RiverRats Participate in the 3rd Annual Raft-Up

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!