Rivanna Conservation Alliance

RCA Clean-up
2019-09-21 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Join us to clean up a portion of the Rivanna trail starting at the Darden Towe Boat Ramp in advance of FLOW: The Rivanna River Arts Festival.

Please e-mail ex**@**********er.org to register.

Benthic Monitoring: Advanced Training Workshop
2019-09-14 10:00 - 15:00, 2019-09-04 13:00 - 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.
The training workshop is free, but class size is limited. To reserve a space, or for further information about the training, please contact

Piedmont Master Gardeners “The Future of Our Landscapes In a Changing Environment”
2019-09-08 16:00 - 18:30
The Piedmont Master Gardeners are hosting a climate awareness/environmental sustainability education event at the Paramount Theater on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, with two great speakers:
Dennis Dimick, a former National Geographic picture/environment editor for over 37 years and Jeremy S. Hoffman, PH.D. a climate and earth scientist from Science Museum of Virginia.
Please join us for our 30th anniversary event: “The Future of Our Landscapes in a Changing Environment.”
Along with Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Master Gardners are hosting this event on Sunday, September 8, at the Paramount Theater in celebration of the association’s 30 years of helping the people of Charlottesville and Albemarle County solve horticultural questions and adopt sustainable, science-based practices.
The pre-event activities begin at 3 p.m. The formal program runs from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The celebration includes a student poster display, exhibitor booths, concessions, and presentations by Dennis Dimick, former picture and environmental editor for National Geographic, and Jeremy S. Hoffman, climate and earth scientist at the Science Museum of Virginia, followed by a panel discussion led by Frank Reilly of The Reilly Group.
The panel is made up of Lawrence E. Band, the Ernest H. Ern Professor of Environmental Sciences and professor of engineering systems and environment at the University of Virginia; Karen Firehock, executive director of Green Infrastructure Center; and Carol A. Heiser, education section manager, habitat education, for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Tickets are $10 for adults, free for 18 and under, and are available at
https://charlottesville.theparamount.net/4239 or by calling 434-979-1333, M-F 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
For more information: https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/the-future-of-our-
landscapes-in-a-changing-environment/

Benthic Monitoring: Introductory Training Workshop
2019-09-07 10:00 - 15:00 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
*Class full! Please stay tuned for more trainings coming soon!*

This training is the first step to becoming a benthic volunteer with RCA. The 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.
The training workshops are free, but class size is limited. To reserve a space, or for further information about the training, please contact

Benthic Monitoring: Introductory Training Workshop
2019-08-28 10:00 - 15:00 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
This training is the first step to becoming a benthic volunteer with RCA. The 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.
The training workshops are free, but class size is limited. To reserve a space, or for further information about the training, please contact

Bacteria Monitoring: Level III Training
2019-08-27 18:00 - 19:30 | RCA Office, 1150 River Rd, Suite 1, Charlottesville, VA, 22901-4110, United States
*Class full! Please stay tuned for more trainings coming soon!*

This training is for new volunteers interested in the Bacteria Monitoring Program. No previous experience is needed.
Please contact

Ride to the River
2019-08-21 17:30 - 21:00
Enjoy the sweetness of a late-summer evening with a relaxed, all-abilities bike ride to a semi-secret beach on the Rivanna River. The ride will include a quick visit to Farmers in the Park and an optional dip in the river (so bring your towel and appropriate attire and footwear if you plan to get wet!). The ride will end with fellowship and discussion at Wild Wolf Brewing Company. Free and appropriate for anyone who can ride a bike.
The Bike Cville series is supported by a grant from the BamaWorks Fund.
—
We’ll gather in front of PEC’s Water Street office starting at 5:30 to decorate bikes and safety checks. The ride itself will begin a little past 6:00. The out-and-back route will follow bike lanes, quiet neighborhood streets, and the Rivanna River Greenway. wherever possible and be mostly flat with just one very major hill. We will hang out at the beach long enough to hail summer and perhaps get wet, then return to downtown for food, drink, and discussion.
Staff and volunteers from The Piedmont Environmental Council, the Charlottesville Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Charlottesville Community Bikes (unconfirmed) will be on hand to help with minor repairs or adjustments. Stop by a bit early if you’d like to help – or need help -with decorations/repairs.
Questions? Contact Peter Krebs at pk****@***va.org, 434-465-9869.

Fridays After 5 - Volunteers Needed!
2019-08-16 17:30 - 20:30 | Sprint Pavilion, 700 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
Help RCA serve at Fridays after 5 to help fundraise for the organization while having fun!
Please contact justinaltice [at] rivannariver.org to sign up for a slot.

Fridays After Five - Volunteers needed!
2019-06-28 17:30 - 20:30 | Sprint Pavilion, 700 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States

RIVANNA RIVERFEST
2019-05-11 10:00 - 17:00
Join us for the first annual spring RIVANNA RIVERFEST!
On Saturday May 11th, 2019, we invite everyone to join us and enjoy the Rivanna River and check out Rivanna RiverFest! This family-friendly event will connect everyone to the Rivanna River and Charlottesville environment. We will have water sports, a run through the park, art activities, music, monitoring demonstrations, and more!
Confirmed Events Include:

Rivanna River Race: Kayak or canoe down the Rivanna from Rio Mills Road to Darden Towe Park
Fix a Leak Family 5K: Run park to park from Riverview to Darden and stop that running toilet!
Arts & Crafts at Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center
Water monitoring demonstrations by the Rivanna Conservation Alliance
Music & Fun at Rivanna River Company

More details here.
We can’t wait to see you on the river!

Organized by: the Rivanna Conservation Alliance, Rivanna River Company, City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Albemarle County Service Authority, and the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center

Rivanna River Race
2019-05-11 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for the 14th annual Rivanna River Race, part of the 2019 Rivanna RiverFest!
Saturday May 11th, 2019

This exciting downriver canoe & kayak race runs 6.2-miles from the Route 29 Bridge at Rio Mills Road to Darden Towe Park.
Check back soon for more information.
Interested in being in involved with Rivanna River Race? Please

Rivanna Paddle and Clean-up
2019-04-28 13:00 - 18:00
Come paddle with RCA and help clean the Rivanna River! Join RCA and other volunteers to help remove garbage and debris while paddling down the Rivanna from Rio Mills Road to the Rivanna River Company. The paddle trip will be guided by the RCA River Stewards, and boat rentals and shuttles will be provided by Rivanna River Company.
Please register using this link and be sure to use the discount code CleanUpRivanna.
Hope to see you there!

Rivanna Tree Planting and Clean-up - Volunteer Event!
2019-04-27 09:00 - 12:00
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
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
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
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
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
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.
