Rivanna Conservation Alliance

Tree Planting Workday in Scottsville
2024-04-13 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Scottsville Elementary School, 7868 Scottsville Rd, Scottsville, VA, 24590
Join us to help protect clean water! RCA needs your help to plant over an acre of native hardwood trees and shrubs along Miller Creek at Scottsville Elementary. This stream flows into Totier Creek, which provides the drinking water for Scottsville.
All training will be provided on site, and RCA will provide all tools necessary for planting. 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 IS REQUIRED HERE: https://htru.io/SHpm

Earth Day Invasive Removal
2024-04-20 10:00 - 14:00 | 0 E High St, 0 E High St, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA, The Nature Conservancy, and the City of Charlottesville for a day of stewardship along the Rivanna River. We will be working to remove invasive vines and plants that are threatening native plant communities.
All necessary training will be provided on site and workday organizers will be providing tools and gloves. Volunteers should bring a water bottle, wear closed-toed shoes and wear clothes that can get dirty. Long pants and sleeves are recommended.
Register here: https://htru.io/SHUX

Stream Cleanup with Orvis
2024-04-21 16:00 - 18:00 | VA
Join RCA and Orvis and show some love to our urban streams this Earth Day! We will be picking up trash along Schenks Branch, which parallels McIntire Road and drains to Meadow Creek.
RCA will provide all materials needed for the cleanup including gloves, trash bags and trash pickers. There will also be a limited number of waders available for volunteers to use. 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.
Register here: https://htru.io/SHSA

Frog & Toad Night
2024-04-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Scheier Natural Area, 917 Long Acre Rd, Palmyra, VA, 22963, United States
Join RCA for an evening of frog, toad, and other pond critter identification at the Scheier Natural Area ponds in Fluvanna County.
No flip flops, please! Old sneakers are preferable. A headlamp or flashlight, a camera, and curiosity are necessary. RCA will provide nets and identification materials. End the evening with s’mores around the campfire. This is a free event for all ages!
Sorry, no dogs are allowed at Scheier!

Beer Release at Starr Hill
2024-05-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Starr Hill Brewery, 946 Grady Ave Suite 101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
Starr Hill Brewery is bringing back the perfect summertime beer, just in time for Rivanna RiverFest… the Rivanna River Grapefruit Session IPA!

Join RCA at Starr Hill Brewery in the Dairy Market on Thursday, May 16th, from 5:30-7:30 PM to celebrate the release of this limited summer beer and learn more about RCA’s work.

When you purchase a Rivanna River beer, you’ll be entered into a raffle for some great prizes from Starr Hill! We’ll also be jamming out to live music by Max Mandu from 6-8 PM. Starr Hill is donating $1 of every pint of Rivanna River beer back to RCA to benefit our river conservation programs.

Grab dinner at the Dairy Market, then swing by for a pint or get a 4-pack to go. You can also buy a Rivanna River Grapefruit Session IPA at RiverFest this Saturday, May 19th from 2-9 PM!

Rivanna RiverFest
2024-05-18 14:00 - 21:00 | Rivanna River Company, Rivanna River Company, Charlottesville, 22902, United States
Join us for Rivanna RiverFest on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 2-9PM at the Rivanna River Company! From 2-5PM, enjoy family-friendly activities, fun on the river, talks, demonstrations, and more. At 5PM, we’ll transition into a celebration with a live performance by Hometown Choir. Then dance the night away with a concert by We Are Star Children starting at 6PM. Check out the event website for more information!

Orvis Charlottesville Spring Fest
2024-05-31 15:00 - 19:00 | Orvis Charlottesville, 2020 Bond St, Suite 110, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
Join RCA at Orvis Charlottesville’s Spring Fest on Friday, May 31st from 3-7 PM. There will be raffles to support RCA, Orvis’s GiveBack Days partner, speakers, mead tastings, and more!

Virginia Black Bear Festival
2024-06-01 10:00 - 16:00 | VA
The Virginia Black Bear Festival is a community event celebrating nature and mountain outdoors, held in downtown Stanardsville, VA. The festival includes live entertainment, fun interactive activities, educational presentations, delicious food, and more. RCA will be in attendance with an info/activity table!

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit Show
2024-06-30 17:30 - 22:00 | Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
RCA will be running the draft beer and cider truck at the Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit show. All tips collected will benefit RCA’s programs. Come by and say hi!

Let's Talk About Forest Health
2024-08-14 17:00 - 20:00 | Rivanna River Company, Rivanna River Company, Charlottesville, 22902, United States
You are invited to a pop-up information event at the Rivanna River Company on Wednesday, August 14th from 5-8 PM. Partners of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project will be sharing project goals, progress we’ve made so far, and information about how you can stay connected.
Don’t miss the chance to learn more about this community effort and celebrate the Rivanna River Company’s final Little Saturday of 2024. Drinks and hot dogs will be available for purchase on site.

Fridays After Five: Skip Castro Band
2024-08-30 17:00 - 20:30 | Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Help RCA celebrate the Fridays After Five Concert Series by joining us in running the draft beer truck during the show. We will be slinging beers while listening to live music by Skip Castro Band 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 (if wanted). Volunteers must sign up at https://htru.io/SJoH

Introductory Biological (Benthic) Training
2024-09-12 10:00 - 13:00 | VA
SIGN UP REQUIRED at https://htru.io/SJAf
This training session will cover the fundamentals of in-stream biological sampling – catching and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates for the purpose of evaluating water quality and stream health. This session includes both a classroom and a hands-on field component.
Attending an Introductory Biological (Benthic) Training is required for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer benthic monitor with RCA. No previous experience is necessary. Training sessions are free to RCA volunteers.

Advanced Biological (Benthic) Training
2024-09-14 10:30 - 12:30 | VA
SIGN UP REQUIRED AT https://htru.io/SJAd
This training is designed for current benthic monitors who collect benthic field samples and/or participate in lab days. The aim of this workshop is to develop identification skills, refine family-level characteristics, and cover any topics monitors may need additional help with. Advanced training is required to become a certified benthic monitor and adopt benthic sites.

Introductory Biological (Benthic) Training
2024-09-15 10:00 - 13:00 | VA
SIGN UP REQUIRED AT https://htru.io/SJAe
This training session will cover the fundamentals of in-stream biological sampling – catching and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates for the purpose of evaluating water quality and stream health. This session includes both a classroom and a hands-on field component.
Attending an Introductory Biological (Benthic) Training is required for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer benthic monitor with RCA. No previous experience is necessary. Training sessions are free to RCA volunteers.

5th Annual Rivanna River Round-Up
2024-09-21 | VA
Join RCA for its biggest cleanup event of the year, the Rivanna River Round-Up! This year’s fifth annual cleanup will be held on and around Saturday, September 21st. Take a stand for clean water by volunteering for a variety of cleanup opportunities in the Rivanna watershed. Sign up at https://evergreen.humanitru.com/web/campaigns/rivanna-conservation-alliance~rivanna-river-round-up?tab_1065=

Loop de'Ville Drink Tent
2024-09-28 11:00 - 21:30 | Rivanna River Company, Rivanna River Company, Charlottesville, 22902, United States
Help RCA serve drinks at the Loop de’Ville after-party on Saturday, September 28th! The proceeds from drink sales will benefit RCA and the Rivanna Trails Foundation. There are multiple shifts available from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM for serving drinks, selling drink tickets, and checking IDs. Drink serving volunteers must be 18 or older. Get a free Loop de’Ville T-shirt for volunteering!

Buford 7th Grade Watershed Field Trips (Day 1)
2024-10-08 09:15 - 13:15 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
Join us at Camp Albemarle for Buford’s 7th grade watershed exploration field trips! We will be running stream macroinvertebrate sampling, a forest walk, and various ecology-related games with each group. You do not need to have any experience, and we will provide an orientation for new volunteers. Thank you so much for your help!
Sign up here: https://htru.io/SJVB

Buford 7th Grade Watershed Field Trip (Day 2)
2024-10-09 09:15 - 13:15 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
Join us at Camp Albemarle for Buford’s 7th grade watershed exploration field trips! We will be running stream macroinvertebrate sampling, a forest walk, and various ecology-related games with each group. You do not need to have any experience, and we will provide an orientation for new volunteers. Thank you so much for your help!
Sign up at: https://htru.io/SJVA

Buford 7th Grade Watershed Field Trip (Day 3)
2024-10-10 09:15 - 13:15 | Camp Albemarle, 1675 4-H Way, Charlottesville, VA
Join us at Camp Albemarle for Buford’s 7th grade watershed exploration field trips! We will be running stream macroinvertebrate sampling, a forest walk, and various ecology-related games with each group. You do not need to have any experience, and we will provide an orientation for new volunteers. Thank you so much for your help!
Sign up here: https://htru.io/SJVz

Resilience Project Kickoff Event
2024-11-02 13:00 - 16:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and partners for a kickoff event of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project in Riverview Park. Sign up to help cut invasive vines or swing by between 1 and 4 PM to learn about the project! If you’re interested in volunteering, continue reading.
There will be two volunteer shifts: 1:00-2:30 PM and 2:30-4:00 PM. Volunteers will be cutting invasive vines that are threatening native tree canopy in a high priority forest area.
**Registration is required to volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/2vsm9mmt**
If you have any questions, contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bs********@**********er.org

Darden Towe Park Invasive Vine Workday
2024-11-16 13:00 - 16:00 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and partners for a volunteer workday at Darden Towe Park, as part of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project. Sign up to help cut invasive vines or swing by between 1 and 4 PM to learn about the project!
Volunteers will be cutting invasive vines that are threatening native tree canopy in a high priority forest area. Volunteers will use RCA-provided loppers and pruners. RCA will provide gloves, but feel free to bring your own. Volunteers must wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Please bring a water bottle. Please register here to receive important email instructions and updates.
If you have any questions, contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bs********@**********er.org

Scottsville Elementary Buffer Planting
2024-12-07 12:00 - 14:00 | Scottsville Elementary School, 7868 Scottsville Rd, Scottsville, VA, 24590
Registration is required here: https://htru.io/SKT8
Join RCA in planting trees to restore riparian buffers along the Rivanna River. Vegetated stream banks filter pollutants, provide habitat, and prevent erosion.
During this workday, we will work to plant bare-root saplings along the river corridor. RCA will provide all needed tools and instruction. Please bring water and dress for the weather. Participants should be comfortable being outside for several hours.
This event is subject to change due to tree availability or weather.
If you have any questions, or sign-ups are closed, please contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bs********@**********er.org

Darden Towe Tree Planting and Invasive Workday
2024-12-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA
Registration is required here: https://htru.io/SKZw
Join RCA and partners of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project for a 2-hour volunteer workday in Darden Towe Park. We will start by planting new native tree saplings in an area recently cleared of invasive plants. If time allows, we shift to doing additional invasive removal.
RCA will provide all needed tools and instruction. Please bring water, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather. Participants should be comfortable being outside for several hours.
This event is subject to change due to tree availability or weather.
If you have any questions, or sign-ups are closed, please contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bs********@**********er.org

Invasive Workday at Riverview Park
2024-12-21 12:00 - 14:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA
Registration is required here: https://htru.io/SKZA

Join RCA and partners of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience project for a 2-hour volunteer workday at Riverview Park. We will be cutting invasive vines that are threatening native tree canopy in a high priority forest area.
RCA will provide loppers, pruners, gloves, and safety glasses but feel free to bring your own. Volunteers must wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Please bring a water bottle.
If you have any questions, or sign-ups are closed, please contact RCA’s Watershed Coordinator Bailey Pleasant at bs********@**********er.org

Charlottesville City Council Budget Development Work Session
2025-01-30 17:00 - 19:00 | CitySpace, 100 Fifth St NE, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Join RCA at the next budget development work session to encourage City Council to include $250,000 of funding in the FY26 budget for the Riverview Restoration project. Bring signs showing your support of the project! If you can’t attend the meeting, you can also help by:

Sending City Council an email at: co*****@*************le.gov or to individual City Council members
Leaving Council members a voicemail message at: 434-970-3113
Helping us get the word out so more people in the community can advocate for Riverview Park and the Rivanna River

First February Invasive Workday at Riverview Park
2025-02-01 12:00 - 14:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA
Join RCA and partners of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience project for a 2-hour volunteer workday at Riverview Park. We will be cutting invasive vines that are threatening native tree canopy in a high priority forest area.
RCA will provide loppers, pruners, gloves, and safety glasses but feel free to bring your own. Volunteers must wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Please bring a water bottle.
Signup required ahead of time, and please make sure to fill out a new 2025 waiver. Signup here: https://evergreen.humanitru.com/web/campaigns/rivanna-conservation-alliance~volunteer-events?tab_884=
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 bs********@**********er.org

Second February Invasive Workday at Riverview Park
2025-02-15 12:00 - 14:00 | Riverview Park, 298 Riverside Drive, Charlottesville, VA

Rivanna River Trail Cleanup, in honor of MLK Day of Service
2025-02-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Rivanna Conservation Alliance, 1150 River Road, Suite One, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
Come join us for a Rivanna River Trail watershed cleanup in honor of Martin Luther King Jr’s Day of Service! With icy January weather, we are planning this event for February 16th, optimistic that it will be a perfect day for a cleanup.
Signup required ahead of time, and please make sure to fill out a new 2025 waiver.
Signup here: https://evergreen.humanitru.com/web/campaigns/rivanna-conservation-alliance~volunteer-events?tab_884=
We will meet at RCA, 1150 River Road, at 1:00.
Please contact je**********@**********er.org with any questions.
Thanks for volunteering, we all benefit from a clean watershed!

NEW DATE: RCA Volunteer Open House
2025-02-23 15:00 - 18:00 | 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 provided. This is a drop-in event, so come any time between 3 PM and 6 PM. All ages welcome!

Make-Up February Invasive Workday at Darden Towe Park
2025-02-25 13:00 - 15:00 | VA
Join RCA and partners of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience project for a volunteer workday at Darden Towe Park. We will be cutting invasive vines that are threatening native tree canopy in a high priority forest area.
RCA will provide loppers, pruners, gloves, and safety glasses but feel free to bring your own. Volunteers must wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Please bring a water bottle.
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 bs********@**********er.org.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
