Rivanna Conservation Alliance

Orvis Charlottesville Spring Fest
2024-05-31 15:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | 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
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
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
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
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
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 bspleasant@rivannariver.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 bspleasant@rivannariver.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 bspleasant@rivannariver.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 bspleasant@rivannariver.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 bspleasant@rivannariver.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: council@charlottesville.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 bspleasant@rivannariver.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 jeanleagazin@rivannariver.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
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 bspleasant@rivannariver.org.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

CHIPP's Invasive Species Resource Fair & Open House
2025-02-28 16:30 - 18:30 | CitySpace, 100 Fifth St NE, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
RCA is a partner of the Charlottesville Invasive Plant Partnership, or CHIPP. To celebrate Invasive Species Awareness Week, CHIPP is inviting community members to a tabling fair featuring partner organizations (including RCA!) and community collaborators. Learn more and register to attend the open house here.

For more Virginia NISAW events, check out Blue Ridge PRISM’s event calendar.

FrogWatch Training at TJSWCD - FULL
2025-03-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, 705 Dale Ave, Charlottesville, VA, 22903
This signup is full. If you are interested in being put on a waitlist, please fill out the INTEREST FORM.
RCA has partnered with the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District to create the Central Virginia Chapter of FrogWatch USA. We welcome you to attend this training to become a FrogWatch volunteer.
Please RSVP as space is limited. There will be a presentation and games to help you identify local frog and toad species, and learn how to mark a FrogWatch monitoring site. It will end with a written assessment.
If you have questions please contact TJSWCD’s Environmental Programs Coordinator Courtney Harlow-Humphreys at courtney.harlow-humphreys@tjswcd.org

Rivanna River Trail Cleanup
2025-03-09 13:00 - 15:00
Come join us for a Rivanna River Trail watershed cleanup!
We can work together to improve our community’s beautiful natural resources. By picking up trash along the trail, we are preventing litter from being washed into the river as well as improving the natural habitat for wildlife in the riparian corridor.
RCA will provide cleanup supplies. Please bring a water bottle, dress for the weather, and be prepared to walk a segment of the trail. Please contact jeanleagazin@rivannariver.org with any questions.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

March Invasive Workday at Darden Towe Park
2025-03-11 13:00 - 15:00
Join RCA and partners of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience project for a volunteer invasive management workday at Darden Towe Park.
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 bspleasant@rivannariver.org
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Riverview Park Tree Planting Workday
2025-03-15 13:00 - 15:00
Join RCA and partners of the Rivanna River Forest Health and Resilience Project for a volunteer workday in Riverview Park. We are planting new native tree saplings to restore tree canopy in areas where deceased ash trees have created openings.
RCA will provide all needed tools and instruction on-site. Volunteers should bring water, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather and dirt. Long pants are recommended.
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

Watershed Education Field Trip - Henley (Day 1)
2025-03-18 11:00 - 15:00 | Henley Middle School, 5880 Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet, VA, 22932
RCA is hosting watershed education field trips for 6th grade students from Henley Middle School and we need your help!
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 Thursday, March 13 to walk through each activity, and will pair new volunteers with more experienced ones during the field trips.
If you have any questions, please email Jean Lea Gazin at info@rivannariver.org.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
