Rivanna Conservation Alliance

Rivanna River Renaissance Conference
2017-09-29 08:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Conference Agenda:
8:30 – 9:00 Registration (with beverages, pastries and fruit)
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome – Mike Foreman, Board Chair, Rivanna Conservation Alliance
Diantha H. McKeel – Chair, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
Mike Signer, Mayor, City of Charlottesville
Ann Mallek – Chair Rivanna River Basin Commission
9:15 – 11:00 Plan Globally – Act at Home – Introductions – Robbi Savage, RCA
Nick DiPasquale – Director – EPA Chesapeake Bay Program
Stephen Nash, University of Richmond – Journalist, Author
11:00 – 11:15 Woolen Mills – History and Re-Development
Brian Roy, BR Development LLC.
11:15 – 12:30 Networking Lunch – Exhibits in the Common Rooms
12:30 – 2:30 Rivers, Parks, Trails, and Reservoirs – Introductions Rex Linville, PEC
River Planning for Interjurisdictional Cooperation – Wood Hudson, Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission
River Access and Park Projects – Chris Gensic, Charlottesville Parks & Recreation
Berkmar and Buck Island Projects – Dan Mahon – Albemarle Parks & Recreation
Water Supply and Reservoir Management, Bill Mawyer, Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority
River Access and Water Trails – Gabe Silver, Rivanna River Company
Moores Creek Dam Removal Projects – Kristel Riddervold, City of Charlottesville
2:30 – 3:15 Aquatic Life and Bacterial Water Quality Monitoring- Introductions John Murphy, County of Albemarle
Benthic Monitoring – Jessica Dodds, Rivanna Conservation Alliance
Bacteria Monitoring — Julia Ela, Rivanna Conservation Alliance minutes
3:15 – 4:45 Environmental Education in the Rivanna Watershed
Living Classrooms – Adam Mulcahy, Western Albemarle High School – with Students
Camp Albemarle MWEE Programs – Marilyn Smith and Ann Mallek
Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center River Education Programs – Alexandria Searls
Rivanna Enviro-Thon programs – Ann Coates, Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation Dist.
Spiney Mussel Project – Pearce Johnson – with Students – St. Anne’s Belfield School
4:45 – 5:15 Community Discussion with Open Microphone
5:30 – 7:00 Reception & Music– Kardinal Hall 722 Preston Ave, Charlottesville, VA
Find all information and register at www.eventbrite.com. Hope to see you there!
The following day is our free “Rockin’ the Rivanna” event, with lots of river and outdoor activities, which you can learn about and register for at this link.

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Introductory Training Workshop
2017-09-10 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
The Rivanna Conservation Alliance’s StreamWatch monitoring program is hosting a volunteer stream monitor training session on Sunday, September 10th at Camp Albemarle. The session will cover the fundamentals of stream biological sampling—catching and identifying aquatic invertebrates for the purpose of evaluating water quality and stream health.
RCA’s StreamWatch monitoring program collects and analyzes stream health data, and
provides information about stream conditions to local, state and federal decision-makers and the public.
Volunteers are expected to commit approximately 25-30 hours during the first year of involvement, including initial training, stream-side trainings, and site monitoring. Dates and times of involvement are relatively flexible; training workshops are offered two or three times per year, stream-side trainings are offered spring and fall, and volunteer monitors may schedule their site monitoring at various times. An 18-24 month commitment is preferred, and volunteers are encouraged to adopt a site to monitor 2 times per year.
The training is free, but class size is limited. To reserve a space, or for further information about the training, please contact Jessica Dodds at 540-223- 8599 or email her at jessicadodds@rivannariver.org.
RCA is a nonprofit organization with participating volunteers from throughout the Rivanna River Watershed. For more about the Rivanna Conservation Alliance, visit www.rivannariver.org.

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Introductory Training Workshop
2017-09-09 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
The Rivanna Conservation Alliance’s StreamWatch monitoring program is hosting a volunteer stream monitor training session on Saturday September 9th at Camp Albemarle. The session will cover the fundamentals of stream biological sampling—catching and identifying aquatic invertebrates for the purpose of evaluating water quality and stream health.
RCA’s StreamWatch monitoring program collects and analyzes stream health data, and
provides information about stream conditions to local, state and federal decision-makers and the public.
Volunteers are expected to commit approximately 25-30 hours during the first year of involvement, including initial training, stream-side trainings, and site monitoring. Dates and times of involvement are relatively flexible; training workshops are offered two or three times per year, stream-side trainings are offered spring and fall, and volunteer monitors may schedule their site monitoring at various times. An 18-24 month commitment is preferred, and volunteers are encouraged to adopt a site to monitor 2 times per year.
The training is free, but class size is limited. To reserve a space, or for further information about the training, please contact Jessica Dodds at 540-223- 8599 or email her at jessicadodds@rivannariver.org.
RCA is a nonprofit organization with participating volunteers from throughout the Rivanna River Watershed. For more about the Rivanna Conservation Alliance, visit www.rivannariver.org.

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Introductory Training Workshop
2017-09-08 | Fluvanna County Public Library, 214 Commons Blvd, Palmyra, VA
The Rivanna Conservation Alliance’s StreamWatch monitoring program is hosting a volunteer stream monitor training session on Friday, September 8th at the Fluvanna County Public Library. The session will cover the fundamentals of stream biological sampling—catching and identifying aquatic invertebrates for the purpose of evaluating water quality and stream health.
RCA’s StreamWatch monitoring program collects and analyzes stream health data, and
provides information about stream conditions to local, state and federal decision-makers and the public.
Volunteers are expected to commit approximately 25-30 hours during the first year of involvement, including initial training, stream-side trainings, and site monitoring. Dates and times of involvement are relatively flexible; training workshops are offered two or three times per year, stream-side trainings are offered spring and fall, and volunteer monitors may schedule their site monitoring at various times. An 18-24 month commitment is preferred, and volunteers are encouraged to adopt a site to monitor 2 times per year.
The training is free, but class size is limited. To reserve a space, or for further information about the training, please contact Jessica Dodds at 540-223- 8599 or email her at jessicadodds@rivannariver.org.
RCA is a nonprofit organization with participating volunteers from throughout the Rivanna River Watershed. For more about the Rivanna Conservation Alliance, visit www.rivannariver.org.

Friday's After Five
2017-08-04 17:00 - 21:00 | Charlottesville Pavilion, Downtown Mall , Charlottesville
Fridays After Five – 8/4/17
Draft Truck: Rivanna Conservation Alliance
August 4, 2017 – RCA has been scheduled for the following Pavilion event –
concert groups to be announced by the Pavilion in June.
We need 12 volunteers
(10 volunteers) (plus 2 backup volunteers to provide breaks)
To volunteer please contact Justin Altice 434-242-2896

Pond Ecology Workshop- Postponed to June 3
2017-06-03 14:00 - 16:30 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
Postponed from May 27 to June 3 – Pond ecology tells us a lot about the health of aquatic life, the environment and water quality. Come join us for a workshop at the Scheier Natural Area where there are 8 different ponds to learn from. And, tadpoles are great fun to catch, examine and release.
Please sign up for this free workshop. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PondEcology

Choose Clean Water Coalition's Annual Meeting
2017-05-24 08:00 - 17:00, 2017-05-23 08:00 - 17:00 | Omni Hotel, Charlottesville

Old Farm Day
2017-05-06 09:30 - 16:00 | Pleasant Grove, Route 53, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States

Spring Rivanna River Sojourn
2017-04-23
Paddle Route – Rio Mills to Darden Towe (@6 miles)
Fee: Adult $45.00; Child/Student $30.00
Contact: Justin Altice – justinaltice@rivannariver.org 434-242-2896
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Sojourn2017

Earth Day March for Science (Washington DC)
2017-04-22 06:00 - 20:00 | Union Station on Capitol Hill
RCA and St. Anne’s Belfield are arranging bus transportation to the Earth Day March for Science. April 22, 2017 from 6am to approximately 8pm. Space is limited, so if you would like to join us, please register now.

Primitive and Survival Skills Workshop
2017-04-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
Come join us for this incredibly popular workshop. You will learn about how to build foul weather shelters, how to secure water, how to make cordage and build a fire. Steve Pullinger will again be the workshop leader. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PrimitiveSkills

World Water Day - Water Quality Monitoring (Bacteria and Benthic Demonstrations)
2017-04-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA

Scheier Work Day
2017-04-01 10:00 - 15:00 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States

Toads, Frogs & Critters of the Night Workshop
2017-03-31 19:30 - 22:00 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
POSTPONED TO SATURDAY APRIL 1 BECAUSE OF RAIN – With the spring comes flowers, warmer weather and lots of living creatures that inhabit the woods. Come learn about the Toads, Frogs and other night critters. Please bring your flashlights and be ready to share some hot cocoa and s’mores with your fellow workshop attendees starting at 8:30pm.

C'Ville Fix A Leak Day
2017-03-26 09:00 - 14:00 | Pen Park

World Water Day Rivanna River Cleanup: Free Bridge
2017-03-25 10:00 - 12:00
Option II: Cleanup of the Rivanna River at Free Bridge–Rt. 250 at River Road.
Meet in the Auto Zone parking lot. Please park in the adjacent Tractor Supply Store parking lot then walk across the street to the Auto Zone.
Contact: Robbi Savage– robbisavage@rivannariver.org 434-977-4837 (434-97-RIVER)
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WWDCleanup2017

World Water Day Rivanna River Cleanup: Meadow Creek
2017-03-25 10:00 - 12:00
Option I: Cleanup of Meadow Creek, a tributary of the Rivanna River.
Meet in the K-Mart side parking lot (Rt. 29 and Hydraulic Road).
Contact: Robbi Savage– robbisavage@rivannariver.org 434-977-4837 (434-97-RIVER)
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WWDCleanup2017

Benthic Water Quality Monitoring Begins
2017-03-15 08:00 - 17:00

Rivanna Conservation Alliance's StreamWatch Volunteer Introductory Benthic Water Quality Monitoring Training at Ivy Creek
2017-03-10 10:00 - 16:00, 2017-03-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Ivy Creek Natural Area Education Building, 1780 Earlysville Rd, Charlottesville, VT, 22903, United States
Have you ever wanted to learn about the quality of the streams in your community by getting into the waterway to analyze what aquatic life lives there? Come learn about how to conduct benthic water monitoring and how you can become an RCA/StreamWatch Certified Water Quality Monitor.
Contact: Jessica Dodds– jessicadodds@rivannariver.org mobile: 540-223-8599

Fluvanna County RCA Presentation
2017-02-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Fluvanna County Building
RCA will be making a public presentation before the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors.

Rivanna Conservation Alliance's StreamWatch Volunteer Advanced Benthic Water Quality Monitoring Training
2017-02-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Jefferson Madison Regional Library – Central Branch, Madison Room, 201 East Market St, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
If you are a StreamWatch Volunteer Monitor and you want to advance your family-level identification skills, come join us for Advanced Benthic Water Quality Monitoring Training.
Contact: Jessica Dodds- jessicadodds@rivannariver.org mobile: 540-223-8599

Primitive & Survival Skills Workshop
2016-12-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
Come join us for one of our most popular workshop at the Scheier Natural Area. This workshop is open to the public and provided free of charge as a community service.
Our workshop leader is Steve Pullinger.
Please register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RCSPrimitiveWorkshop

Fall Benthic Monitoring Ends
2016-11-15
All sampling data from the fall monitoring season will analyzed and used to make an assessment of water quality throughout the watershed.

APO Service Fraternity Cleanup
2016-10-22 10:00 - 12:00, 2016-09-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA
UVA’s Theta Chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity will be joining RCA to help cleanup Riverview Park. We will be removing trash from the park and around the Rivanna River to improve environmental health and keep a beautiful outdoors. All volunteers are welcome and encouraged as more hands will lead to an even cleaner watershed.

Fall Rivanna Sojourn
2016-10-16 09:00 - 15:00
Sunday , October 16, 9am-3pm
Milton – Crofton (approx. 10 mi)
Come join us for the fall Sojourn, paddling from Milton to Crofton. It’s the perfect trip to experience bright Autumn colors. The float will be guided by our River Stewards with support from the Rivanna River Company. All equipment, PFDs, paddles, canoes, kayaks, and food will be provided on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to use your own equipment you are encouraged to do so.
PLEASE REGISTER AT: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5FR5Y6M
REGISTRATION FEES (Fees are used to support future RCA programs)
$40 Adult
$30 Children and Students
REGISTRATION FEES WILL INCLUDE
– Kayaks/Canoes/Paddles/Personal flotation devices
– Lunch
– Transportation between take-out and put-in site
– Water safety instruction
– A professionally guided paddle of the beautiful Rivanna River

Big Brothers Big Sisters River Paddle
2016-09-17 10:00 - 12:00 | South Fork Rivanna Reservoir
RCA’s River Stewards will be leading a paddle with the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring organization on the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir. The group will learn water safety and paddling skills while exploring the beautiful reservoir. If you would like to learn more about the life changing work of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge, please visit their website: www.blueridgebigs.org

Benthic Monitoring Fall Season Begins
2016-09-15
The RCA StreamWatch fall monitoring season begins September 15. In preparation for the upcoming season we have purchased new equipment with financial support from Virginia Save Our Streams. The new gear includes;

Waders
Gloves
Jeweler’s Loops
Spray Bottles
Sun Screen
Copies of J. Reese Voshell’s Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrate

The recent Introductory, Re-certification, and Advanced Monitoring trainings have also fully prepared our volunteer monitors to conduct effective sampling in the local waterways.
