Today on the James: December 2012

Friday, December 28, 2012

Secrets of the James - Dutch Gap Conservation Area

By Jessica Templeton, James River Ecology School Manager

As a recent Nevada resident, where empty horizons and remote vistas are the norm, I regularly find myself on the hunt for remote unpopulated places to recreate here in Virginia. Recently, I found this sought after outdoor experience on a trail run at Dutch Gap Conservation Area. I shared the trail with a couple of bikes, walkers, and families, but for the most part the run was spent surrounded by trees and water with nothing to listen to but the wind in the leaves above.

The 4.5 mile trail system at Dutch Gap Conservation Area offers an easy but scenic hike by the James River not far from Hopewell, Richmond, or Petersburg city centers. The trail begins behind the Citie of Henricus visitor center and then follows the path of the old James River channel’s oxbow bend. The hike takes you through forested areas with plenty of views of the tidal lagoon where folks like to fish and paddle the calm waters. The trails are largely unpopulated, leaving many opportunities for wildlife observation, including great habitat for bird watching.

The conservation area is adjacent to Dominion’s Chesterfield Power Station; however don’t let this part of the view deter you from visiting this somewhat hidden natural area. The low traffic, wildlife, and scenic forested and river views make it well worth the trip. For the dog lovers out there, the park does also allow pets on the trails when controlled by a leash. Let us know about your visit to Dutch Gap or tell is your favorite place to visit when you are seeking a quiet moment outdoors.

For directions and more information about Dutch Gap, please visit the Chesterfield Parks and Recreation website: http://www.chesterfield.gov/Parks.aspx?id=6442454866.

For more detailed information about the hiking trails visit: http://www.hikingupward.com/ovh/dutchgap/.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Bellemeade, the Rain Barrel Capitol of Richmond?

Installed barrel

by Amber Ellis, JRA's Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

As part of our continuing efforts in the Bellemeade Walkable Watershed project in the Bellemeade section of Richmond, JRA is teaching homeowners about how to be better stewards of their property for the sake of a healthy James River and by becoming a River Hero Home. In order for a homeowner to become a River Hero Home they need to install some type of Best Management Practice (BMP) on their property, so JRA has been on the lookout for rain barrels for Bellemeade. Fortunately the City of Richmond was able to donate the extra barrels from their Build a Barrel, Save the Bay program to JRA. This program engaged students from various Richmond Public Schools to build and decorate rain barrels.

The first River Hero Home flag with the view of the soon to open Oak Grove Bellemeade Elementary School.

Several weeks ago, Amber Ellis, JRA’s Watershed Restoration Associate, sat down with interested homeowners in Bellemeade to help them fill out their River Hero Home applications. Gay Stokes, with the City of Richmond, assisted them with their application to receive credit on their Stormwater Utility Fee.

RiverRats Cris Pond and Rich Marino installing a rain barrel

RiverRat Mike Schlosser

On November 28^th, JRA RiverRats Rich Marino, Cris Pond, and Mike Schlosser, loaded up their trucks with the colorful barrels and headed out to install them at the selected homes. A total of 7 homes received rain barrels and became River Hero Homes! There is another wave of barrels going in soon and we hope that the momentum keeps growing in the community and that they all become River Hero Homes!

Residents with their new rain barrel

For more information about the Bellemeade Walkable Watershed project visit http://www.gicinc.org/projectbellemeade.htm

For more information about JRA’s River Hero Homes program visit www.jamesriverhero.org

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Because Clean Water Makes Great Coffee…

By Michelle Kokolis, JRA Watershed Restoration Project Manager

and former Starbucks barista

Clean water impacts our lives in many ways. A clean James River provides us a place to swim and fish, to boat and enjoy the scenery, and it is an important source of drinking water. But did you ever stop and think about the relationship between water and coffee? At JRA we have, and that is why we’re thrilled to announce our collaboration with Blanchard’s Coffee Co. and the release of James River Blend!

Anyone can make an OK cup of coffee, but you have to have the right combination of things to make a great cup of coffee. The right grind and ratio are important, but without clean water and high quality beans, your end result will just be OK. At JRA, not only do we work to make sure the James is clean, but we also try to support local businesses as often as we can. If you aren’t familiar with Blanchard’s, they are an independent, family-owned coffee roastery in Richmond. They are passionate about great coffee and their goal is to provide their customers with the best coffee available. Together we have come up with James River Blend; a bold, full-bodied and earthy blend that is the perfect coffee to compliment those cool, crisp mornings on the Mighty James.

The cost of James River Blend is $11 for a 12oz bag. Most importantly, a portion of the proceeds from every purchase will benefit JRA to help support our mission to protect America’s Founding River. James River Blend is currently available through JRA and Blanchard’s www.blanchardscoffee.com. In the Richmond area you can also find the new James River Blend at Farm to Family, Local Roots, Fall Line Farms or online at Kojava.com or Blanchard’s Etsystore. We’ll keep you updated as additional locations are added.

Help support JRA and a local business at the same time…buy your bag of James River Blend today!