Rivanna Conservation Alliance

Kid*Vention!
2023-04-29 09:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
This year, RCA will be attending Kid*Vention, an interactive and educational event hosted by the Virginia Discovery Museum, and we need your help! We are looking for volunteers interested in teaching kids and their families about how RCA monitors the river and protects important habitat.
Volunteers in the first shift will help RCA staff set up the table and games. Volunteers in the second shift will help RCA staff break down the table at the end of the day. We will bring different simple, interactive activities to engage children at the event. No prior education experience is needed.
Sign up for the first shift!
Sign up for the second shift!

Trash Cleanup with Orvis
2023-04-23 08:00 - 10:00
Join the Rivanna Conservation Alliance and Orvis for a day of stewardship in Charlottesville!
RCA will provide all materials needed for the cleanup including gloves, trash bags and trash pickers. Volunteers should plan to bring a reusable water bottle and wear close-toed shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
RSVP here!

Earth Day Tree Planting
2023-04-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Meade Park, 300 Meade Ave, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
Join the Rivanna Conservation Alliance and the City of Charlottesville for a morning of planting trees in Meade Park. We will be working to plant 8 large trees to improve the riparian buffer along Meade Creek.
RCA will also demonstrate how their staff and volunteers take water quality samples and assess the health of streams in the Rivanna River Watershed.
All tools needed for this event will be provided, including gloves, hand tools, wheelbarrows and water. Volunteers should plan to bring a reusable water bottle and wear close-toed shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
Sign up here!

Live Staking Workday
2023-03-05 12:00 - 16:00
Live staking is a riverbank stabilization technique that uses dormant tree and shrub cuttings to help reduce sediment load in streams and rivers. This year, RCA needs your help to plant 1,200 of these shrubs along the Rivanna River!
We will access the riverbank locations by canoe and wade along slick, muddy banks. Volunteers should be comfortable navigating the river by boat, as well as entering and exiting the canoe in shallow water. Higher water levels and lower water temperatures are likely during this event.
– This event is only for experienced paddlers and those who are comfortable navigating the riverbanks by boat and on foot.
– Please bring your own chest waders if you have them! RCA has a limited supply.
– 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.
We plan to paddle from Key West Swim and Tennis Club to Darden Towe Park (~2 miles). Participants should plan to shuttle in their own cars or can coordinate with the group leader, Devon (in**@**********er.org) on a first come, first served basis.
Sign up here: https://htru.io/SARv

Volunteer Open House
2023-02-15 16:00 - 19:00 | RCA Office, 1150 River Rd, Suite 1, Charlottesville, VA, 22901-4110, United States
Join RCA for a volunteer open house on Wednesday, February 15th. Come by the RCA office anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. to learn about our programs and the many ways you can get involved. We’ll have staff on hand to share information about our monitoring, restoration, education, and stewardship activities. New and current volunteers are welcome! Light refreshments will be provided.

Invasive Removal Workday
2023-02-11 12:00 - 14:00 | Forest Hills Park, 1022 Forest Hills Ave, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
Join RCA for an invasive vine removal workday to help preserve the native plants that grow near our rivers and streams! We will begin the day with a brief session teaching volunteers how to ID the invasive plants we are after followed by a removal effort.
RCA will provide gloves, loppers and smaller hand tools, but if you have any preferred invasive cutting tools, please bring them (no chainsaws please)! Volunteers should also plan to bring water and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Sign up here: https://htru.io/SARu

Buffer Planting Day
2022-12-03 11:00 - 14:00
Help RCA plant more trees at two of our existing riparian buffer projects in Free Union! We will be planting a variety of native trees to improve the long-term health of the streams running through these two properties. We will also be maintaining the existing trees at these two sites (checking the trees, tubes and stakes).
Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and anything they are comfortable getting dirty. Long pants are recommended. Please also plan to bring any water you need for the day.
Please register here: https://htru.io/SzMl

Invasive Vine Removal
2022-11-19 11:00 - 13:00 | Dunlora Neighborhood, Dunlora farm rd, Charlottesville, VA, 22901, United States
Join RCA for a day of removing invasive plants from one of our recent tree planting projects in the Dunlora community. We will begin the day with a brief session teaching volunteers how to ID the invasive plants we are after followed by a removal effort.
RCA will provide loppers and smaller hand tools, but if you have any preferred invasive cutting tools, please bring them! Volunteers should also plan to bring water and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Please register here: https://htru.io/SzMk

Rivanna Restoration at Riverview Park Community Input Meeting
2022-11-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Woolen Mills Chapel, 1819 E Market Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
RCA and Ecosystem Services invite the public to a community input meeting regarding an upcoming river restoration project at Riverview Park in the City of Charlottesville. The meeting will be held in-person on Thursday, November 17 from 6:00-7:30 PM at the Woolen Mills Chapel. Space is limited, so those interested in attending must register online at the link provided in this calendar post.

Rivanna River Round-Up
2022-09-24
The Rivanna River Round-Up is an annual watershed-wide cleanup event hosted by the Rivanna Conservation Alliance. Join us in taking a stand for clean water by volunteering on September 24th.
Our goal is to combat the ever-growing plastic pollution problem we see in our local waterways and around the world. From single-use items like plastic bags and straws to less obvious culprits like tires, plastics can harm wildlife, release harmful chemicals into the water, damage habitat, and make waterways less safe.
Whether you are interested in cleaning up along a trail, collecting trash while wading through a stream, or paddling the Rivanna to pull out tires, we will have many options available. You can even register your own cleanup as part of the event and we’ll provide supplies and guidance.
Sign up for a paddling cleanup!
Sign up for a stream or trail cleanup!

Invasive Grass Removal at Woolen Mills
2022-09-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Wool Factory, 1837 Broadway St, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
In 2021, RCA and students from St. Anne’s-Belfield School planted a variety of native plants near Moores Creek along the Rivanna Trail by the Wool Factory. We are recruiting volunteers to help protect these plants by pulling out the invading Japanese stiltgrass.
RCA will provide all materials needed. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and bring water. Long pants are recommended.
Sign up here!

Riparian Buffer Planting Maintenance in the Dunlora Community
2022-09-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Dunlora Neighborhood, Dunlora farm rd, Charlottesville, VA, 22901, United States
In December of 2021, RCA worked with the James River Buffer Program and the Dunlora Homeowners Association to plant a riparian buffer along the Rivanna River and two streams. In all, over 2,700 native trees and shrubs were planted. To promote the success of these seedlings, RCA is seeking volunteers to help with some light maintenance in the planting area. This work will consist primarily of removing bird nets from trees that are now growing out of their tubes.
RCA will provide all materials needed for this work. Volunteers should wear closed toe shoes, long pants and bring water.
Sign up here!

Clean Stream Tuesday
2022-07-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Rivanna River Company, Rivanna River Company, Charlottesville, 22902, United States
Guided by the Rivanna Conservation Alliance, volunteers will collect trash as we paddle along a popular 1.5-mile stretch of the Rivanna River. You can complete your registration up to the start of the event each week.
We will plan to launch at 6pm from the Rivanna River Company and wrap up by 8pm at Riverview Park. The paddle is self-supported. Volunteers will need to transport themselves and their boat to and from the starting and ending locations. Participants should plan their shuttle timing so that they are ready to launch at 6pm. The drive between RRC and Riverview Park is 5-10 minutes, and the Rivanna Trail walk is 20-30 minutes.
Trash bags, trash pickers, gloves, and hand sanitizer/wipes will be provided. Participants are advised to wear non-cotton clothing, closed-toed shoes, and bring water/snacks.
*Paddles are weather- and flow-dependent; register to receive the latest updates.

Invasive Vine Removal
2022-07-09 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-07-07 09:30 - 11:00 | Dunlora Neighborhood, Dunlora farm rd, Charlottesville, VA, 22901, United States
Join RCA for a day of removing invasive plants from one of our recent tree planting projects in the Dunlora community. We will begin the day with a brief session teaching volunteers how to ID the invasive plants we are after followed by a removal effort.
RCA will provide gloves, loppers and smaller hand tools, but if you have any preferred invasive cutting tools, please bring them (no chainsaws please)! Volunteers should also plan to bring water and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Clean Stream Tuesdays
2022-06-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Rivanna River Company, Rivanna River Company, Charlottesville, 22902, United States
It’s time to get out and paddle for a purpose! Join Rivanna Conservation Alliance for a clean sweep of a short section of the Rivanna River. The paddle will begin at 6pm from the Rivanna River Company and end at Riverview Park. The 1.5-mile paddle can vary in time but is intended to conclude at 8pm or before sunset, whichever is first.

This paddle will be self-supported, meaning that you are responsible for shuttling your boat and yourself. The section is rated as beginner-friendly with one Class I rapid.
Sign up here!

Clean the Bay Day 2022
2022-06-04 09:00 - 12:00
RCA is joining the effort to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and we need your help! We will be cleaning up along Schenks Branch between the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad and the McIntire Recycling Center.
We will be working in areas with lots of vegetation. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Waders are recommended. RCA has a limited supply of waders that volunteers may borrow for the event.
Sign up here!

Meadow Planting
2022-06-02 16:30 - 18:30
For several years, RCA has been working to restore the meadow that runs underneath the powerlines at Riverview Park. We will be continuing that work by planting over 200 native plants and we need your help!
This is a drop-in event. Please feel free to come any time between 4:30 and 6:30 to help and stay as long as you like.
Please wear anything that you don’t mind getting wet and dirty and please wear closed-toe shoes. RCA will provide all planting materials, but you are more than welcome to bring your favorite trowel or work gloves.
Let us know you’re coming here!

Beer Tent at the War on Drugs Concert
2022-05-28 17:30 - 22:00 | Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Calling all fans of the alt rock group, The War On Drugs! They will be playing the Ting Pavilion on May 28 and RCA will be working the beer tent at the event. All volunteers must be over 21. All volunteers will receive a ticket for a non-alcoholic drink during the show and then a free beer at the end of the shift (if wanted).
Sign up here!

KidVention Table Volunteering: Afternoon Shift
2022-04-16 11:00 - 13:30 | Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Join RCA for an afternoon of tabling at this year’s KidVention, an event put on by the Virginia Discovery Museum! We will be hosting some interactive activities for kids and their families to enjoy.
This shift is responsible for the last 2 hours of tabling and break down. Please wear comfortable shoes and come ready to have fun!

KidVention Table Volunteering: Morning Shift
2022-04-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Join RCA for a morning of tabling at this year’s KidVention, an event put on by the Virginia Discovery Museum! We will be hosting some interactive activities for kids and their families to enjoy.
This shift is responsible for the setup of the table and the first 1.5 hours of tabling. Please wear comfortable shoes and come ready to have fun!

An Evening with Frogs, Toads, and Other Pond Critters
2022-04-08 18:30 - 20:30 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
Join Rivanna Conservation Alliance for an evening of frog, toad, and other pond critter identification at Scheier Natural Area in Fluvanna County. This is a drop-in event where we will have knowledgeable volunteers stationed around the ponds to teach visitors a bit about pond ecology, all while listening to our choir of frogs!
No flip flops! Closed-toe shoes that are okay to get muddy are recommended. A headlamp or flashlight, a camera, and curiosity are necessary. We highly recommend that you arrive before the sun sets 7:37pm to get a lay of the land before it is dark.
We will end the evening with s’mores around the campfire near the Education Pavillion at Scheier Natural Area.
This is a free event, though donations to the Scheier Natural Area will be gratefully accepted.

Riparian Buffer Planting Workday
2022-03-20 12:00 - 15:00
Join us to help protect clean water! Riparian buffers are essential to clean, healthy streams. Vegetated stream banks filter pollutants, provide habitat, and prevent erosion.
During this workday, we will work to plant bare root seedlings along a stream corridor in Free Union. All tools and instruction will be provided by RCA. Please bring water, your favorite work gloves if you have them, and wear closed-toe shoes. Participants should be comfortable being outside for several hours.

Invasive Vine Cutting Workday
2022-02-12 12:00 - 14:00
Join RCA for a day of removing invasive plants from one of our recent tree planting projects in the Dunlora community. We will begin the day with a brief session teaching volunteers how to ID the invasive plants we are after followed by a removal effort.
RCA will provide loppers and smaller hand tools, but if you have any preferred invasive cutting tools, please bring them! Volunteers should also plan to bring water and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Sign up here: https://htru.io/RZYn

Green Belt Marathon Volunteering
2021-12-05
This year, RCA is the beneficiary of the Rivanna Greenbelt Marathon in Charlottesville. To show our thanks, we want to provide the event with volunteers to help put on the race! Volunteers are being recruited to help between 5:30am-12:30pm over three different shifts.
Sign up here!

Dunlora Buffer Planting Day!
2021-12-04 10:00 - 13:00
RCA is partnering with the James River Association for an exciting project in the Dunlora neighborhood. We will be installing over 9 acres of trees to create a riparian buffer around the Rivanna River, Town Branch and its tributaries. Join us on December 4 to plant 3/4 acre of this overall buffer plan!
Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and anything they are comfortable getting dirty. Long pants are recommended. Please also plan to bring any water and snacks you need for the day.
Sign up here!

Buffer Maintenance Workday at Crozet Elementary
2021-11-01 10:00 - 13:00
Crozet Elementary is home to one of RCA’s largest buffer planting projects to date. On Monday, November 1, we are seeking volunteers to help maintain these beautiful trees. We will be weeding, replacing tubes and stakes where needed and marking trees that will need to be replaced during the spring planting season.
We will likely finish the work between 12pm-1pm, so please plan to bring all the snacks and water you will need. Volunteers should also wear close-toed shoes and anything they feel comfortable getting dirty. Long pants are recommended. Sign up here!

Water Quality Testing Kit Stuffing for Jack Jouett Middle School
2021-09-28 10:00 - 12:00 | RCA Office, 1150 River Rd, Suite 1, Charlottesville, VA, 22901-4110, United States
We need your help to pack water quality testing kits for 140 Jack Jouett Middle School students! As part of their science curriculum, these students will be learning about the Rivanna watershed and different water quality standards. We will be stuffing these kits with supplies to test for phosphates, nitrates, dissolved oxygen and more.

The kit packing will happen at the RCA office at 1150 River Rd, so masks are required. Sign up here!

2021 Rivanna River Round-Up
2021-09-25
The Rivanna River Round-Up is an annual watershed-wide cleanup event hosted by the Rivanna Conservation Alliance. Join us in taking a stand for clean water by volunteering on September 25th.

Our goal this year is to combat the ever-growing plastic pollution problem we see in our local waterways and around the world. From single-use items like plastic bags and straws to less obvious culprits like tires, plastics can harm wildlife, release harmful chemicals into the water, damage habitat, and make waterways less safe.
Whether you are interested in cleaning up along a trail, collecting trash while wading through a stream, or paddling the Rivanna to pull out tires, we have many options available. You can even register your own cleanup as part of the event and we’ll provide supplies and guidance. Sign up here!
*Please note, the rain date for the walking/wading cleanups is October 2nd. Rain date for the paddling cleanups is TBD.

Introductory Benthic Training Workshop
2021-09-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
Have you ever been interested in learning more about how RCA volunteers monitor the health of local waterways? Are you interested in becoming a stream monitor? Now’s your chance!
During this outdoor training workshop, we will talk about RCA’s long-term biological monitoring program, the organisms we monitor, the sampling protocol, and how to become a stream monitor with RCA. We’ll collect benthic macroinvertebrates from the stream and work together to identify them! No prior experience is required, but space is limited. Sign up here!
WHAT TO BRING: mask, glasses if you wear them, waders or boots (we will have pairs for you to borrow if needed), water and snacks, sunscreen, hat, and any other clothing to keep you comfortable outdoors.
