
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On March 17th, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Lakeside Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Preddy Creek Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Lakeside Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 2)
2026-03-18 09:00 - 13:00 | Preddy Creek Park, 3690 Burnley Station Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22911
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On March 18th, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Lakeside Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Preddy Creek Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Burley Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 1)
2026-03-24 09:00 - 13:00 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On March 24th, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Burley Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Camp Albemarle from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Burley Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 2)
2026-03-25 09:00 - 13:00 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On March 25th, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Burley Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Camp Albemarle from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Journey Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 1)
2026-03-31 09:00 - 13:00 | Journey Middle School, 210 Lambs Ln, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On March 31st, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Journey Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Journey Middle School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Journey Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 2)
2026-04-01 09:00 - 13:00 | Journey Middle School, 210 Lambs Ln, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On April 1st, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Journey Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Journey Middle School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Journey Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 3)
2026-04-02 09:00 - 13:00 | Journey Middle School, 210 Lambs Ln, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On April 2nd, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Journey Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Journey Middle School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Walton Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 1)
2026-04-14 09:00 - 13:00 | Walnut Creek Park, 4250 Walnut Creek Park, North Garden, VA
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On April 14th, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Walton Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Walnut Creek Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Walton Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 2)
2026-04-15 09:00 - 13:00 | Walnut Creek Park, 4250 Walnut Creek Park, North Garden, VA
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On April 15th, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for 6th grade students from Walton Middle School and we need your help! This field trip will take place at Walnut Creek Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.

Community Lab School Watershed Education Field Trip
2026-04-16 09:00 - 13:00
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
On April 16th, RCA is hosting a watershed education field trip for students from Community Lab School and we need your help! The location for this field trip is to be determined. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students will rotate through benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, chemical water quality testing, and a fun ecology game called Macroinvertebrate Mayhem.
No education experience is necessary! We will host a virtual volunteer orientation on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 PM to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.
