From Lynchburg to Newport News, hundreds of volunteers pitched in to clean up the James and herald in the beginning of James River Week, a celebration of the many faces of the waterway.
And there’s still time to get your family involved, with events like a canoe paddle, camp-out, and an outdoor film screening at sundown.
The 20th annual James River Regional Cleanup was responsible for collecting 753 bags of trash and 70 bags of recyclable items from more than a dozen locations along the James, reports event organizer James River Advisory Council (JRAC).
Almost 800 volunteers, dozens of whom took to the water in canoes, kayaks, and powerboats, plucked debris and trash from the riverbanks and nearby roadways.
This year’s event was a win thanks to the many individuals who participated, said JRAC Executive Director Kimberly Conley in a statement. “We’re tremendously grateful to the volunteers, partners, and sponsors who made our 20th annual cleanup a success. Their dedication year after year is truly inspiring and amazing.”
The cleanup marked the start of James River Week, an event-packed salute to the species, landscape, art, and culture of the waterway. Remaining activities and exhibits include:
●All week: James River Art Exhibit- RVA River Pix
●Sept. 18: Films on the Canal Walk
●Sept. 19: Atlantic Sturgeon Canoe Programs
●Sept. 20: Spirit of the James outing
●Sept. 20-21: Maymont Nature Center Family Camp-Out
●Sept. 20-21: Henricus Historical Park Publick Days
Click here for more James River Week details.
–Laura Adams Boycourt
