Rivanna Conservation Alliance

Lakeside Middle School Watershed Education Field Trip (Day 1)
2026-03-17 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Live Staking Workday on the River - NEW DATE: 3/22
2026-03-22 13:00 - 16:00 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and the Rivanna Forest Restoration Partnership for a live staking workday on the water!
Live staking is an ecological engineering technique that uses dormant tree and shrub cuttings to help stabilize streambanks and reduce sediment load in streams and rivers. On Sunday, we are planting 1,600 cuttings along the Rivanna River.
Volunteers will meet at Darden Towe Park and shuttle to Key West (with help from the Rivanna River Company), where we will launch to access the riverbank locations by canoe and wade along muddy banks. Volunteers should be comfortable navigating the river by canoe, as well as entering and exiting in shallow water.

This event is only for experienced paddlers and those who are comfortable navigating the riverbanks by canoe and on foot.
Please bring your own waders if you have them!
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.

RCA has a limited supply. If you need waders, please contact Bailey at bspleasant@rivannariver.org with your shoe size, and we will see if we can accommodate you.
We plan to paddle from Key West Swim and Tennis Club to Darden Towe Park (~2 miles).
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVNS

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.

Live Staking at Meadowcreek Gardens
2026-03-28 13:00 - 15:00 | VA
Live staking is a streambank stabilization technique that uses dormant tree and shrub cuttings to reduce sediment load in rivers. RCA has ~250 live stakes to plant along Meadowcreek near the Meadowcreek Gardens, to help revegetate the incised streambank.
RCA will provide all needed tools and instruction on-site. Please bring a water bottle. Volunteers should bring waders to enter the stream. If you need to borrow waders from RCA, contact Bailey (bspleasant@rivannariver.org). 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/SVXx

Frog and Toad Night
2026-03-28 18:30 - 20:00 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
Join RCA for an evening of exploring the frogs, toads, and other critters that live in the Scheier Ponds in Fluvanna County. End the evening with s’mores around the campfire.
This is a drop-in event, but RSVPs are appreciated. RCA will provide nets and identification materials. Bring a headlamp or flashlight and please wear close-toed shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. Old sneakers or boots are perfect. No flip flops please! Carpooling is encouraged. No dogs are allowed at Scheier.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP

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.

JRBP Tree Planting in Keswick
2026-04-12 09:30 - 11:30 | VA
Join RCA in planting trees at a privately-owned property participating in the James River Buffer Program (JRBP). We will be planting new tree and shrub seedlings along the banks of a stream.
RCA will provide all needed tools and instruction on-site. 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/SZDV

Monthly Invasive Workday at Riverview Park
2026-04-12 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/SZAX

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.

Monthly Invasive Workday at Darden Towe Park - CANCELLED
2026-04-15 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.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SZBS

Western Park JRBP Tree Planting
2026-04-16 16:30 - 19:00 | VA
Join RCA in planting trees for the James River Buffer Program in Crozet. We will be planting new tree and shrub seedlings along the banks of a stream.
RCA will provide all needed tools and instruction on-site. 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/SZDR

Garlic Mustard Pull in Darden Towe Park
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and partners of the Rivanna Forest Restoration Partnership for a 2-hour volunteer workday to pull invasive garlic mustard at Darden Towe Park.
RCA will provide gloves and provide onsite training. Volunteers should wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes to protect themselves from outdoor hazards like poison ivy. 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/SZKr

Garlic Mustard Pull in Riverview Park
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and partners of the Rivanna Forest Restoration Partnership for a 2-hour volunteer workday to pull invasive garlic mustard at Riverview Park.
RCA will provide gloves and provide onsite training. Volunteers should wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes to protect themselves from outdoor hazards like poison ivy. 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/SZKq

Watershed Litter Cleanup - Location TBD
2026-04-19 09:00 - 11:00 | VA
Join RCA for a watershed cleanup. We will be picking up trash along a tributary of the Rivanna River, and will share the location once it has been finalized.
RCA will provide reflective vests, along with trash pickers, trash bags, and all other equipment needed. This site will not be appropriate for children, but NHS volunteers may participate with signed waivers. Volunteers should plan to bring a water bottle, wear closed toed shoes and wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SZKw

Tree Planting at Montfair Farm Resort
2026-04-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Montfair Farm Resort, 2500 Bezaleel Dr, Crozet, VA
Join RCA in planting trees at Montfair Resort to do a tree planting for the James River Buffer Program. We will be planting new tree and shrub seedlings along the banks of a lake and pond.
RCA will provide all needed tools and instruction on-site. 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/SZWr

Bioblitz in Riverview Park
2026-04-26 15:00 - 17:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and members of the Rivanna Forest Restoration Partnership for a bioblitz in Riverview Park during iNaturalist’s City Nature Challenge!
A bioblitz is a communal effort to find, identify, and record as many species as possible within a designated area. This data will be collected using the mobile app, iNaturalist. We encourage people of all experience levels to attend, from those who are just curious to field-work professionals.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SZWq

Clean the Bay Day Cleanup
2026-05-02 10:00 - 12:00 | VA
Join RCA for Clean the Bay Day! We are partnering with The Nature Conservancy to pick up trash in Meadow Creek along the Rivanna Trail at Michie Drive.
RCA will provide all materials needed for the cleanup including gloves, trash bags, and trash pickers. 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. There will also be a limited number of waders available for volunteers to use. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/S0bf

Stream Cleanup - Rivanna Trail at 5th Street
2026-05-03 13:00 - 15:00 | VA
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.
This is a joint cleanup with Charlottesville Litter Pickers- they will be working on land and we will be in the stream.
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
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SVeW

RiverFest Beer Launch Party
2026-05-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Starr Hill Brewery, 946 Grady Ave Suite 101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
The Rivanna River Grapefruit Session IPA is BACK, thanks to our friends at Starr Hill Brewery! Crafted with warm river days in mind, this refreshing, tasty beer will be available for a limited time at Starr Hill Brewery and Rivanna RiverFest. Join us for a beer release party at Starr Hill Brewery in the Dairy Market on Thursday, May 7th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Rivanna RiverFest
2026-05-09 14:30 - 21:00 | Rivanna River Company, Rivanna River Company, Charlottesville, 22902, United States
Mark your calendar for Rivanna RiverFest at the Rivanna River Company! Join the Rivanna Conservation Alliance and organizing partners on Saturday, May 9th for a celebration of the Rivanna River. Enjoy fun family-friendly activities for all ages, river recreation, live performances, food, drink, and so much more! Visit www.rivannariver.org/rivanna-riverfest for updates.
We have lots of volunteer opportunities available during the day! Visit our Rivanna RiverFest volunteer page for more info.

May Invasive Workday at Darden Towe Park
2026-05-12 10:00 - 12:00 | 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/S0pT

May Invasive Workday at Riverview Park
2026-05-16 10:00 - 12:00 | 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/S0pS

Watershed Education Field Trip - Lakeside Middle School at Preddy Creek (Day 1)
2026-05-19 09:00 - 13:00 | Preddy Creek Park, 3690 Burnley Station Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22911
On May 19th, 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 9-1. This field trip was rescheduled from the original date in March when we had freezing temperatures.
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 pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips. If you have any questions, please email info@rivannariver.org.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/STbD

Watershed Education Field Trip – Lakeside Middle School at Preddy Creek (Day 2)
2026-05-20 09:00 - 13:00 | Preddy Creek Park, 3690 Burnley Station Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22911
On May 20th, 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 9-1. This field trip was rescheduled from the original date in March when we had freezing temperatures.
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 pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips. If you have any questions, please email info@rivannariver.org.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/STbP

Fridays After Five: Draft Trailer/Seltzer Cart
2026-05-22 17:15 - 20:45 | Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Help RCA run the draft beer trailer and seltzer cart at Fridays after Five at the Ting Pavilion!
We will be selling and serving drinks, listening to live music by Afro Asia & Prabir Trio with Orion Redwolf, 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.
Please arrive by 5:15 PM for training. Doors open at 5:30 PM.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://htru.io/SZWo
