James River Association needs volunteers to combat stormwater runoff in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The James River Association (JRA) is hosting its Green Infrastructure Stewards Volunteer event in hopes of combating stormwater runoff in the Richmond area.

The program is under the umbrella of JRA’s "Greening Richmond Public Libraries" initiative, which was launched back in 2019. The steward's program itself was launched in 2024.

The stewards are volunteers who help plant trees and curate green spaces surrounding the city's public libraries. These green spaces include gardens, among other public areas.

Katy Riley, the Community Conservation manager for the JRA, said the greenery in these spaces helps prevent stormwater runoff -- and the pollutants within it -- from getting into the James River.

Notable pollutants she named included pet waste, rocks, sediment, pesticides and road salt used to treat roads during snowstorms.

The program includes eight of the nine libraries within Richmond’s public library system, those being the Ginter Park, East End, West End, Belmont, Broad Rock, North Avenue, Westover Hills and Hull Street libraries.

If you'd like to participate in the Green Infrastructure Stewards Volunteer event, you can do so either on Friday, March 27 or on Friday, April 22.

The JRA plans to host the events throughout the summer, weather permitting. The organization is even providing certifications for those interested.