By Amber Ellis, JRA
Volunteer Coordinator
The 3rd Annual RiverRats Raft-Up
was held at Chippokes
Plantation State Park in Surry, Virginia on October 26, 2013. The weekend
started with a talk on the James River’s Atlantic sturgeon by keynote speaker Dr. Matt Balazik, Sturgeon Biologist with the VCU Rice Center. Dr. Balazik's major focus is centered on the decreasing population of
sturgeon in Virginia waters, particularly the James River.
RiverRats had the opportunity to
choose from two advanced training options. The first option involved how to
increase river access, presented by Justin Doyle, JRA Outreach Manager and John
Mays of Twin River Outfitters in Buchanan. Several of our RiverRats have been
engaged in creating more river access points along the Chickahominy, as well as
in the Upper James, and we hope that this session will equip others with the
knowledge necessary to help with that effort.
The second training option was
“Get the Dirt Out,” offered by JRA’s Riverkeepers. Sediment continues to be the
main pollution source that has not been improving throughout the entire James
River watershed. This training session taught RiverRats how they can help spot
sediment sources along their section and what to do about it.
After chatting with other river
lovers over lunch, the afternoon was spent in canoes along Lower Chippokes
Creek or hiking around the park.
That evening four awards were
given out to those RiverRats who have gone above and beyond their duties. The
Upper James award went to Margi Vaughn, Middle James to Sister Elena Henderson,
and Lower James to Andy Pillsbury. Steve Gregory received an award for his
overall commitment to helping the James River.
For those who stayed the night,
and it was a very chilly night, so we all stayed close to the fire and enjoyed
some warming music from The Green Boys.
Sunday morning a group of tough
RiverRats enjoyed a chilly, but beautiful, pontoon boat ride around Jamestown
Island.
It was a great weekend to meet
other RiverRats, learn a few new things, and enjoy a different stretch of the
James River. The James River Association couldn’t do what it does without this
hardworking and passionate group of RiverRats. Thank you!
