tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78169163457652420622024-03-05T15:17:34.816-08:00 Today on the JamesJames River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03644929760785300125noreply@blogger.comBlogger298125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-50837895671544350782016-07-05T11:01:00.003-07:002016-07-05T11:08:31.420-07:00 Join us tomorrow to protect the James!<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need your help! <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137922645" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tomorrow</span></span>, July 6, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold an informational briefing and public hearing to review a draft wastewater permit for Dominion’s Chesterfield Power Station on the James River which will include “dewatering” of coal ash ponds. Please come out <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137922647" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span> evening and tell DEQ that we need improvements to this proposal! Here are some of our concerns:</span></div>
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<li style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The draft permit, as written, allows discharge of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver and zinc at hazardous levels for fish and aquatic wildlife. DEQ should require Dominion to pre-treat the water at levels sufficient to protect fish and aquatic wildlife before the water is released into the river.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">The draft permit allows Dominion to release cooling water at very high temperatures that is harmful to fish and aquatic life.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">The Chesterfield Power Station is within an area of critical habitat for Atlantic sturgeon where the endangered species is known to spawn. Additional scrutiny of permit limits is required to ensure that Atlantic sturgeon are not negatively affected.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">The James River watershed is home to one-third of all Virginians, who live in its 39 counties and 19 cities and towns. The river serves as a drinking water source for millions via water intakes for public water systems including one downstream of the proposed discharge near Hopewell.</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25KFcrpt-0SQWlKuDVDND1XXNA-eqMXX4wP2m_oz0Dsg8zmZ-srUHqHjgCYr5CDVCZEzO16Z9-dWd8A5VpDFVQgM-yp41H1KZJNwKvBErvCkC6jkoJL45CqYuwmY_wcoDo0dsA-PjoAQ/s1600/Chesterfield+Power+Station+and+Vicinity+Map+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25KFcrpt-0SQWlKuDVDND1XXNA-eqMXX4wP2m_oz0Dsg8zmZ-srUHqHjgCYr5CDVCZEzO16Z9-dWd8A5VpDFVQgM-yp41H1KZJNwKvBErvCkC6jkoJL45CqYuwmY_wcoDo0dsA-PjoAQ/s400/Chesterfield+Power+Station+and+Vicinity+Map+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="line-height: 1.6;">HOW TO JOIN US:</strong> An informational briefing starts at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137922648" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:00 PM</span></span> and oral comments will be received from the public during <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137922649" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span> night’s public hearing starting at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137922650" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7:00PM</span></span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Location:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thomas Dale High School - West Campus</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3900 West Hundred Road</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chester, VA 23831</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In September, the State Water Control Board will hold a hearing where a final decision will be made on the Chesterfield wastewater permit. Importantly, if you wish to speak at the State Water Control Board meeting you must have either submitted oral comments during the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137922646" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">July 6</span></span> public hearing or submitted written comments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137922652" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">TOMORROW</span></span> EVENING,<strong> you can still voice your opinion by submitting written comments by <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2137922653" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">July 21st</span></span>!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Comments can be sent to:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joseph Bryan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DEQ – Piedmont Regional Office, 4949-A Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Email: <a href="http://ChesterfieldPowerStationWaterPermit@deq.virginia.gov/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">ChesterfieldPowerStationWaterP<wbr></wbr>ermit@deq.virginia.gov</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fax: <a href="tel:%28804%29%20527-5106" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+18045275106">(804) 527-5106</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Background: </strong>Dewatering is the first step in the process to close coal ash ponds which hold millions of gallons of wastewater that contain toxic chemicals including arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, and zinc. Dewatering involves the removal of this wastewater from the ponds and then discharging the water into the James with some level of treatment. Coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal to produce electricity, has been stored for decades in water-filled ponds at locations across the country. Many of these ponds were created before modern environmental regulations were established to ensure the safe management of coal ash. The Chesterfield Power Station is one of 3 facilities on the James River where coal ash ponds are being closed. The other 2 facilities are the Bremo Power Station and Chesapeake Energy Center on the Elizabeth River.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier this year, Dominion was issued a wastewater permit at the Bremo Power Station to dewater coal ash ponds. Strong public involvement was critical to achieving major modifications to that permit. While the final permit was significantly stronger than the draft permit, the final permit fell short of protecting the health of the James River. As a result, the James River Association appealed the permit and later entered into a settlement agreement with Dominion that includes an enhanced treatment system to ensure water quality standards are met before water is discharged into the James.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the 3 facilities will require wastewater permits for the dewatering process, each facility will also require a solid waste permit that will oversee the permanent closure of these ponds. A draft solid waste permit for the Chesapeake Energy Center is currently out for public comment, and it is expected that solid waste permits for both Bremo and Chesterfield will be out for public comment later this summer.</span></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-69729569191350339082016-06-30T06:34:00.000-07:002016-07-01T06:34:47.947-07:00The James River needs your help!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgK0pOGDiJ06-vedpidAgU0QNNBjlO26fupFFTeZikNFrXFIX410Bxl6RFId3_IEizaU8iKAxHedLk8iwnhXDUqtUfz-ZdSY2U_-eu-PBHZK3foOmuqTOE8kBiAkT_ytjoUQavmMcY-U/s1600/unnamed+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgK0pOGDiJ06-vedpidAgU0QNNBjlO26fupFFTeZikNFrXFIX410Bxl6RFId3_IEizaU8iKAxHedLk8iwnhXDUqtUfz-ZdSY2U_-eu-PBHZK3foOmuqTOE8kBiAkT_ytjoUQavmMcY-U/s320/unnamed+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On Wednesday, July 6th, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold an informational briefing and public hearing to review a draft wastewater permit for Dominion’s Chesterfield Power Station on the James River which will include “dewatering” of Dominion’s coal ash ponds.<br />
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<strong>On July 5 we will send another action alert to our Action Network outlining our major areas of concern with this permit so you can help us provide a voice for the river.</strong>
To join our Action Network sign up at <a href="http://www.riveratrisk.org/" target="_blank">www.riveratrisk.org</a>.
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Dewatering is the first step in the process to close coal ash ponds which hold millions of gallons of wastewater that contain toxic chemicals including arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, and zinc. Dewatering involves the removal of this wastewater from the ponds and then discharging the water into the James with some level of treatment.<br />
The following are some key points about the coal ash pond closure process on the James River:<br />
<ul>
<li>Coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal to produce electricity, has been stored for decades in water-filled ponds at locations across the country. Many of these ponds were created before modern environmental regulations were established to ensure the safe management of coal ash. The <strong>Chesterfield Power Station is one of 3 facilities on the James River</strong>where coal ash ponds are being closed. The other 2 facilities are the Bremo Power Station and Chesapeake Energy Center on the Elizabeth River.<br />
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</li>
<li>Earlier this year, Dominion was issued a wastewater permit at the <strong>Bremo Power Station</strong> to dewater coal ash ponds. Strong public involvement was critical to achieving major modifications to that permit. While the final permit was significantly stronger than the draft permit, the final permit fell short of protecting the health of the James River. As a result, the James River Association appealed the permit and later entered into a settlement agreement with Dominion that includes an enhanced treatment system to ensure water quality standards are met before water is discharged into the James.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li>While the 3 facilities will require wastewater permits for the dewatering process, <strong>each facility will also require a solid waste permit</strong> that will oversee the permanent closure of these ponds. A draft solid waste permit for the Chesapeake Energy Center is currently out for public comment, and it is expected that solid waste permits for both Bremo and Chesterfield will be out for public comment later this summer.</li>
</ul>
<strong>HOW TO JOIN US:</strong> On July 6 an informational briefing for the Chesterfield wastewater permit starts at <span data-term="goog_1048898324" tabindex="0">6:00 PM</span> and oral comments will be received from the public during the public hearing starting at <span data-term="goog_1048898325" tabindex="0">7:00PM</span><br />
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<strong>On <span data-term="goog_1048898326" tabindex="0">July 5</span> we will send another action alert outlining our major areas of concern with this permit so you can help us provide a voice for the river.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
Location:<br />
Thomas Dale High School - West Campus<br />
3900 West Hundred Road<br />
Chester, VA 23831<br />
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In September, the State Water Control Board will hold a hearing where a final decision will be made on the Chesterfield wastewater permit. Importantly, if you wish to speak at the State Water Control Board meeting you must have either submitted oral comments during the <span data-term="goog_1048898323" tabindex="0">July 6</span> public hearing or submitted written comments. IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT <span data-term="goog_1048898328" tabindex="0">JULY 6th</span>, you can still voice your opinion by submitting written comments by <span data-term="goog_1048898329" tabindex="0">July 21st</span>!<br />
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These can be sent to:<br />
Joseph Bryan<br />
DEQ – Piedmont Regional Office, 4949-A Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:ChesterfieldPowerStationWaterPermit@deq.virginia.gov">ChesterfieldPowerStationWaterPermit@deq.virginia.gov</a><br />
Fax: <a href="tel:%28804%29%20527-5106" target="_blank" value="+18045275106">(804) 527-5106</a>James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-84565907741401422952016-06-15T06:37:00.000-07:002016-06-30T06:39:25.581-07:00Top 40 Festivals and Events in the James River watershed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />This year marks the 40th anniversary of the James River Association. To celebrate this anniversary we’ll be releasing Top 40 lists throughout the year celebrating some of the awesome experiences the James River watershed has to offer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />This month, we have surveyed our staff to bring you the Top 40 Festivals and Events in the James River watershed. So here they are, in no particular order, 40 places to celebrate our beautiful watershed. <br /> </span><br />
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<li><a href="http://www.townofbuchanan.com/event/mountain-magic-in-fall-bluegrass-antiques-crafts-festival/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mountain Magic Festival – Buchanan </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.highlandcounty.org/events/maple-festival/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maple Festival – Monterey </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/park-event-info?id=DO160006-00" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apple Day – Clifton Forge </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.roanokegofest.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roanoke GoFest – Roanoke </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://floydyogajam.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Floyd Yoga Jam – Floyd </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://floydfest.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FloydFest – Floyd </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.virginiagarlicfestival.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wine and Garlic Festival – Amherst </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.jamesriverrundown.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">James River Rundown – central Virginia </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.vacanals.org/batteau/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">James River Batteau Festival – Lynchburg </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.jrsplashanddash.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">James River Splash & Dash – Lynchburg </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.downtownlynchburg.com/friday-cheers/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lynchburg Friday Cheers – Lynchburg </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.locknfestival.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lockn’ Music Festival – Arrington </span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thefesty/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Festy Experience – Arrington </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://vacraftbrewersfest.com/default.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Virginia Craft Brewers Festival – Roseland </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://tomtomfest.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tom Tom Founders Festival – Charlottesville </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiafilmfestival.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Virginia Film Festival – Charlottesville </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scottsville.org/artsculture/scottsville-second-saturdays/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scottsville Second Saturday Art Walk – Scottsville </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.paddleva.com/big-demo-day-2016-appomattox-river-company" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Appomattox River Compnay Big Demo Day – Farmville </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.powhatanfestivalofthegrape.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Powhatan's Festival of the Grape – Powhatan </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://ameliafamilycampground.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Amelia Bluegrass Festival – Amelia </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.southafricanfoodfest.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grayhaven Winery South African Food & Wine Festival – Gum Spring </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fielddayofthepast.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Field Day of the Past – Goochland </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.chesterfield.gov/EventDetails.aspx?id=8590131696" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Banff Film Festival – Chesterfield </span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PocahontasLiveConcerts/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pocahontas Live – Chesterfield </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.jrsplashanddash.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">James River Splash & Dash – Richmond </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.venturerichmond.com/events/venture/cheers.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Friday Cheers – Richmond </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.richmondfolkfestival.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Richmond Folk Festival – Richmond </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://earthdayrichmond.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">RVA Earth Day Festival – Richmond </span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jroc.rva" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">James River Week – Richmond </span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://kingofthejames.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">King of the James – Richmond </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sportsbackers.org/events/richmond-international-dragon-boat-festival/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival – Henrico </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ehba.us/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2013/05/11/275/-/varina-lions-club-canoe-a-thon" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Varina Lion’s Club Canoe-a-Thon – Varina </span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Westover Lawn Party – Charles City </span></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiacapitaltrail.org/cap2cap-ride/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cap2Cap Ride – Richmond to Williamsburg </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.jamesriverfest.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">James RiverFest – Williamsburg </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.porkpeanutpinefestival.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival – Surry </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.smithfieldvabaconfest.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bacon, Bourbon & Beach Fest – Smithfield </span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bacchus Wine & Food Festival – Newport News </span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.elizabethriverfest.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">RiverFest – Norfolk </span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://festevents.org/events/2016-season-events/summerbrew/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Norfolk Summer Brewfest – Norfolk </span></a></li>
</ol>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-76711558798667515322016-05-27T19:12:00.002-07:002016-05-27T19:14:14.401-07:002016 River Monitoring Program Launches Memorial Day Weekend <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4XD87dkDpYtcO4FoNTM7bHun31ipI1r3vZcOOk7m_VW5NNPwlPz_dJKcSIiDaxEBspo4L2vVxyeRZcUwXOouR5FyoRXkfF2HRIKhqoKAqzypRq797v7Q6e8laS30hhCKZlaPhdetsAw/s1600/DSC_3701+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4XD87dkDpYtcO4FoNTM7bHun31ipI1r3vZcOOk7m_VW5NNPwlPz_dJKcSIiDaxEBspo4L2vVxyeRZcUwXOouR5FyoRXkfF2HRIKhqoKAqzypRq797v7Q6e8laS30hhCKZlaPhdetsAw/s320/DSC_3701+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Jamie Brunkow, Lower James
Riverkeeper</i><br />
<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>How’s the river doing?</b>It’s
a question James River Association staff receive all the time. The
answer is not always clear for the average person. But as the weather
warms and more people are outside enjoying the river, it’s
important that communities understand how to stay safe on the water.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One rule of thumb can help tremendously
– don’t swim after a rain. E. coli bacteria is a common pollutant
that people may encounter in the river after rainstorms. Whether it’s
from humans, pets, or farms – stormwater runoff carries fecal waste
into our waterways and can pose a significant risk to recreational
river users. Higher levels of E. Coli mean a higher presence of
pathogens that can make people sick.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Enter the James River Watch. </b>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">JRA launched the <a href="http://www.jamesriverwatch.org/">James
River Watch</a> online platform to help update the public with the
latest water quality conditions. E. Coli bacteria data is posted each
Friday to reveal whether conditions meet state standards for
recreational contact. And the website pulls in real time data from
multiple sources, presenting when water levels are too high or too
low for paddling or swimming. The James River Watch is an easy way
to track river conditions and to be safe when planning your river
trips.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Visit <a href="http://www.jamesriverwatch.org/">www.jamesriverwatch.org</a>
to view the latest information, or download the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7816916345765242062#37.513768281657555/-77.59714372045903/37.56698902627401/-77.36265427954106/13">SwimGuide
app.</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUNzhwPK8UfXcWMlQ-K3THSwUH5DzWI0zTMhrReWvTN78l_cfJu8QsZPV1ZCGb1_oLbAuGlWWe5plK0n9NithMec00IAhGPoG_El303TCCkqdB2zsEjP9LQMln80mPJZRUm4e530iBXQ/s1600/IMG_5529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUNzhwPK8UfXcWMlQ-K3THSwUH5DzWI0zTMhrReWvTN78l_cfJu8QsZPV1ZCGb1_oLbAuGlWWe5plK0n9NithMec00IAhGPoG_El303TCCkqdB2zsEjP9LQMln80mPJZRUm4e530iBXQ/s320/IMG_5529.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Getting Involved.</b>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More than 90 volunteers were trained
and certified this year to lead water testing at 26 locations across
the watershed. Volunteers are collecting invaluable data to help
inform the public about the risks associated with bacteria pollution.
In addition to tracking this information, we need your help to tackle
the immense challenge of stormwater runoff pollution. There are
plenty of small steps citizens can take to reduce pollution – you
can commit to planting trees and vegetation at home that will soak up
stormwater, or installing a rain barrel, or picking up pet waste.
Many in communities along the James River have already made these
kinds of commitments as a part of <a href="http://www.jrava.org/what-we-do/river-hero/">JRA’s
River Hero program</a>. These small steps do make a difference.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>Be safe this
Memorial Day weekend, and see you on the river.
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-45331935574828820722016-05-27T07:01:00.000-07:002016-05-27T07:01:44.932-07:00Vote Now for the Regional River Feature Contest!<!-- Wishpond embed code -->
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James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-8027331040376267452016-05-25T10:42:00.001-07:002016-05-25T10:42:55.270-07:00Volunteering for the James<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS4QHNj8_M0UHOmkhvnQQUBcyXUCuvRYt5J-twPP3jLFsaam8kQE2gLZMxq_pnuy-lFgBYI2TB0tlGnjM6msk1SJJURg37vgSeb3Bps-QS4pMwinY4IXeOezu14jWUPpOMiDzCqFhx2E/s1600/BethButner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS4QHNj8_M0UHOmkhvnQQUBcyXUCuvRYt5J-twPP3jLFsaam8kQE2gLZMxq_pnuy-lFgBYI2TB0tlGnjM6msk1SJJURg37vgSeb3Bps-QS4pMwinY4IXeOezu14jWUPpOMiDzCqFhx2E/s320/BethButner.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We love our<a href="http://www.jrava.org/get-involved/volunteer/riverrats"> RiverRat</a>
volunteers! They act as the James River’s first line of citizen defense by
assisting our Riverkeepers as the eyes and ears of the river and its
tributaries. RiverRats come from all over the watershed, are all ages and have
many different backgrounds. You don’t need to be a scientist or skilled paddler
to become a RiverRat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet our June
Volunteer of the Month, Beth Butner. She is a retired Chesterfield County
middle school educator. While she has lived in Chesterfield for over 40 years,
she was born and raised in Isle of Wight County near Smithfield. She still
co-owns her family farm with her sister, and she and her husband also are lucky
enough to own a weekend home on the James in the Day’s Point area outside of
Smithfield. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isle of
Wight was one of the original English land shires in Virginia and Beth’s
ancestors were some of its first settlers. She has a strong appreciation for
history and loves to sit on her dock reading up on Virginia’s history and
imaging ships passing by on the James. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beth and her
husband have been James River Association members for over 25 years because of
their deep connection with the river. Their home provides them a front row seat
to Virginia’s history and beauty and they consider themselves cheerleaders for
cities and counties that emphasize and celebrate our flowing treasure. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beth also
shares her love for the James with her son. They are both Lower James RiverRats
who patrol between the Pagan River and Burwell’s Bay. Beth feels it is “the
least we can do…to be good stewards of a small but valuable part of this
natural treasure.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjittiCOm3JJjlK0eGvCduXp5iGU9hi5FBhOk8BkO8Qv9beFL_GMXJCaIcuNE1n4hhPqd5nUNKEAQHbb3rUhi95ftS_mpjrLA4i3LBsKqM5gJ_gvmgu1qdgIIGsQLD_ogCjj0OWH8rLyhA/s1600/foundsturgeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjittiCOm3JJjlK0eGvCduXp5iGU9hi5FBhOk8BkO8Qv9beFL_GMXJCaIcuNE1n4hhPqd5nUNKEAQHbb3rUhi95ftS_mpjrLA4i3LBsKqM5gJ_gvmgu1qdgIIGsQLD_ogCjj0OWH8rLyhA/s320/foundsturgeon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently,
she was walking in the Morgart’s Beach area near their home and she found a
dead, untagged sturgeon in the grass. She was in awe of the prehistoric
specimen and saddened that it had met its demise. Unable to determine the cause
of death, she assumed it had washed ashore and vultures had moved it to a
grassy area. Beth called the James River Association to report this unfortunate
discovery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Protecting
and preserving the river is incredibly important to Beth. She couldn’t be more
proud to call the James River watershed her home. “I feel the James River is
the lifeblood of Virginia as it flows through her with such vibrancy and
provides so many opportunities for her inhabitants to live, work, enjoy and
prosper,” said Beth. “I am proud to be a Virginian who can enjoy and be blessed
by the mighty James!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you
interested in volunteering for the James? If so, contact Ben Hawkins, Volunteer
Coordinator, at <a href="mailto:bhawkins@jrava.org">bhawkins@jrava.org</a> or
(804) 788-8811, ext. 204.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-63579873946555016452016-05-24T13:41:00.001-07:002016-05-24T13:41:21.484-07:00Top 40 Picnic Spots in the James River Watershed<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year marks the 40<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of the James River Association. To celebrate this anniversary we’ll
be releasing Top 40 lists throughout the year celebrating some of the awesome
experiences the James River watershed has to offer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #141823; font-size: 10.5pt;">Now that spring has
arrived, we have surveyed our staff to bring you the Top 40 Picnic Spots in the
James River watershed. So here they are, in no particular order, 40 places to
enjoy a meal al fresco.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Teddy J. Dressler Wayside Park on the Jackson
River in Covington<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.virginiadot.org/info/faq-covbridge5.asp" target="_blank">Humpback Bridge in Covington</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.alleghanycountyrecreation.com/Default.aspx?tabid=872017" target="_blank">Sharon Park on the Cowpasture River in the Townof Sharon</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.blueridgevineyard.com/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Vineyard in Eagle Rock</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Rockbridge Baths Wayside in Rockbridge County<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.virginia.org/listings/OutdoorsAndSports/GoshenPass/" target="_blank">Picnic area at Goshen Pass in Rockbridge County</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://lexingtonva.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Jordans-Point-Park-7" target="_blank">Jordan’s Point Park in Lexington</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> <a href="http://www.townofbuchanan.com/out-door-activities/">
</a></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.townofbuchanan.com/out-door-activities/" target="_blank">Buchanan Town Park in Buchanan</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=158&section=maps" target="_blank">Picnic area at boat launch in Glasgow</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.virginia.org/listings/OutdoorsAndSports/PercivalsIslandNaturalArea/" target="_blank">Percival’s Island Park in Lynchburg</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.countyofamherst.com/department/division.php?structureid=168" target="_blank">Riversedge Park in Amherst</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://earlymountain.com/" target="_blank">Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">13.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=parks&relpage=2738" target="_blank">Darden Towne Park in Charlottesville</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-h-z/parks-recreation-/parks-trails/city-parks/riverview-park-rivanna-trail" target="_blank">Riverview Park in Charlottesville</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">15.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/james-river#general_information" target="_blank">James River State Park in Gladstone</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">16.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.scottsville.org/community/scottsville_lake/" target="_blank">Van Clief Nature Area in Scottsville</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">17.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://cbs.avenue.org/" target="_blank">Canal Basin Square in Scottsville</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">18.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> <a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/powhatan#general_information">
</a></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/powhatan#general_information" target="_blank">Powhatan State Park in Powhatan</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">19.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://tuckerparkva.com/" target="_blank">Tucker Park at Maidens Crossing in Goochland</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">20.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> <a href="http://www.virginia.org/Listings/SportsVirginia/RobiousLandingPark/">
</a></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.virginia.org/Listings/SportsVirginia/RobiousLandingPark/" target="_blank">Robious Landing in Midlothian</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">21.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://maymont.org/" target="_blank">Maymont in Richmond</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">22.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.lewisginter.org/" target="_blank">Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">23.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://jamesriverpark.org/visit-the-park/getting-on-the-river.php" target="_blank">42<sup>nd</sup> Street Rocks in Richmond</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">24.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.virginiacapitol.gov/" target="_blank">Virginia State Capitol in Richmond</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">25.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.jamesriverpark.org/visit-the-park/getting-there.php" target="_blank">Belle Isle in Richmond</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">26.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.richmondoutside.com/destination/pony-pasture-rapids-jrps/" target="_blank">Pony Pasture in Richmond</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">27.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.richmondgov.com/parks/parkLibbyHill.aspx" target="_blank">Libby Hill Park in Richmond</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">28.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://henrico.us/rec/places/deep-bottom/" target="_blank">Deep Bottom Park in Henrico</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">29.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://henrico.us/rec/places/osborne/" target="_blank">Osborne Landing in Henrico</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">30.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.richmondoutside.com/2014/11/new-boat-put-in-offers-paddlers-a-real-adventure-on-chickahominy/" target="_blank">Grapevine Bridge in Henrico</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">31.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.virginia.org/listings/OutdoorsAndSports/LawrenceLewisJrPark/" target="_blank">Lawrence Lewis Jr. Park in Charles City</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">32.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.nps.gov/APCO/index.htm" target="_blank">Appomattox Court House in Appomattox</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">33.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://folar-va.org/project/appomattox-riverside-park-ferndale-park/" target="_blank">Appomattox Riverside Park/Ferndale Park inPetersburg</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">34.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.hopewellva.gov/recreation-and-parks/parks-playgrounds-facilities/" target="_blank">City Point in Hopewell</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">35.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><a href="http://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Chickahominy-Riverfront-Park-2" target="_blank">Chickahominy Riverfront Park in Williamsburg</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">36.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/attractions/jamestown-beach-event-park" target="_blank">Jamestown Beach in Williamsburg</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">37.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/chippokes-plantation#general_information" target="_blank">Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">38.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.windsorcastlepark.com/" target="_blank">Windsor Castle Park in Smithfield </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">39.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> <a href="http://www.nnparks.com/parks_huntington.php" target="_blank"> </a></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.nnparks.com/parks_huntington.php" target="_blank">Huntington Beach in Newport News </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">40.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.fmauthority.com/explore/outdoors-and-recreation/beaches/" target="_blank">Fort Monroe beach in Hampton</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-78607909963095793142016-05-04T07:08:00.000-07:002016-05-04T07:08:12.829-07:00Volunteering for the James<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">James River Association volunteers come in all shapes and
sizes. They live all over the watershed, have many different skills and can be
any age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnTDGl6q9fs80SoLjemi6AC3iUOBORxdikRxxSI_MZgvfbCsW1QXU-aABrJ3oE9sfkGGRCiz8h0-dOdWAzsR3VsvrYnGDpMK5XvIcbJFOsAdyOzG0v-X8i74GwUw5mcXjNE4KQOrnoKo/s1600/image001+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnTDGl6q9fs80SoLjemi6AC3iUOBORxdikRxxSI_MZgvfbCsW1QXU-aABrJ3oE9sfkGGRCiz8h0-dOdWAzsR3VsvrYnGDpMK5XvIcbJFOsAdyOzG0v-X8i74GwUw5mcXjNE4KQOrnoKo/s320/image001+%25285%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meet our May Volunteer of the Month, Linus. He’s 12 years
old student at Tuckahoe Middle School who lives in Lakeside, VA. Linus loves
the James River and goes kayaking almost every week in the summer, so he
understands the importance of keeping the river beautiful and clean. At school,
he is involved with Service as Action, so of course he chose to volunteer for
the James River! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When it comes to volunteering with the James River
Association, Linus has done his fair share. He has picked up trash at numerous
locations along the river, including along Upham Brook and Horsepen Branch, and
at Ancarrow’s Landing and Texas Beach. All sorts of items were discovered
during his cleanups, including toddler Nike Air Jordans!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8AMuvkrU-cpyDre2E6osrecjtE0iP-pIzTwuCF9_l151yOxVamzgcly-jYeDjprXPn6fVUuzZIgNH4WhCwq8fCEOwWkfmZRnx4KWx8YSdZsyGcLY9tDtt_UocYoB0-6ZzhSaTdBn7Cc/s1600/image004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8AMuvkrU-cpyDre2E6osrecjtE0iP-pIzTwuCF9_l151yOxVamzgcly-jYeDjprXPn6fVUuzZIgNH4WhCwq8fCEOwWkfmZRnx4KWx8YSdZsyGcLY9tDtt_UocYoB0-6ZzhSaTdBn7Cc/s320/image004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His most memorable volunteer experience came when he chose
to mark stormdrains with educational markers that remind citizens to put “only
rain down the drain.” Linus had to pick up the stormdrain markers from the
Department of Public Utilities, which meant navigating through Richmond’s City
Hall. He affixed the markers to stormdrains in Carytown and even got his little
brother Zane to help him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEGC1FAMiSTFusFbhX7xzWirrGU0GeDQHqz5wD4_1-N_480-8K7pp7Q4RnRZ91RBJ5E5pAlb5kgFqc-CRK5dZZiNLu1I4lNzXoH2WY2rPpw2ijbBcmrRYcUkr6p4ZNqhilLvJmsvloDs/s1600/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEGC1FAMiSTFusFbhX7xzWirrGU0GeDQHqz5wD4_1-N_480-8K7pp7Q4RnRZ91RBJ5E5pAlb5kgFqc-CRK5dZZiNLu1I4lNzXoH2WY2rPpw2ijbBcmrRYcUkr6p4ZNqhilLvJmsvloDs/s320/image002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When asked why he would encourage others to volunteer, Linus
said “it’s really fun and you’re doing something good for your river. My uncle
says you should know your river, but I say respect your river.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you interested in volunteering for the James? If so,
contact Ben Hawkins, Volunteer Coordinator, at <a href="mailto:bhawkins@jrava.org">bhawkins@jrava.org</a> or (804) 788-8811, ext.
204.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-42793719770776015782016-04-28T12:28:00.001-07:002016-04-28T12:34:28.670-07:002016 Poster Contest<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">The results are in from the sixth annual </span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">“What a Healthy River Means to Me” poster contest.</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"> Middle school students in the City of Richmond, City of Lynchburg, City of James City County, Henrico County and Chesterfield County that are</span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"> situated within five miles of the James River were invited to illustrate</span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">“What a Healthy River Means to Me”.</span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year we had over 150 students submit entries that depicted what a healthy river means to them</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1st Place:</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-e8ABZQz6W_aOAw0y1LmeEKXM21zKLEJ2OipKBtz6lKePs5HpSDe0n80GItQKXAwUXHtsEuZv_V6-Ls5XUqoMub7BlM_kule_uBjWcHe-3iPHeUSzgAFBp_V8PvjWIKV5baMV1HMUUk/s1600/1+Kindall+Patton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-e8ABZQz6W_aOAw0y1LmeEKXM21zKLEJ2OipKBtz6lKePs5HpSDe0n80GItQKXAwUXHtsEuZv_V6-Ls5XUqoMub7BlM_kule_uBjWcHe-3iPHeUSzgAFBp_V8PvjWIKV5baMV1HMUUk/s320/1+Kindall+Patton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kindall Patton</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.92px;">Teacher: </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17.92px;">Donald Mugford</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.92px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 14.56px;">Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2nd Place:</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenEFognI8eyrt4SDYjZVWfHWJnlL6qzHGQVAI0FZQuz6ahwHNLk2rRPgl3AevchOjvryh_TwNu5t8goYJw_1KQjwmi0lS2jh5dzKjwSGXyK4Qy_7sivkqfLd8spKDHPHSVEPVA9SuEOg/s1600/2+Alina+Zaidi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenEFognI8eyrt4SDYjZVWfHWJnlL6qzHGQVAI0FZQuz6ahwHNLk2rRPgl3AevchOjvryh_TwNu5t8goYJw_1KQjwmi0lS2jh5dzKjwSGXyK4Qy_7sivkqfLd8spKDHPHSVEPVA9SuEOg/s320/2+Alina+Zaidi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Alina Zaidi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.92px;">Teacher: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17.92px;">Donald Mugford</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.92px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 14.56px;">Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3rd Place:</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9iBOPRyj68I-pft14-Fh2vKR0RsrtG_Y5oW1aNYh94OCkq428TZva-jsuS9Xg9BDvqd-HRqdyPmGkvzgMUAr6jss4MLRt7voy1fGNz5eO4nl6vGQDip66cG-rHh7p461ZlSR6sRTeGg/s1600/3+conner+true.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9iBOPRyj68I-pft14-Fh2vKR0RsrtG_Y5oW1aNYh94OCkq428TZva-jsuS9Xg9BDvqd-HRqdyPmGkvzgMUAr6jss4MLRt7voy1fGNz5eO4nl6vGQDip66cG-rHh7p461ZlSR6sRTeGg/s320/3+conner+true.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Conner True<br />Teacher: Laura Coppler<br />Elizabeth Davis Middle School, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14.56px;">Chesterfield County</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4th Place:</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rH_v_xNuy7E9jQDMj4X0uzQf4d_SYK5rEgLOGDuZJoDwXGmDgtJkRSOZ_eYRMM8oZzee4X0OoBTD5uvtAsvFHhT3a3lKY6RNmOJM-88gC6f7TMrA5WWSEzT_uDMDHCKSQQCouEbuzD4/s1600/4+Bella+Sayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rH_v_xNuy7E9jQDMj4X0uzQf4d_SYK5rEgLOGDuZJoDwXGmDgtJkRSOZ_eYRMM8oZzee4X0OoBTD5uvtAsvFHhT3a3lKY6RNmOJM-88gC6f7TMrA5WWSEzT_uDMDHCKSQQCouEbuzD4/s320/4+Bella+Sayer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bella Sayers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.92px;">Teacher: Donald Mugford</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 14.56px;">Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honorable Mention:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRt32PCim8d_hCAOs5L_3lCrGwRbnoTgQ264jcAoEijYNptaub7Xh0JNKJ2VQ6QaXC-EnqbJQhRRYmbgje9-g2wVR5p4Ul0lYqXhPkzyj92BMe_RYSSi3f16F1UZXcfo5TxixCMbwzKhM/s1600/HM+Alysha+Akhtar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRt32PCim8d_hCAOs5L_3lCrGwRbnoTgQ264jcAoEijYNptaub7Xh0JNKJ2VQ6QaXC-EnqbJQhRRYmbgje9-g2wVR5p4Ul0lYqXhPkzyj92BMe_RYSSi3f16F1UZXcfo5TxixCMbwzKhM/s320/HM+Alysha+Akhtar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Alysha Akhtar<br />Teacher: Karen Jaeger<br />Midlothian Middle School, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14.56px;">Chesterfield County</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFu9YRWqz5_Dml87__jwdxG9trAUfz9BsnbF4LogEJnSUrBy8Ro9aRpxgJ93XxBpWVmljnTBCRMp5sslMt2xsfIp9YWSvRinc9PaqxV8mpoCOKEwYRSCuGgcic5ttoXYanxZHJrdna_0/s1600/HM+Audrey+Schwer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFu9YRWqz5_Dml87__jwdxG9trAUfz9BsnbF4LogEJnSUrBy8Ro9aRpxgJ93XxBpWVmljnTBCRMp5sslMt2xsfIp9YWSvRinc9PaqxV8mpoCOKEwYRSCuGgcic5ttoXYanxZHJrdna_0/s320/HM+Audrey+Schwer.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Audrey Schwer</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.92px;">Teacher: Donald Mugford</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 14.56px;">Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw57o5YPCwadyGOikTDnS5tpBXXArsDhyphenhyphenJFOnwzrymaLS6jdWxuJSSEy61ashW5svJk4tBrH_Qf3yxPIINmXFtIK3jLCt0Edy2jFFySo-c5hyuoAgDSc4lk0OMKZpMt7KGKP9KG58buLg/s1600/HM+Ava+Gatewood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw57o5YPCwadyGOikTDnS5tpBXXArsDhyphenhyphenJFOnwzrymaLS6jdWxuJSSEy61ashW5svJk4tBrH_Qf3yxPIINmXFtIK3jLCt0Edy2jFFySo-c5hyuoAgDSc4lk0OMKZpMt7KGKP9KG58buLg/s320/HM+Ava+Gatewood.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.92px;">Ava Gatewood<br />Teacher: Donald Mugford</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 14.56px;">Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleTbM25Pqab6X_1yf23hy6NsuuwHGCHYQlTiqilF4jxr64VQ4VqRLUcnW_NGGlHZ8GeE1AgHVzhI-ByvzyWZdSKxO_G3pV2RtYIuv3FT9KY54LC0nxxtn_zfsymAS5xBzSoY_mIBD8Xg/s1600/HM+Emily+Nation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleTbM25Pqab6X_1yf23hy6NsuuwHGCHYQlTiqilF4jxr64VQ4VqRLUcnW_NGGlHZ8GeE1AgHVzhI-ByvzyWZdSKxO_G3pV2RtYIuv3FT9KY54LC0nxxtn_zfsymAS5xBzSoY_mIBD8Xg/s320/HM+Emily+Nation.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Emily Nation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.92px;">Teacher: Donald Mugford</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 14.56px;">Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL9T2yMssfC1fE0dSjPVsyFsMcSv-L-9a_4rFXa6rSEdxaSY5MDX70pUjz9Lkv4PbU9wNy2oNaNuCdzbgvQ7YPuct5RH0o-PMgC3jI84oxLcII232I7YA1_m2_zwdH2CpH1Dq1stDMIM/s1600/HM+Faye+Ryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL9T2yMssfC1fE0dSjPVsyFsMcSv-L-9a_4rFXa6rSEdxaSY5MDX70pUjz9Lkv4PbU9wNy2oNaNuCdzbgvQ7YPuct5RH0o-PMgC3jI84oxLcII232I7YA1_m2_zwdH2CpH1Dq1stDMIM/s320/HM+Faye+Ryan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Faye Ryan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.92px;">Teacher: Donald Mugford</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 14.56px;">Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZDRiRGYg-r9FicYjQYDljCkgkyJi_IofZLHgx_c4Kwf7SygL8f5Okw1181FTEX41OQYx4frs8ycFNKxKew3CK7ynz0zaMROnjOdVZutjSASf9VDkl0XiDc6nISi-MqcygtvOZXIoohU/s1600/HM+Madison+Kozlowski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZDRiRGYg-r9FicYjQYDljCkgkyJi_IofZLHgx_c4Kwf7SygL8f5Okw1181FTEX41OQYx4frs8ycFNKxKew3CK7ynz0zaMROnjOdVZutjSASf9VDkl0XiDc6nISi-MqcygtvOZXIoohU/s320/HM+Madison+Kozlowski.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 17.92px;">Madison Kozlowski<br />Teacher: Donald Mugford</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 14.56px;">Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Chesterfield County</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;">JRA would like to congratulate the winners and thank all the students and teachers who showed us "What a Healthy River Means to Me"!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;"></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">This poster contest was made possible through a generous donation by a long-time JRA member and James River Advocate. Thank you so much for your continued support!</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;">
</span></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-49250780916423790492016-04-15T09:55:00.000-07:002016-04-15T09:56:25.176-07:00Top 40 Hikes in the James River Watershed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ss0K7kGzczlSlF8-8aH-LMAXwEtdFSYA3xEqE4sAlkelsQfthVNZs_BJQMTr7PSEr8RkyqzVJrF97nD5wEF5swrAxJHSn9pFhfoUqTP0wYE6hOnaWVL_TE3uDgzlywKZSlGof8xOlME/s1600/Top+40+Hikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ss0K7kGzczlSlF8-8aH-LMAXwEtdFSYA3xEqE4sAlkelsQfthVNZs_BJQMTr7PSEr8RkyqzVJrF97nD5wEF5swrAxJHSn9pFhfoUqTP0wYE6hOnaWVL_TE3uDgzlywKZSlGof8xOlME/s320/Top+40+Hikes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This year marks the 40<sup>th</sup></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"> </span></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">anniversary of the James River Association. To celebrate this
anniversary we’ll be releasing Top 40 lists throughout the year celebrating
some of the awesome experiences the James River watershed has to offer.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">In honor of Earth Month,
we have surveyed our staff to bring you the Top 40 Hikes in the James River
watershed. So here they are, in no particular order, 40 places to take a hike!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/MountPleasant/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Mt. Pleasant</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/SpyRock/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Spy
Rock</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/CrabtreeFalls/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Crabtree Falls</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://virginiatrailguide.com/2011/03/13/beaver-lake-trail/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Beaver Lake Trail in Pocahontas State
Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/OVH/HighBridge/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">High Bridge</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.ratc.org/mcafee-knob-and-the-triple-crown/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Triple Crown</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.nps.gov/jame/island-loop-drive.htm"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Jamestown Island, footpath to Black Point</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">8.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Greensprings-Interpretive-Trail-48"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Greensprings and Powhatan Creek Trail</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">9.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/OVH/HofflerCreek/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Hoffler Creek</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">10.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/mariners-museum-park-trails"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Noland Trail</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">11.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.colonialheightsva.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/536"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Appomattox River Greenway</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">12.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/fort-monroe-seawall-trail"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fort Monroe Seawall Trail</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">13.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=78539&actid=50"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Balcony Falls Trail</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">14.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dof.virginia.gov/stateforest/list/absf.htm"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">15.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/JNF/JamesRiverFaceWilderness/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">James River Face Wilderness</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">16.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/ThreeRidges/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Three Ridges Wilderness</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">17.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/thunder-ridge-wilderness-outdoor-pp2-guide-cid402125.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Thunder Ridge Wilderness</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">18.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/james-river#general_information"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">James River State Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">19.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/powhatan#general_information"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Powhatan State Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">20.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.stateparks.com/douthat.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Douthat
State Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">21.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Governor's Land Conservation Easement
(co-held by James River Association)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">22.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/chippokes-plantation#general_information"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chippokes Plantation State Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">23.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.richmondoutside.com/destination/great-shiplock-park-jrps/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Chapel Island (Great Shiplock Park)</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">24.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/OVH/BelleIsle/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Belle Isle</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">25.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/pony-pasture-rapids-trails"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Pony Pasture</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">26.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.richmondoutside.com/destination/huguenot-flatwater-jrps/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Huguenot Flatwater</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">27.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.virginiaoutdoors.com/parks/activities/bear-creek-lake-state-park/Hiking/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Bear Creek Lake State Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">28.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.scottsville.org/community/scottsville_lake/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Van Clief Nature Area</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">29.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/blog/marchs-park-of-the-month-high-bridge-trail-state-park-5439"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">High Bridge Trail State Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">30.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/explore-by-state/virginia"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Appalachian Trail</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">31.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://ivycreekfoundation.org/ivycreek/trailmaps.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ivy Creek Natural Area</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">32.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/pocahontas#general_information"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Pocahontas State Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">33.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/trailjrh"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">James River Heritage Trail</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> (Riveredge Park)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">34.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/detail.asp?pid=9"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">35.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.venturerichmond.com/experience/canal/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Canal Walk</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">36.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.richmondoutside.com/destination/floodwall-park-jrps/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Floodwall Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">37.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.virginia.org/Listings/SportsVirginia/RobiousLandingPark/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Robious Landing Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">38.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/site.asp?trail=1&loop=CPL&site=CPL07"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Crawford State Park</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">39.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.nps.gov/pete/learn/historyculture/city-point.htm"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">City Point</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">40.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://virginiacapitaltrail.org/trail/map/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Virginia Capital Trail</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-48704939555017688642016-03-17T09:51:00.000-07:002016-03-18T03:24:59.042-07:00Top 40 Breweries, Wineries, Cideries and Distilleries in the James River watershed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltBbTp-qm5rvX-B3hiXcbRY90Lts96S1Mnb-Hotm0Mot_fCfFotTLpd7v_k-m_7KO9i_7Z7nTMAYn5FP-a1qp_0tvIV1E3bk18C76pcXvfj0b3_yM1McXnsylPomFs4ZBRpjtPvC60Xo/s1600/Top+40+brewery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltBbTp-qm5rvX-B3hiXcbRY90Lts96S1Mnb-Hotm0Mot_fCfFotTLpd7v_k-m_7KO9i_7Z7nTMAYn5FP-a1qp_0tvIV1E3bk18C76pcXvfj0b3_yM1McXnsylPomFs4ZBRpjtPvC60Xo/s320/Top+40+brewery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">This year marks the 40<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of the James River Association. To celebrate this anniversary we’ll
be releasing Top 40 lists throughout the year celebrating some of the awesome
experiences the James River watershed has to offer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">In honor of St.
Patrick’s Day, we have surveyed our staff to bring you the Top 40 Breweries,
Wineries, Cideries and Distilleries in the James River watershed. So here they
are, in no particular order, 40 places to toast to the James.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Blue Ridge Vineyard<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Blue Mountain Barrel House/Blue Mountain Brewery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Early Mountain Vineyards<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Veritas Vineyard and Winery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Afton Mountain Vineyards<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Wild Wolf Brewing Company<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Flying Fox Vineyards<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Rebec Vineyards<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Silverback Distillery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Blenheim Vineyards<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->13.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Albemarle Cider Works<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->14.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Starr Hill Brewery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->15.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Jefferson Vineyards<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->16.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->King Family Vineyards<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->17.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->18.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Bold Rock Hard Cider<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->19.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->James River Brewing Company<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->20.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Thistle Gate Winery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->21.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->King Family Vineyard<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->22.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Grayhaven Winery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->23.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->24.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Legend Brewing Company<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->25.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Hardywood Park Craft Brewery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->26.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Isley Brewing Company<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->27.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Belle Isle Craft Spirits<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->28.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Stone Brewing Company<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->29.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Garden Grove Brewing Company<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->30.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Triple Crossing Brewing Company<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->31.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Ardent Craft Ales<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->32.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Blue Bee Cidery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->33.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->New Kent Winery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->34.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Saude Creek Vineyards<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->35.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Williamsburg Winery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->36.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Williamsburg Alewerks<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->37.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Smart Mouth Brewing Company<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->38.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->O'Connor Brewing Co.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->39.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Wharf Hill Brewing Company</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->40.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->St. George Brewing<o:p></o:p></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-3065956402342689592016-03-02T07:01:00.005-08:002016-03-02T07:01:55.336-08:00Volunteering for the James<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR81viTdhF8k89nwI8g32TeM1HP4mt1pQvUucgJtrr-NX-aSv-LPzIrY_B8vg3Y6-G3qIOq03-c2DtYn1ZmuwqVSxXkhw-J6v8hqBkmQC8w7uMkTm3JHHi0xIR7gz8_n80lvvzwtfSl0/s1600/David+Lauthers+a+LNT+BSA+21+Apr+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR81viTdhF8k89nwI8g32TeM1HP4mt1pQvUucgJtrr-NX-aSv-LPzIrY_B8vg3Y6-G3qIOq03-c2DtYn1ZmuwqVSxXkhw-J6v8hqBkmQC8w7uMkTm3JHHi0xIR7gz8_n80lvvzwtfSl0/s320/David+Lauthers+a+LNT+BSA+21+Apr+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We love our </span><a href="http://www.jrava.org/get-involved/volunteer/riverrats" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RiverRat</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
volunteers! They act as the James River’s first line of citizen defense by
assisting our </span><a href="http://www.jrava.org/what-we-do/river-keepers" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Riverkeepers</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
as the eyes and ears of the river and its tributaries. RiverRats come from all
over the watershed, are all ages and have many different backgrounds. You don’t
need to be a scientist or skilled paddler to become a RiverRat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet David Lauthers, a Logistics Planner at Newport News
Shipbuilding. He’s a Lower James RiverRat that teaches the principles of <a href="https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles">Leave No Trac</a>e and is also active
with the Virginia Master Naturalists and the Boy Scouts. He also serves on the
Board of the Newport News Green Foundation. David has volunteered for the James
River Association in a number of ways, here is what he had to say about a few
of his experiences:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2015 I volunteered at Berkley Middle School teaching
Watershed Education. We talked about what watersheds – what they are, how to
identify what watershed you live in and how they work. We also had a touch tank
with river eels that the students could touch and we played a time lapse video
showing oysters filtering a tank of dirty water. I also briefly talked about
Leave No Trace and outdoor ethics. This was by far one of my favorite volunteer
experiences. Being able to share my knowledge of watersheds and giving children
the chance to see and touch an American Eel was a memory I enjoy having and I
look forward to doing it again. I encourage anyone with time and energy to
share your experiences and knowledge at a school or educational event like
Earth Day.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqjZUdUmHDQWkhceYjnKwku8k9Yu-kZucll-umgsyw-6eOfIshWjznaNn03Zb2ORrIEjl5UvvPwGG5evcbHZe55uC4UGrxrAsbS5XNCK6NTqomud2g43uBcQ_lK8L_7Q33Q8qeeP4CFo/s1600/dp-nws-environmental-lunch-20160227-0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqjZUdUmHDQWkhceYjnKwku8k9Yu-kZucll-umgsyw-6eOfIshWjznaNn03Zb2ORrIEjl5UvvPwGG5evcbHZe55uC4UGrxrAsbS5XNCK6NTqomud2g43uBcQ_lK8L_7Q33Q8qeeP4CFo/s320/dp-nws-environmental-lunch-20160227-0011.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently, at the request of the James River Association’s
Volunteer Coordinator, I was asked to attend an Environmental Justice
Empowerment Luncheon in the Southeast Community of Newport News. I had never
heard of the term “environmental justice,” which I learned is the fair
treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color,
national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation and
enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although I have lived in Newport News for 20 years, I had
never ventured to the Southeast area of the city, even though it is near where
I work. I arrived early to the event and attended a briefing by Congressman
Bobby Scott and Delegate Marcia Price. I was among the company of many other
state and local organizations such as the Virginia Conservation Network,
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Choose Clean Water Coalition, Southeast Asthma
Network, Virginia Student Environmental Coalition, VA Sierra Club and the
Southeast Care Coalition. Each group was given a chance to speak, reviewing
their missions, roles and what potential assistance they could bring to the
table to help the Southeast Community. The
elected officials told the group that they are working to ensure our communities
have the opportunity to live in a clean and safe environment free from polluted
water.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall this was a very unique learning experience for me.
It showed me the problems within a community in my city and also showed me what
organizations are coming together to help put an end to the issues. The chance
to network with all these organizations was definitely valuable.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Want to become a RiverRat and help
make a difference in your community? Attend one of our upcoming trainings
listed below. Contact Ben Hawkins at </span><a href="mailto:bhawkins@jrava.org"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">bhawkins@jrava.org</span></a><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> for more
information.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March 19 – Newport News<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">July 23 – Buchanan/Covington<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 13 – Charlottesville<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September 17 – Richmond </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-17873728702404902742016-02-23T08:02:00.000-08:002016-02-23T08:02:26.000-08:00General Assembly Budget Update<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_614660410" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Sunday</span></span> afternoon, the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia released their proposed budget packages in response to the Governor’s proposal. In the coming weeks, these proposals will be used to formulate the final budget for the Commonwealth of Virginia for the next two years.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
Below is a summary of the priority budget items for the James River Association.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<strong>Urban Water Quality Initiatives</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
Virginia has made significant investments in water quality over the last two decades resulting in major pollution reductions and improvements to local water quality. But urban stormwater is the only pollution source that is still growing. In order to stop this upward trend, it is important for Virginia to make investments in the critical water quality need. The Senate included $20 million which is a step in the right direction.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<strong style="line-height: 1.6;">SUPPORT $20 million in bonds for the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund</strong></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<strong>Protecting Virginia’s Vital Lands</strong></div>
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Did you know that investments in land conservation, such as state parks and other open spaces, provide significant economic benefits to communities in Virginia? These benefits include increased opportunities for outdoor recreation and tourism, attraction and retention of businesses and skilled workers, improved water quality, enhanced property values, reduced costs of community services, and support for the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries. The House of Delegates included $39 million for land conservation. We need to protect this investment.</div>
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<strong style="line-height: 1.6;">SUPPORT $39 million for Land Conservation</strong></div>
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<strong>Keeping Virginia’s Farms Clean Water Friendly</strong></div>
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Agriculture is the largest industry in Virginia. It is important to work with members of the agricultural community to reach solutions that help to restore the James River and support local farming operations. Both the House and the Senate included $61.7 million to help Virginia’s farmers – a remarkable investment.</div>
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<strong style="line-height: 1.6;">SUPPORT $61.7 million for agricultural management practices</strong></div>
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<strong>Support Wastewater Upgrades</strong></div>
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Much of Virginia’s water quality progress is due to great work done by wastewater treatment plant upgrades. This year, more upgrades are due. We must keep this impactful state/local partnership strong. Both the House and Senate included $59 million in bonds for wastewater improvements across the state.</div>
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<strong style="line-height: 1.6;">SUPPORT wastewater bonds totaling $59 million</strong></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-14639453655902305912016-02-16T11:33:00.000-08:002016-02-16T11:33:19.697-08:00General Assembly Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB12o0KSF_VeAJfEVqXvf1lNJqdPSbOW7xvoqSrCX_s6rgUVV36Ih3VVIJbYYhYAzmmz9Ei3sjZlARoGGtCG48nbq60AhUNcyUv5C9V0lHMbYGGXA_eTABIND5aEJd-wBh9wD7dMhcT4Q/s1600/RiveratRiskMap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB12o0KSF_VeAJfEVqXvf1lNJqdPSbOW7xvoqSrCX_s6rgUVV36Ih3VVIJbYYhYAzmmz9Ei3sjZlARoGGtCG48nbq60AhUNcyUv5C9V0lHMbYGGXA_eTABIND5aEJd-wBh9wD7dMhcT4Q/s320/RiveratRiskMap1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.riveratrisk.org/">www.RiverAtRisk.org</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve made it halfway through the 2016 General Assembly Session! Thanks to your help, we’ve made our priorities clear to legislators. Below is an update on each of our key priorities:</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Priority One: Support Water Quality and Land Conservation Funding</u></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Background</b></i>: Virginia has made significant investments in water quality and land conservation over the last two decades resulting in major pollution reductions and improvements to local water quality. In order to keep Virginia’s on track with meeting our restoration goals, continued investment is necessary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i style="background-color: white;">Update: The budget debate is heating up on the hill. This week, legislators will vote on funding that could determine whether the Commonwealth continues to make progress towards cleaner rivers and streams — or falls short on its goals. We will be there making the case for the James River!</i></b></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Priority Two: Support Proper Coal Ash Pond Closure (Senate Bill 537)</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Background</i>:</b> The James River watershed is home to coal ash ponds capable of holding five billion gallons of coal ash. Each pond in the watershed is adjacent to the river or one of its tributaries. Coal ash, which is a waste product of the electricity generation process, contains arsenic, lead and mercury among other toxics. Simply capping coal ash ponds in place, as currently proposed, does not stop the potential of groundwater contamination or leaching in to surface waters. Every North Carolina pond that has been tested has been shown to be contaminating the surrounding groundwater. Despite this track record of contamination, Virginia’s code does not require lining, capping and long-term monitoring for these facilities. Passing this critical bill will provide that protection to Virginia’s waterways and will allow power generating companies to recover the costs.</span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Update: This bill spurred great conversation of the coal ash issue with Virginia legislators. Unfortunately, the coal ash pond closure bill died in the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources committee on a 7-7-1 vote. But do not fear — this conversation will not stop here. A dewatering permit to drain the ponds at Chesterfield Power Station is coming soon, as well as permits for the ultimate closure of the ponds. We still need your help in this fight!</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Priority Three: Support Swifter Spill Notification (Senate Bill 581 & House Bill 977)</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Background</b></i>: Current law requires the spill of a dangerous substance be reported within 24 hours to the Department of Environmental Quality. We believe that this timeline leaves our waterways, citizens and economy at risk. Accelerating that timeline to 12 hours and enhancing public notification will better protect us all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Update: After working with stakeholders to address opposition to this bill, we reached a compromise that removed the 12 hour timeline for notification (leaving it at the current 24 hours) but still increased spill notification from just newspapers to also include radio and television. The bill successfully made it out of the House of Delegates, but did not make it out of the Senate. We will work tirelessly to ensure that we can be successful when the House bill comes before the Senate again.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Priority Four: Support Proper Menhaden Management (Senate Bill 98 & House Bill 150)</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Background</b></i>: Menhaden have been called "the most important fish in the sea." Menhaden are both filter feeders and a primary food source for striped bass, bluefish, sharks, ospreys, brown pelicans, and dolphin. Beyond its ecological importance, the menhaden fishery is very important economically to the Commonwealth, supporting hundreds of jobs. JRA urges legislators to transfer management of the menhaden fishery from the General Assembly to the experienced fishery professionals at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). VMRC currently manages all of the Commonwealth's fisheries except menhaden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Update: Both bills have been defeated, due to the delicate relationship between menhaden management and jobs. This is a conversation that will continue at the General Assembly level in the future.</i></b></span><br />
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James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-70339691827581547722016-02-12T14:58:00.000-08:002016-02-12T14:58:04.488-08:00Top 40 Romantic Spots in the James River watershed<div style="background: #ffffff; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2kJ5emT9hvSDEPH1emLZhFo2mUYa7ya-L3XguGc45mr8EhZ0IzHqkExd1HhI3Q1AV55kI0YOrDVgcPQEt2bQMTD5eFnq2o1qNTF1X_MUnzM2MG8IQH350-UUrmWbnZ2Nc_CaIzEey3k/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2kJ5emT9hvSDEPH1emLZhFo2mUYa7ya-L3XguGc45mr8EhZ0IzHqkExd1HhI3Q1AV55kI0YOrDVgcPQEt2bQMTD5eFnq2o1qNTF1X_MUnzM2MG8IQH350-UUrmWbnZ2Nc_CaIzEey3k/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This
year marks the 40</span></span></span><span style="color: #141823;"><sup><span style="font-family: Helvetica, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">th</span></span></sup></span><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
anniversary of the James River Association. To celebrate this
anniversary we’ll be releasing Top 40 lists throughout the year
celebrating some of the awesome experiences the James River watershed
has to offer. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="background: #ffffff; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In
honor of Valentine’s Day, we have surveyed our social media
following as well as our staff to bring you the Top 40 Romantic Spots
in the James River watershed. So here they are, in no particular
order, 40 beautiful places to spend time with your special someone.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anywhere in a tandem canoe or
kayak with your special someone</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Taking a stroll across the
Buchanan swinging bridge</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dinner at the Craddock Terry Hotel
in Lynchburg</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sitting around the campfire at
James River State Park</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A weekend stay at the James River
Inn</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Enjoying the waterfall at Roaring
Run Creek near Gala</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Date night at Buchanan Theatre</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A weekend stay at Natural Bridge</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sipping wine at Pippin Hill
Vineyard</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The view from the Appalachian
Trail footbridge at Snowden</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Secluded camping at James River
Face Wilderness</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The view from the top of Crabtree
Falls</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The view from Lynchburg’s Bluff
Walk</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Catching the sunset at Seven
Islands in Fluvanna</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Romantic getaway in Clifton Forge</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Taking in the view at Blue Ridge
Vineyards</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Catching a concert at the
Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Attending a wedding at Historic
Riverview on the James</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A bicycle ride at High Bridge
State Park</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stargazing at Historic Belmead</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Horseback riding at Powhatan State
Park</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Date night at the Goochland
Drive-In
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Taking a stroll through Tucker
Park</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>Picnic at
Agecroft Hall
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The ballroom at Richmond’s Pump
House Park</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Romantic dinner at the Boathouse
in Rocketts Landing</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Marriage proposal at Libby Hill
Park</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Picnic at Riverside Meadow in the
James River Park System</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Swimming at Pony Posture
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Walking through the gardens at
Maymont</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Catching a concert at the Beacon
Theatre in Hopewell
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sunset cruise looking for sturgeon
on the Lower James</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Attending a wedding at Westover
Plantation</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dinner at Smithfield Station</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Renting a cabin at Chippokes
Plantation State Park</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Enjoying the view from the
overlook in the Governor's Land Preservation Area</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paddling College Creek off the
Colonial Parkway</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Swimming at Huntington Beach
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Attending a wedding Kingsmill
Resort
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Waterfront dining at the
Chamberlin at Fort Monroe</div>
</li>
</ol>
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James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-82018085083624999822016-02-10T09:49:00.001-08:002016-02-10T14:09:57.598-08:00Court Challenge Planned to Protect the James River<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The James River Association has been working with the Southern Environmental Law Center to file a notice of appeal for the permit issued by DEQ to Dominion last month to allow discharge of coal ash wastewater from Bremo Power Station into the James River. Below is the statement released by both organizations today.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We thank you for your support throughout this process. You help us give the James River the voice it deserves.</span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Conservation Groups Plan Court Challenge to Protect the James River from Coal Ash Pollution</b></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On behalf of the James River Association, Southern Environmental Law Center has filed a notice with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Dominion Power that it will appeal the permit issued by DEQ to Dominion last month to allow the discharge of over 350 million gallons of coal ash wastewater from the Bremo Power Station into the James River. The James River Association is represented in this action by the Southern Environmental Law Center. This notice of appeal is required prior to filing the actual appeal of the permit with a state court judge in Richmond.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In January, the State Water Control Board issued a permit allowing Dominion to discharge millions of gallons per day of coal ash wastewater containing heavy metals at levels exceeding the state’s own standards to protect human and aquatic life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The conservation groups are challenging the failure of the permit to protect a high quality water body, as required by the Clean Water Act. In violation of the law, the permit does not require Dominion to fully use readily available water treatment technologies to remove enough of the toxic metals from the wastewater to meet state water quality standards before it is released into the river. Rather, it allows higher levels of pollution and relies on dilution within the river to meet water quality standards. The law prohibits this degradation in such a high quality area of the river, which is a popular small mouth bass fishery and home to endangered species of mussels.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“The James River Association is committed to ensuring that the James River is fully protected from the harmful effects of coal ash. The James River near Bremo Power Station is a biologically healthy and diverse section of the river with important resources that must be protected,” said Bill Street, CEO at James River Association. “We are deeply disappointed that the permit approved by the State Water Control Board fell short of fully protecting the James River when the technology to meet stronger water quality protections is readily available and affordable. We are filing notice of an appeal to ensure that ‘America's Founding River’ receives the same level of protection as any other waters.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Explained Brad McLane, Senior Attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center: “The law required DEQ to set tough standards based on the availability of proven and affordable technology to treat these wastewaters and protect the high quality waters of the James River. Instead the DEQ permit sets lax standards that fail to protect the James. DEQ and the State Water Control Board clearly broke the law in issuing this permit.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition to the Bremo permit, the State Water Control Board approved a permit allowing Dominion to discharge wastewater from coal ash ponds at Possum Point Power Station on Quantico Creek near the Potomac. On behalf of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, SELC will also be pursuing a permit appeal to protect the Potomac River and Quantico Creek from coal ash wastewaters discharged from the Possum Point Power Plant in Dumfries, VA.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://jrava.org/what-we-do/Publications/press-release/Bremo_NoticeofAppeal_PressRelease%20BS.pdf">View the full Press Release</a>. Visit our website <a href="http://www.riveratrisk.org/">www.RiveratRisk.org </a>for more information.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-56537328529204586382016-01-21T11:13:00.001-08:002016-01-21T19:20:54.613-08:002016 General Assembly Priorities<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4lR2EC6lm6SEgiKJco6V5ZdFdQdVBhXHqkIRrKOYXDc1GWOxh38wYTf9_7SQIzC979FRpHl6eHj02OeRH33KQ2YnNnKsTLctm86PPAse5fnwJKwoHVdb1cdCrleu1D4Jxh6TKhe979c/s1600/RiveratRiskMap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4lR2EC6lm6SEgiKJco6V5ZdFdQdVBhXHqkIRrKOYXDc1GWOxh38wYTf9_7SQIzC979FRpHl6eHj02OeRH33KQ2YnNnKsTLctm86PPAse5fnwJKwoHVdb1cdCrleu1D4Jxh6TKhe979c/s320/RiveratRiskMap1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
2016 General Assembly Session kicked off last week in Richmond. The James River
Association is working hard to protect our river and watershed, but we need
your help! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Below are our key priorities for this session. Join our </span><a href="https://app.muster.com/84/supporter-registration/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Action Network</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> to stay
up-to-date and involved in the coming weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In order to
reach the James River Association’s goals for a fully healthy James River and
fulfill Virginia’s constitutional commitment to protect our waterways, we urge your
support of the following critical actions:</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>Support Water Quality and Land Conservation Funding</b><br />
Virginia has made significant investments in water quality and land conservation over the last two decades resulting in major pollution reductions and improvements to local water quality. In order to keep Virginia on track with meeting restoration goals for the James, continued investment is necessary. Therefore, we will be strongly supporting Water Quality and Land Conservation funding.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Support Proper Coal Ash Pond Closure (Senate
Bill 537)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
James River watershed is home to coal ash ponds capable of holding five billion
gallons of coal ash. Each pond in the watershed is bordering the river or one
of its tributaries. Coal ash, which is a waste product of the electricity
generation process, contains toxics such as arsenic, lead and mercury. Simply
capping coal ash ponds in place without a liner, as currently proposed, does
not stop the potential of groundwater contamination or pollution leaking in to
surface waters. Every North Carolina pond that has been tested has been shown
to be contaminating the surrounding groundwater. Despite this track record of
contamination, Virginia’s code does not require lining, capping and long-term
monitoring for these facilities. Senate Bill 537 would require that a liner be
installed which will stop the potential for groundwater contamination and provide
protection to Virginia’s waterways. The
bill also allows power generating companies to recover the costs for the safe
closure of coal ash ponds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Support Swifter Spill Notification (Senate
Bill 581 & House Bill 977)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Current law requires the
spill of a dangerous substance be reported within 24 hours to the Department of
Environmental Quality. We believe that this timeline leaves our waterways,
citizens and economy at risk. This bill accelerates that timeline to 12 hours which
we believe enhances public notification and better protects us all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Support Proper Menhaden Management (Senate
Bill 98 & House Bill 150)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Menhaden have been
called "the most important fish in the sea." Menhaden are both filter
feeders and a primary food source for striped bass (rockfish), bluefish,
sharks, ospreys, brown pelicans, and dolphin. Beyond its ecological importance,
the menhaden fishery is very important economically to the Commonwealth,
supporting hundreds of jobs. The menhaden fishery is also the only fishery in
the Commonwealth that is currently managed by the General Assembly – all others
are managed by experienced fishery professionals at the Virginia Marine
Resources Commission (VMRC).</span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We support
this bill because it </span><span style="border: 1pt none; color: #231f20; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">transfers management
of the menhaden fishery</span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> from the General Assembly to the fishery
professionals at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). </span></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-37109894382383426212016-01-06T10:36:00.001-08:002016-01-06T10:36:41.058-08:002015 was a huge success!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm9Gj4Dy39kms03OVBW_r6CV971FRVFw23qYv1hXCxYcve-6EU2m4t3O5csTmNpGGR9oD2XWeTZd8RCHVPfIWqDy-fEoqBlhlkBRlbsSZ5rkiKKV7zjP4TEBOCGlTtZaUWB-f9xRlK1k/s1600/3+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm9Gj4Dy39kms03OVBW_r6CV971FRVFw23qYv1hXCxYcve-6EU2m4t3O5csTmNpGGR9oD2XWeTZd8RCHVPfIWqDy-fEoqBlhlkBRlbsSZ5rkiKKV7zjP4TEBOCGlTtZaUWB-f9xRlK1k/s640/3+%25281%2529.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The James River had a great year in 2015. For the first time
in decades, the river’s health received a grade of B- in the State of the James
report. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the help of
our incredible volunteers. Thank you for your hard work and dedication last
year. We look forward to making 2016 the best year yet!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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If you are interested in volunteering, contact Ben Hawkins
at <a href="mailto:bhawkins@jrava.org">bhawkins@jrava.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-48243378540133130662015-12-16T14:25:00.000-08:002015-12-16T14:25:32.167-08:00Give the Gift of a Healthy River this Holiday Season<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEu3eXQfj2vUAYUJkAR3abTF18ZZ6GtjRTCTNawnj2OfwTkQBl28fmLWYDeASAcUZsJS8tUIC3wbkKuoFYlUR1o-74gZzdesJtTKnCO6zZoDe8wtyIGpoWdLdwNYM00l5NFUuhWZS2Dw/s1600/Fly+fishing+at+Wingina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEu3eXQfj2vUAYUJkAR3abTF18ZZ6GtjRTCTNawnj2OfwTkQBl28fmLWYDeASAcUZsJS8tUIC3wbkKuoFYlUR1o-74gZzdesJtTKnCO6zZoDe8wtyIGpoWdLdwNYM00l5NFUuhWZS2Dw/s320/Fly+fishing+at+Wingina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thinking of the perfect gift can
be a tough task during the holiday season. Here are a few gift ideas that also
benefit the James River Association. By giving these gifts, you are helping us
continue to reach toward our goal of a healthy James River.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.jrava.org/get-involved/become-a-member" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">James River
Association Membership </a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> - Members
also receive discounts of up to 20% at outfitters throughout the watershed.</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blanchardscoffee.com/collections/coffee/products/product-16" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">James
River Blend Coffee</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> from Blanchard’s Coffee – Clean water makes great
coffee. The James River Blend is a </span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="background: white; color: #090c0a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">perfect</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #090c0a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> coffee to
complement cool, crisp mornings on the river.</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hardywood.com/content/hardywood-great-return" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Great Return</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
from Hardywood Park Craft Brewery – This West Coast style IPA is a great gift
for beer lovers.</span></li>
<li><a href="https://tycoonoutfitters.com/james-river-rods/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tycoon Tackle fishing rod</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
– Custom built fly fishing and spinning rods specifically designed for fishing
the mighty James from a world renowned outfitter.</span></li>
<li><a href="https://richmondoutside.squarespace.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">James River art series</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> –
These posters, fine art prints, t-shirts and notecards are perfect for
Richmonders who love the James.</span></li>
<li><a href="http://smile.amazon.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Amazon Smile</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
– Use Amazon Smile when making your Amazon purchases. Make sure to designate
the James River Association as your charity of choice.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">For more gift ideas, visit our online </span><a href="http://www.jrava.org/about-jra/gift-shop" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Gift Shop</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. We hope you have
a happy holiday!</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-38398798492805715452015-12-02T09:11:00.001-08:002015-12-02T11:35:51.330-08:00Volunteering for the James<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmyNuHWvPzY_29Gh9BYt87OH1Eul4_yZegKUnWodGnR7GivtJkiZu5wf_yRrMM_PPsb0j4ImBommTk0Vo85u0EyyG1pZiXnI1atZN-CqGlNkStzN13WRmdEVXf8kR6wFUF8ySKml2akI/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmyNuHWvPzY_29Gh9BYt87OH1Eul4_yZegKUnWodGnR7GivtJkiZu5wf_yRrMM_PPsb0j4ImBommTk0Vo85u0EyyG1pZiXnI1atZN-CqGlNkStzN13WRmdEVXf8kR6wFUF8ySKml2akI/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are so thankful for our volunteers. P<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">eople just
like you give their precious time to help us create a cleaner, healthier
watershed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meet Jose Espinoza a 24 year old IT professional originally
from Stafford, VA. His love for the James led him to clean up trash in the
Richmond region, as well as translating river information to Spanish to bring
awareness to the Latino population.
Here’s what Jose had to say about his experience volunteering:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I moved to Richmond about 6 years ago to attend Virginia
Commonwealth University and graduated in 2013. Like many VCU students, I had my
first encounter with the James River by hanging out at Belle Isle. Every time I
went to the river, it gifted me and my friends with new experiences and great
quality time. Belle Isle brings so many people together but people also take it
for granted.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMCJSFZD_75KaysO84lFbzGJJfsPhIJTySr-MYtb3Y32Vgn_rN5Ztju56RFINC4O15GIe28QmZoHjzltFXZ45wwsymz1CFPdGt-abJs-3FMx1m3hX0NO5_blTzBoGVH1fksA8mxsVxL4/s1600/image1+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMCJSFZD_75KaysO84lFbzGJJfsPhIJTySr-MYtb3Y32Vgn_rN5Ztju56RFINC4O15GIe28QmZoHjzltFXZ45wwsymz1CFPdGt-abJs-3FMx1m3hX0NO5_blTzBoGVH1fksA8mxsVxL4/s320/image1+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After seeing so many people at Belle Isle throw trash on the
ground and sometimes in the river, I decided to do something about it. I
initially reached out to James River Association to volunteer in their </span><a href="http://jrava.org/get-involved/volunteer/self-directed-trash-cleanup" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">self-directed
trash cleanup program</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and have picked up trash along the Pipeline Trail.
The James River Association also tapped into my cultural background to help
them bring river awareness to the growing Latino population in the Richmond
area. I helped them in translating pamphlets and newsletter that will educate
Spanish speakers about the conservation of natural resources, good habits for
the river and even volunteering opportunities. I really enjoyed this aspect of
my volunteering experience because it helped the organization reach a different
audience they wouldn’t have reached without my help</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would highly encourage Richmond residents to volunteer
with the James River Association because it feels good to give back to the
river that has given so much to you in one way or another.</span></blockquote>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are interested in volunteering, contact Ben Hawkins,
Volunteer Coordinator, at <a href="mailto:bhawkins@jrava.org">bhawkins@jrava.org</a>. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-75610144420236575922015-11-25T07:10:00.006-08:002015-11-25T07:12:40.186-08:00Thank You<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQRHB5s2GYwGpYbo5iJc0QhB_DY0dcSI-aVqeVDFnr8K9Gz0HzQvzEhH7tf_L-asTMSfUVS3E1oRTEuz3uuuGnn0ogKA9p-0pFtaeJK2NkRfX5CzIBvQz9Dmyyv982_GKcyqOSf_wrPo/s1600/IMG_1650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQRHB5s2GYwGpYbo5iJc0QhB_DY0dcSI-aVqeVDFnr8K9Gz0HzQvzEhH7tf_L-asTMSfUVS3E1oRTEuz3uuuGnn0ogKA9p-0pFtaeJK2NkRfX5CzIBvQz9Dmyyv982_GKcyqOSf_wrPo/s320/IMG_1650.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On this Thanksgiving, the James River
Association wants to express our gratitude to all of our members and
supporters. We couldn’t carry out our mission to protect and
restore the health of the James River without…</span><br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMMqVImd95R7sKcVe6ndQT8yr6_6bIoxSNXnWgQJ048cH8jIE6ziHWRc0GuPTrVsI5eX_-Ds7tzDxO7V-A7zY3ydWoJwQdumbPtPMZGzVN82-OWX3Xmkef7wbjrM7TAxggKgy4a73C0w/s1600/DSC_5441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMMqVImd95R7sKcVe6ndQT8yr6_6bIoxSNXnWgQJ048cH8jIE6ziHWRc0GuPTrVsI5eX_-Ds7tzDxO7V-A7zY3ydWoJwQdumbPtPMZGzVN82-OWX3Xmkef7wbjrM7TAxggKgy4a73C0w/s320/DSC_5441.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX2yhXCezU4_dG-H9AHN5iztnnBDV0YzYWikt81sXrezHk0TEsD1JVCps1_bzhZA04XZ5u0waiDZEbxb4NHiIfBpY8Ec9ydcccfT7Sdhgmbnw0Y3s9sNzMH2B1wACGNPbAQr0iH7JTSs/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="background: #ffffff; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.07in; margin-top: 0.07in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>
<span style="font-size: small;">Our
volunteers throughout Virginia who generously donate their time to
help better the watershed. This past year you have helped plant over
1,700 trees and collect over 15,000 pounds of trash.</span></span>
</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="background: #ffffff; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.07in; margin-top: 0.07in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">RiverRats
who patrol over 800 miles of the James and its tributaries. These
dedicated volunteers keep watch over the river and complete action
projects that better their communities and the health of their
waterways. </span>
</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="background: #ffffff; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.07in; margin-top: 0.07in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
members of our Action Network who make their opinions heard and
strengthen our voice, the voice for the river. And the River Hero
Homes who proudly take action to reduce pollution at home.<br /> </span>
</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="background: #ffffff; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.07in; margin-top: 0.07in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our
members who help provide education programs for students at the
James River Ecology School, who support our events celebrating the
river, and who helped us reach a score of B- in the 2015 State of
the James report. </span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your dedication to the James has
strengthened this organization. We couldn’t do the work we do
without people like you.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX2yhXCezU4_dG-H9AHN5iztnnBDV0YzYWikt81sXrezHk0TEsD1JVCps1_bzhZA04XZ5u0waiDZEbxb4NHiIfBpY8Ec9ydcccfT7Sdhgmbnw0Y3s9sNzMH2B1wACGNPbAQr0iH7JTSs/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX2yhXCezU4_dG-H9AHN5iztnnBDV0YzYWikt81sXrezHk0TEsD1JVCps1_bzhZA04XZ5u0waiDZEbxb4NHiIfBpY8Ec9ydcccfT7Sdhgmbnw0Y3s9sNzMH2B1wACGNPbAQr0iH7JTSs/s320/IMG_1833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we look back on 2015, we are proud
of the accomplishments and the progress we have made over the past
year. The James River Association thanks you. And more importantly,
the river thanks you.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-40633523245094521112015-11-11T06:35:00.000-08:002015-11-11T06:35:51.347-08:00Volunteering for the James<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPTgsKcQxVVnaCz-HGHaLHQww7ofcz-tECMLXc_2IGvj3Nf7QJuYaszkLNmgOY528bgdult1ocdBGwK9tjCEBGheKRI3frJfdWKU366heQe8KuLtJS4cyB2NrvkK6g7t7GEWn-OXBzVI/s1600/20151023_130307_resized_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPTgsKcQxVVnaCz-HGHaLHQww7ofcz-tECMLXc_2IGvj3Nf7QJuYaszkLNmgOY528bgdult1ocdBGwK9tjCEBGheKRI3frJfdWKU366heQe8KuLtJS4cyB2NrvkK6g7t7GEWn-OXBzVI/s320/20151023_130307_resized_1.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We love our <a href="http://www.jrava.org/get-involved/volunteer/riverrats">RiverRat</a> volunteers! They act as the James River’s first line of citizen
defense by assisting our <a href="http://www.jrava.org/what-we-do/river-keepers">Riverkeepers</a> as the eyes and ears of the river and its tributaries. RiverRats
come from all over the watershed, are all ages and have many different
backgrounds. You don’t need to be a scientist or skilled paddler to become a
RiverRat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet Fred Kelly and Will Maddox,
Lower James RiverRats. Fred is a retired mental health professional who
currently lives in Dinwiddie County. His family has owned a cabin on the James
River for five generations. This is where his father taught him to paddle and
introduced him to the joys of being on the river. However, it was at that time
a river in trouble. In those days the James was a dumping ground and it was not
uncommon to find the shore lined with dead fish due to this pollution. There
were fewer ducks, geese, osprey and virtually no eagles.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCVKzCvG8w_80VSU613LK0Ylh-wq28r7_AnUQrexnoTvLnnY31mFs43Lo8uPyvYZ2pU_6ubbSvuUZ_24Zn2tQjyae8isTFZh3zBXh8oc6kZPN_Kj6f5BcBmKBlcLzcpeKjBdssKBbJhk/s1600/20151023_131815_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCVKzCvG8w_80VSU613LK0Ylh-wq28r7_AnUQrexnoTvLnnY31mFs43Lo8uPyvYZ2pU_6ubbSvuUZ_24Zn2tQjyae8isTFZh3zBXh8oc6kZPN_Kj6f5BcBmKBlcLzcpeKjBdssKBbJhk/s320/20151023_131815_resized.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to the Clean Water Act and the efforts of local
organizations like the James River Association, the river and its wildlife have
bounced back. It is once again a place for recreation and creating memories.
Fred shares his experiences on the James with his grandson Will. Fred says
“Becoming a River Rat has greatly enhanced my enjoyment of being on the river
by allowing me to become a protector of it as well. I only wish that I could
have been doing this since I began paddling in the mid 1950s. I am especially
pleased that my 15 year old grandson, Will, who took the River Rat training
with me, will be in place to continue monitoring the river that he has grown to
love long after I am no longer able to do so. I strongly encourage anyone who
enjoys being on the river to get the training for becoming a River Rat. This is
an opportunity that has been a long time coming. Don't miss it. Your river
needs you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is what Fred had to say about his first RiverRat
patrol with his grandson this past October: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9gJ8WyN8L2itInqPbPLVf9zCHA9AXVq1v3RVaa2RLmJ2uf6K70Q3im-MHg0rH6wDqekR-6gHziBEgukz8Mmw-O0iLOW0GfQR_i0F3iEk8mjMB0RYVZawfzUfPN2mi2LkgmcwG888zW0/s1600/20151023_130107_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9gJ8WyN8L2itInqPbPLVf9zCHA9AXVq1v3RVaa2RLmJ2uf6K70Q3im-MHg0rH6wDqekR-6gHziBEgukz8Mmw-O0iLOW0GfQR_i0F3iEk8mjMB0RYVZawfzUfPN2mi2LkgmcwG888zW0/s320/20151023_130107_resized.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will and I have been paddling the James all of our lives and feel
a need to preserve and protect this beautiful river. So when we heard about the
River Rat program we were excited to get involved.<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On October 23<sup>rd</sup>, we went on our first official River
Rat patrol with the mission of shore clean-up. Hurricane Joaquin had produced
flooding which carried lots of plastic, glass and other debris onto the
shoreline. Our goal was to begin dealing with this problem by cleaning the
shore on Tar Bay, part of our designated patrol area. After gathering and
bagging trash from about 100 yards of shoreline, we headed out in our boat to
collect a very large piece of debris that a previous storm had deposited on a
tree nearby. It had been an eye-sore for months and we had talked about
removing it all summer. This was the day. How good it was to see that pink,
plastic car in our boat rather than on that tree! <span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuLUruxpo3FBSHFMc1vgEe1vSUZEbiwAd3zljUTY8iEnem1-WBAtdscBvkq9GF_6njze0yaXRCY_yaGKRpL6alcdSSI_OgHF09ZrHe-7L-4Isx4-2LYoelwTeaXVRkAzNT4NnePfId1s/s1600/20151023_135533%25280%2529_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuLUruxpo3FBSHFMc1vgEe1vSUZEbiwAd3zljUTY8iEnem1-WBAtdscBvkq9GF_6njze0yaXRCY_yaGKRpL6alcdSSI_OgHF09ZrHe-7L-4Isx4-2LYoelwTeaXVRkAzNT4NnePfId1s/s320/20151023_135533%25280%2529_resized.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, we decided to make a run around Coggins Point and up Powells
Creek to check out its status after the hurricane. Powells Creek is beautiful
any time of year with its mixture of hardwoods and marsh but this day was
exceptional. We motored up about a mile or more into an area where few people
venture and stopped to take pictures. The first thing Will spotted as he
stepped out of the boat was a very lively crayfish. He had learned earlier this
year while on a <a href="http://www.jamesriverassociation.org/expedition">James
River Expedition</a> that crayfish are a good indicator
of pollution-free water. So we are happy to report the good water conditions in
that part of the creek. We also found no trash to clean up. How lucky we are to
have such a pristine area to enjoy, and now, to help watch over.<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Assisting the RiverKeepers on the James makes a recreational
outing on the river very gratifying. It lets us give back to the river that has
always given us so much pleasure.<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Need another excuse to get out on
the water? Want to make a difference while enjoying your time outdoors? Email
Ben Hawkins at <a href="mailto:bhawkins@jrava.org">bhawkins@jrava.org</a> to learn more about the <a href="http://www.jrava.org/get-involved/volunteer/riverrats">RiverRats</a> program or other volunteer opportunities. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-49940256071674442792015-11-04T07:44:00.000-08:002015-11-04T07:44:02.497-08:00Clean water means good fishing in the James<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaJyW-kaJCKYEDjsVNDKgaMpE-YK6MFQoVvs1IG6AEiL-olo87jcIY_VoLNbW93Kl2GJ27bf9WNL1opCaTfrOpANO0pbw0VWqYOEygpDsFfDOQdoLU2GKDv6riGhj_5HQBJYytVT33W0/s1600/james-river-fly-rod-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaJyW-kaJCKYEDjsVNDKgaMpE-YK6MFQoVvs1IG6AEiL-olo87jcIY_VoLNbW93Kl2GJ27bf9WNL1opCaTfrOpANO0pbw0VWqYOEygpDsFfDOQdoLU2GKDv6riGhj_5HQBJYytVT33W0/s320/james-river-fly-rod-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tim O’Brien, president of </span><a href="https://tycoonoutfitters.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tycoon Tackle, Inc.,</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> has a passion for
the waters he fishes. And he fishes a lot. After all, he came by his passion as
honestly as a fisherman could- through his father. In 1935, Frank O’Brien
founded Tycoon Tackle in Miami, gear for the era’s renowned sportsmen; sportsmen
like Zane Grey and Ernest Hemingway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“My dad just happened to come on the scene about that time
and he developed these fishing rods that…were not breaking, and they started
catching these giant fish,” Tim O’Brien said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frank O’Brien’s passion was startlingly interrupted in World
War II, forcing the company to retool production to stay in business. Making
fishing gear took a backseat to making aircraft landing gear. The company
resumed making fishing gear after the war with a steady decline over the years due
to the advent of mass produced fishing rods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> All that changed
close to a decade ago when Tim O’Brien led the rebirth of a once legendary
tackle company producing bamboo, glass and graphite fly rods, and spinning and
trolling rods. Armed with a sincere love of the sport and a doctoral degree in
fisheries policy from Virginia Commonwealth University, O’Brien is poised to bring
history to life. And his goal is to support organizations as passionate as he
is about clean water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviB-2z6qCJCyNlelMl12vMT0ro0HW6WywfLPu3qItnsL5ZUI3nD0udhV1ytDgf6qMveSxMxh2SkRuq3zDb0InfxAcGB78ZKClJrWIfgvxAeqWrlkuJEX-raksmxwVrbLeFCkcx5IPXR4/s1600/Fly+fishing+at+Wingina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviB-2z6qCJCyNlelMl12vMT0ro0HW6WywfLPu3qItnsL5ZUI3nD0udhV1ytDgf6qMveSxMxh2SkRuq3zDb0InfxAcGB78ZKClJrWIfgvxAeqWrlkuJEX-raksmxwVrbLeFCkcx5IPXR4/s320/Fly+fishing+at+Wingina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2014 Tim O’Brien and Pat Calvert, the Upper James
RiverKeeper for the James River Association decided to collaborate on a series
of <a href="https://tycoonoutfitters.com/james-river-rods/">James River rods</a>
that would benefit the mission of preserving and protecting the health of
America’s Founding River. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Any business that relies on healthy, clean water is a good
business in our opinion,” Calvert said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This October we are proud to see the release of four rods,
two spinning rods and two fly rods, specifically designed for use in the
historic James River. Proceeds from each sale benefit our mission to preserve
and protect the river for future generations. The rods will be custom, built-to-order,
co-branded and appropriate for fishing sections of the James River. They will
be available online at <a href="https://tycoonoutfitters.com/james-river-rods/">Tycoon
Tackle</a> and in finer outfitters throughout the watershed.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-72868124095446937212015-10-20T12:06:00.001-07:002015-10-20T12:06:51.228-07:00James RiverRats Raft-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnmNujHIEUuorD27zVQXMmExyQ3ELGypzD_rxkQPnIVJvm2b3bgOCXB6ysOsMdk75OYrGJFWVW11AtB3Gw7pfZXlYsv8ASgWtfYh4R5lS9s4pcVwXmy60RFNQf8FGczYExS9t6LNumhg/s1600/Raftup+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnmNujHIEUuorD27zVQXMmExyQ3ELGypzD_rxkQPnIVJvm2b3bgOCXB6ysOsMdk75OYrGJFWVW11AtB3Gw7pfZXlYsv8ASgWtfYh4R5lS9s4pcVwXmy60RFNQf8FGczYExS9t6LNumhg/s320/Raftup+2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">During the weekend of
October 17<sup>th</sup> thirty of our most dedicated volunteers, our </span><a href="http://www.jrava.org/get-involved/volunteer/riverrats">River Rats</a><span style="color: #222222;">, met for the 5th annual RiverRats Raft-Up. This year’s Raft-Up
was held in Scottsville, VA at the James River Inn on a 300-foot bluff
overlooking the James and the vast watershed that RiverRats have been
patrolling and protecting since 2011. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our keynote speaker,
Dr. Sarah Milov professor of History at the University of Virginia, kicked off
the day with an inspiring talk about the power of grassroots activism,
specifically drawing parallels between the non-smoker campaign for clean public
air and our fight for a pristine natural resource and clean drinking water.
Next, during a two-hour workshop on Patrols and Action Project planning, James
River Association staff and RiverRats worked to calibrate our efforts and
define strategies which will be implemented over the next year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two major strategies,
and several minor adjustments, will be immediately undertaken. First, data from
patrols, of which there are approximately 20 per month, will be more
consistently reported, publicly and to other RiverRats, via monthly email
updates and an interactive GoogleMap. Secondly, we will work to leverage
existing technologies to streamline reporting and to expand patrols. We are
working to utilize a GPS-enabled smartphone app called WaterReporter and we are
considering the development of online RiverRat trainings to accommodate conservationists
who may not be able to attend one of our four trainings held throughout the
watershed each year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXmpaMs8Ln4PxUdAZfBy5_tCLdPPBfudoCHlcWS6t5pDmJzxQmss95xbc-cXLRR8Pplm-ArLMdDD_3k-AvXhuQYXlrUell8ZVDgkkKBLWYv2WyWbsiGJh4driiHFTL1aCr-7HtAo9fG0/s1600/Raft+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXmpaMs8Ln4PxUdAZfBy5_tCLdPPBfudoCHlcWS6t5pDmJzxQmss95xbc-cXLRR8Pplm-ArLMdDD_3k-AvXhuQYXlrUell8ZVDgkkKBLWYv2WyWbsiGJh4driiHFTL1aCr-7HtAo9fG0/s320/Raft+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the strategy
session, it was time to enjoy our world-class natural resource by paddling the
Mighty James, award our outstanding RiverRats of the year, and finally to relax
to the soothing, mountain sounds of the Rockfish Gap Band. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">If you are interested
in becoming a River Rat to keep watch over the James, the Raft-Up is one of
many perks. You also have an opportunity to spend time paddling and protecting
the river you love. Consider attending one of our upcoming </span><a href="http://www.jrava.org/get-involved/volunteer/riverrats">trainings</a></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.
If you are already a River Rat, we sincerely thank you for your commitment to
protecting the James River now and for future generations. </span></span></div>
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James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816916345765242062.post-30160315053141484802015-10-06T03:30:00.000-07:002015-10-06T03:30:01.305-07:00Volunteering for the James<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHszenDi_Rj_BTQxNrkl6NfEnmxmaLRHkT-Z94s1BtGKpqjjiYi8jNDutgEGR3SI8Q_IIwxfUFWgllsXYbMmDHuLL6nPmY6i5Aw05MYTD9gVR6gUOD0SW912l8aSt9L53lo_gUO8b3As/s1600/October+2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHszenDi_Rj_BTQxNrkl6NfEnmxmaLRHkT-Z94s1BtGKpqjjiYi8jNDutgEGR3SI8Q_IIwxfUFWgllsXYbMmDHuLL6nPmY6i5Aw05MYTD9gVR6gUOD0SW912l8aSt9L53lo_gUO8b3As/s1600/October+2015.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James River Association volunteers come in all shapes and
sizes. They live all over the watershed, have many different skills and can be
any age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet our October Volunteer of the Month, Kiersten Hines.
She’s a 13 year old Richmonder who has a passion for learning new things,
playing the saxophone, volunteering and of course spending time on the James. She
likes to hike the trails along the river with her dogs and go swimming with her
family. Kiersten took on a research project related to the <a href="http://riveratrisk.org/">Our River at Risk</a> advocacy campaign. Here’s
what she had to say about her experience:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My task was to research and
inventory all of the Surface Water Discharges in the James River from 1988 to
2003 using data from the Environmental Protection Agency. I chose to volunteer
because I think that the environment has provided us with so much – like food,
shelter and peace – so it is only fair to give back. Saving the James is a
cause I believe in, and I’m not surprised that so many other people do too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would encourage other people to
volunteer because there is nothing more rewarding than putting time and effort
into a cause you care deeply for. You could climb the highest mountain or swim
the deepest sea and still not feel the happiness that you could experience
working with your community to make this giant mass of dirt, water, minerals
and organisms a more enjoyable place to live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone should give volunteering a
chance!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you interested in volunteering for the James? There are
all sorts of opportunities for you to get involved from planting trees, to
research projects, to event volunteers and more. Sign up <a href="http://www.jrava.org/get-involved/volunteer-center">here</a> to get
involved today! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
James River Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08217316744132705160noreply@blogger.com0