On a clear and mercifully not-too-hot Wednesday morning, the James River Association (JRA) celebrated the grand opening of the James A. Buzzard River Education Center along Richmond’s riverfront, surrounded by the recently opened Dock Street Park.
The Center will serve as an environmental education hub for students from schools in Greater Richmond. It also offers improved river access to the community around it.
“The James A. Buzzard River Education Center embodies our dedication to achieving a fully healthy James River and helping communities benefit from the river,” said Bill Street, President and CEO of JRA. “By offering hands-on learning experiences, we are empowering the next generation of citizen leaders to understand and conserve our precious river ecosystem.”
Street says this Education Center is part of JRA’s strategic mission to serve communities from the big river’s source to its mouth. It’s the second of three new river centers, part of the association’s James Changer Campaign. Upper James River Center in Lynchburg opened in 2023 and future improvements are being made to the Lower James River Center in Williamsburg. JRA also offers school and public trips at its original education facility, the James River Ecology School, downriver on the Presqu’ile National Wildlife Refuge.
JRA offers hands-on environmental education programs for students, teachers, and the public across the full length of the James, including 20,000 students since this time last summer.
JRA’s educators integrate the experiences they offer with the specific learning objectives of participating students. “The opening of the James A. Buzzard River Education Center is the culmination of a years-long dream to provide an area where the students of Greater Richmond can have meaningful river experiences while also learning critical academic lessons,” said Shawn Ralston, Vice President of Programs for JRA.
Already in action with new summer programs, the new Center offers indoor labs, a “riverquarium”, and sheltered outdoor classrooms beside the tidal James, in the surrounding Dock Street Park, and in the woods on adjoining Chapel Island. The center’s indoor facilities make it possible to run programs throughout the year and during bad weather. The Center also provides opportunities for JRA’s volunteer programs.
The River Education Center includes environmental features like a green roof, living walls, native landscaping, and a permeable bus loop/driveway, as JRA walks the walk with its community conservation initiatives. In the process, JRA rerouted the Virginia Capital Trail off Dock Street, together with the Capital Region Land Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, and the City of Richmond to permanently protect the “view that named Richmond.” JRA is also working with the City’s James River Park System to add a canoe and kayak launch to the 400-foot dock located at Dock Street Park.
The Grand Opening event featured a ribbon cutting ceremony, tours of the facility, and speeches from officials including U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Virginia Delegate Rae Cousins, City Councilmember Cynthia Newbille, and Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis Voyles.
“One of my favorite things about living in Richmond is how easy it is to enjoy the James River. I’m thrilled that the James A. Buzzard River Education Center is opening to provide the Richmond community and its visitors with a place to learn about and experience the river’s rich history and ecosystems,” said Senator Kaine.
