Projects

RCS projects are supported and implemented by the RCS members and staff.

Rivanna River Buffer Initiative – RCS has a long and distinguished history planting trees throughout the watershed. This stands as a proven, effective conservation measure at keeping sedimentation and pollution associated with stormwater runoff out of the river. The most recent buffer project was held in March of 2009 at the Glenmore Country Club. This was the largest buffer project to date in Albemarle County, with more than 15 acres of land and more than 2,200 trees planted.

Rivanna River Clean Ups – RCS conducts the annual Rivanna River Clean Up each fall. This cleanup spans the full length of the river (about 50 miles) from the headwaters in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the confluence with the James River at Columbia, VA. Mini cleanups also take place throughout the watershed, with a number of groups and companies providing volunteers. Between September of 2008 and May of 2009 RCS and its many partners cleaned up more than 100 miles of stream, collected more than 375 bags of trash and recycled more than 1000 pounds of collected metal and steel.

Rivanna River Paddles and Sojourns – RCS and its partner Blue Ridge Mountain Sports host the annual Rivanna River Sojourn with cooperation by Fluvanna County Department of Parks and Recreation. This event, held in April of each year, offers novice and experienced paddlers with the opportunity to traverse the beautiful Rivanna River with family and friends (or soon to be friends). The Sojourn generally launches from Milton/Shadwell and ends in Palmyra at the Pleasant Grove Heritage Trail Park. In 2009 the Oakland School and the STAR program participants joined the other Sojourners for a wonderful 16 mile paddle.

Rivanna River Scenic Designation – RCS was instrumental in securing the Scenic River Designation from the Virginia General Assembly for the Woolen Mills segment of the Rivanna. Working with a host of local organizations and government groups, RCS helped to develop the enabling legislation, communicated with appropriate members of the General Assembly and worked with other groups to secure passage of the designation and gubernatorial approval. This 2009 designation completes the work initiated by Minnie Lee McGehee who set out to have the entire Rivanna designated as Scenic River. Ms. McGehee and her many colleagues were able to secure Scenic River Designations for the majority of the Rivanna River segments in 1975 and again in 1988.

Stormwater Code and Ordinance Review Project – RCS has been working with the University of Virginia’s Environmental and Conservation Law Clinic and the Southern Environmental Law Center to analyze the stormwater codes and ordinances from the four primary watershed communities (City of Charlottesville, Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna and Greene). Our review team has developed specific recommendations for each locality and is currently working to assure implementation of these recommendations. These recommendations can be viewed here (7Mb PPT).

Teacher Watershed Summit – RCS annually hosts the Rivanna Teachers Watershed Summit. More than 200 educators have participated in these Summits, with a student outreach of nearly 4,000 young people. Speakers have included Sally Thomas (Chair of the Rivanna River Basin Commission and a member of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors), Ridge Schuyler (formerly of The Nature Conservancy and now working for Cong. Tom Perriello), Tom Frederick (Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority), Jeff Hantmam (UVA Dept. of Anthropology), Mark Graham (County of Albemarle) , Ann Regn (VA DEQ), Chuck Pace (Educator– County of Albemarle Public Schools), Martin Johnson (Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District), Kristel Riddervold (City of Charlottesville), Public Works), Jay Willer (Executive Vice President, Blue Ridge Home Builders Association), Pat Calvert and Allan Thomas (Chesapeake Bay Foundation), Greg Harper (County of Albemarle), Eileen Merritt and Andrea Trank (area educators), and many more.

Woolen Mills Dam Breach – RCS volunteers created a Restoration Committee that worked for more than 7 years to secure government permits, fiscal support and ultimately contracted for the breaching of the Woolen Mills Dam. The dam breech was made possible by the generous support of the Thach Family, owners of the Woolen Mills Dam. The final breech took place in August of 2007, with water quality monitoring continuing to ascertain the impact of the breech on water quality, aquatic habitat and the American Shad.

World Water Monitoring Day – RCS is the regional sponsor of World Water Monitoring Day. This global event was created by the RCS Executive Director in her former position in Washington DC. Participants monitor for pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity (clarity). The results of the water quality monitoring are uploaded into the international data base and are used by RCS to document “citizen scientists” monitoring samples.

Youth Environmental Education Programs – RCS has a rich and expansive program of youth education programs, including partnerships with the Oakland School, TeensGIVE, the Boys Scouts and the Girl Scouts, 4-H and a number of other student education groups. RCS provides in class training, on site education, instream water quality analysis, along with chemical and biological in-stream assessments.

Youth Watershed Summit – In 2008 RCS hosted its first Youth Watershed Summit, inviting young people from across the watershed to gather at Meadow Creek for a half day program. Specific activities included chemical and biological water quality monitoring, tree ring analysis, Enviro-scape training and an environmental scavenger hunt. RCS intends to continue this program in the years to come.