2014 Highlights

By Justin Doyle, JRA’s Outreach Manager

Despite the train derailment and oil spill in Lynchburg on April 30^th, 2014 was generally a good year for the James River. While reflecting on 2014 I decided to have some fun and highlight the more memorable moments from this past year.

Museum Exhibits

Three wonderful river-related exhibits opened in museums across the James River watershed this year:     

•  Experience The James: Lynchburg’s Pathway to the World opened at the Lynchburg Museum in June
•  “Working and Racing on The Bay: The Chesapeake Log Canoe,” curated by The Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, opened at Jamestown Settlement in September
• Richmond’s The Valentine reopened to the public in October after extensive renovations. The James River is featured in the museum’s permanent exhibit This is Richmond, Virginia.

New Public River Access Sites

New public river access sites opened on the James River in the Town of Glasgow, on the Jackson River in the Town of Clifton Forge, and on the Chickahominy River at the Grapevine Bridge in eastern Henrico County! The success of all three projects is attributed to strong community support and the collaborative work of many partners.

Terrain360 Virtual Tour of the James River

This virtual tour of the James River is the first of its kind. All 340+ miles of the river were captured by an array of six cameras attached to a raft that floated from the Town of Clifton Forge to the mouth of the James River at the Chesapeake Bay.

Richmond Riverfront Plan

JRA and its partners led another successful advocacy effort to ensure implementation of the Richmond Riverfront plan progressed in 2014. Nearly $10M has been appropriated to the implementation, specifically the construction of the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, in recent years. The bridge will connect the north and south banks of the river and accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists. JRA publicly thanked Mayor Jones and City Council for their support of the plan at the James River Splash and Dash in July.

Our River at Risk

JRA launched an advocacy campaign titled “Our River at Risk” to protect the James River from toxic threats including rail transport, chemical storage, and coal ash storage ponds. To get involved in this campaign to protect the James River, join JRA’s Advocacy Network. Visit www.riveratrisk.org to learn more.