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2020 River Management SymposiumRiver/Field Sessions - Wednesday, May 13th

You have an impressive list of choices as you complement your classroom training. The Mountain Creeks to Metro Canals  field sessions offer half and full day workshops that will give you new learning and skills to take home.  Please indicate your field session preference on the Registration Form, as space may be limited.

Rafting the Downtown James

Rafting Trip on the Downtown James - Half Day trips, 9:00am - 12:00pm, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Richmond is the only city in the United States with a class IV whitewater run right thru downtown. Surrounded by the James River Park System, this unique river environment has a rich history, abundant wildlife, challenging rapids, and city skyline as its backdrop. We will float the falls of the James while looking at some of the unique challenges that face this urban playground. Come enjoy the excitement of urban whitewater and the serenity of local wildlife. Minimum 8 participants.

Historic BateauBatteau - Full Day
Step back in time to explore a beautiful section of the Piedmont James River in an authentic James River Batteau! These wooden vessels transported tobacco and trade goods up and down the James River and its tributaries between the late 1700’s and the advent of the railroad. These shallow-draft, open wooden boats were carefully crafted to carry goods up and down the river year-round. This eight mile trip will explore the section between the Hardware River State Wildlife Management Area and Bremo Bluff. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the upper James, including the storied Seven Islands rapids, high rocky bluffs and many rich historic artifacts from the batteau and canal periods. Sites of historic interest include the Hardware River aqueduct, the remains of Seven Islands dam, batteau sluices and the Bremo Power Station. This will be a full day trip that will require water shoes, sun protection and a swimsuit. This workshop requires a $25 fee at registration. Minimum 10 participants.

James River Restoration River Trip - Half Day trips 9:00am - 12:00pm

Follow in the footsteps of Captain John Smith as you explore America's Founding River aboard the James River Association's 40 ft motorized education and water monitoring vessel. This down-and-back half day tour focused on the human and natural history of the Lower James River departs from Rockett's Landing in Richmond and travels downstream to the James River Ecology School at Presquile National Wildlife Refuge and the coal-fired power station and Dutch Gap. This section is known for its high abundance of bald eagles, osprey, giant catfish, and endangered Atlantic sturgeon. Eagles are commonly seen and at this time of year, we may even be lucky enough to see a giant sturgeon breaching. Experts from the James River Association and scientist from Virginia Commonwealth University will share their expertise on the ecology and management challenges along this section of the river including efforts to restore Atlantic Sturgeon, and Bald Eagles, challenges posed by invasive predatory fish like the Blue Catfish, the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and managing nutrient pollution in this major tributary of the bay, and managing risks associated with coal ash byproducts of power generation.

Virginia Capital Trail Bike Ride - Half Day (9:00am - 12:00pm)

The Virginia Capital trial connects Colony of Virginia's first capital, Williamsburg to its current capital in Richmond. This dedicated Cycling and pedestrian path is a excellent way to explore the historic region. The trail parallels the James River as it passes by plantations, Civil war battle fields, wildlife management areas and even the original James town settlement. This short 12 mile ride will highlight some of most scenic portions of the trail. We will end a Upper Shirley Vineyards where we can celebrate the day by the river. Members of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation will join us to discuss how their successful public-private partnership developed the project. Minimum 10 participants.

Civil War History on James River bridgeRiverfront Walking Tour - Half Day (1:00pm - 4:00pm)

National Park Service colleagues will lead a riverfront tour called “Cannon Balls and Climbing Walls” with 20-30 minute talks about the historic Tredegar Iron Works;  Urban Initiative with partners from programs offered to first and fourth graders; James River Parks, including a walk across the Potterfield Bridge to see climbing wall and lessons learned while developing way finding signage; and Venture Richmond and the Brown's Island Master Plan.

Visual Resource Management Workshop - Full day (open to all, required for VRM Workshop completion)

Federally approved upgrades to America's power grid network, including new transmission corridors, and rampant development pressures have resulted in an ever-increasing range of conflicts with scenic resources. This day long field trip will go to a scenically significant site along a Virginia Scenic River. Participants will be able to experience a protocol for visual assessment and visual impacts that is used to address Federally mandated assessments and discuss local implications for mitigation and avoidance.  This workshop requires a $25 fee at registration.

Universal Access/Water Trail Workshop - Full Day

Field day of 2 session training on planning of successful river access ramps for hand carried water craft. Participants will visit river access points along the James River and apply the access evaluation framework as well as learn about project specific funding, design and constructions.

Collecting data from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, photo by James VoneshGIS/Drone Mapping Course - Full Day
This hands-on workshop includes an introductory drone flying lesson and will teach participants how to collect aerial photography and create geospatial products and maps with images taken from drones. You'll also visit a GIS lab for a session on georeferencing images and flight planning. The workshop will provide instruction using both multirotor and fixed-wing aircraft for data collection and ESRI's Drone2Map for processing and integration with online maps. This workshop requires a $115 fee at registration. Minimum 10 participants.

VA Scenic River Evaluation - Full Day

During the full day trip participants will conduct a field evaluation on a section of the Chickahominy River, a part of the Captain John Smith Trail. Participants will use the VA Scenic River Evaluation Criteria and protocols. Minimum 8 participants.The full day will be to conduct a field evaluation of a section of the Chickahominy River using VA Scenic River Criteria and protocols.


Regional Renewals & Waterfronts - Half Day, Afternoon

Visit Hopewell, a small city revitalizing around the Appomattox and James Rivers. City staff and nonprofit partners will tell the story of an industrial past transforming to a thriving future focused around outdoor adventures and the vision for a 20 mile Appomattox River Trail. We will learn as we paddle the flatwater of the Appomattox River, trace the footsteps of Civil War Soldiers at the City Point National Park, and wander Downtown Hopewell topping off the day during Happy Hour at The Boathouse Restaurant overlooking the Appomattox. We will meet with planners, parks & recreation professionals, the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River, NPS staff and the Hopewell Downtown Partnership on our journey. This video shares the story of the City's effort to repair the river and restore its connection to the community. 

Note: If a trip signup does meet its minimum and we feel we need to cancel, we will reach out to for  your second choice.  If you've paid for a trip that cancels, we'll issue a credit Thursday, May 14th at the registration desk.