Launch in sit-on-top kayaks to explore and learn about the intriguing landscape at the Dutch Gap Conservation Area.
Field Trips — Wednesday, April 27
A. Dutch Gap Kayak Tour
| Wednesday, April 27, 2022 | 12:30 – 3:30pm | Limit 15 |
Description: Launch in sit-on-top kayaks to explore and learn about the intriguing landscape at the Dutch Gap Conservation Area. Discover how the Tidal Lagoon was formed, how the land has changed, and how the area serves as critical habitat for wildlife and as a backdrop for the county’s interpretive kayak tours. The site has been recognized as part of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, an Important Bird Area, and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails network.
Trip details: Sit-on-top kayaks, paddles, and PFDs provided. This is a flat-water paddle and is suitable for people with little or no paddling experience. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for paddling and walking. Plan to bring sunscreen or a rain jacket and a hat. We will end by 3:30 to give folks time for a quick shower and change of clothes before the happy hour at 5:00pm.
- Leaders: Mark Battista, Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation Naturalist
- Contact: Mark Battista, Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation, 804–318–8735, battistam@chesterfield.gov
- Location: Meet at Dutch Gap Conservation Area, 341 Henricus Park Road Chester, VA 23836 — Carpool from Hilton Richmond Downtown (indicate willingness to drive, # passengers (including driver) available)
- Transportation: Meet at Dutch Gap Conservation Area, 341 Henricus Park Road Chester, VA 23836 — Carpool from Hilton Richmond Downtown (indicate willingness to drive, # passengers (including driver) available)
B. Capital Trail Bike Ride
Joins us for a relaxed bicycle ride on the amazing Virginia Capital Trail, which links Richmond to Jamestown. The ride will introduce you to an urban greenway and various revitalization efforts that have been undertaken in the City of Richmond.
| Wednesday, April 27 | 1pm – 3pm | Limit 12 |
Description: Join Cat Anthony, Director of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation and President of the Virginia Trails Alliance for a relaxed bicycle ride on the amazing Virginia Capital Trail, which links Richmond to Jamestown. The ride will introduce you to an urban greenway and various revitalization efforts that have been undertaken in the City of Richmond. Tour leaders will describe how projects were accomplished along the route, and how the Trail relates to the development of an active transportation network in the Richmond Region.
Trip details: We will meet at Basket & Bike, 1301 E Cary St. Richmond, VA 23219 at 1:00. We will contact you in advance if you are bringing your own bike or if you want to rent a bike. Your conference registration fee will cover bike rentals. Following introductions and a short chat about what to expect/safety considerations, we will ride (on/to) the Capital Trail, stopping periodically for information about the Trail and points of interest. Anticipate 1.5 – 2 hours on the bike, with plenty of time for questions and discussion.
- Leaders: Cat Anthony, Director of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation and President of the Virginia Trails Alliance
- Contact: Matt Pienkowski, Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, matt@virginiacapitaltrail.org, 804.788.6452
- Location: Meet at Basket & Bike, 1301 E Cary St. Richmond, VA 23219 at 1:00.
- Transportation: Basket & Bike is .7 of a mile from the hotel.
C. Hopewell Paddle Trip
Discover the vision for a 25-mile Appomattox River Trail while 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.
| Wednesday, April 27 | 12:30pm – 3:30pm | Limit 8 |
Description: 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 that is transforming to a thriving future focused around outdoor adventures and the vision for a 25-mile Appomattox River Trail while we paddle the flatwater of the Appomattox River, trace the footsteps of Civil War Soldiers at the City Point National Park, wander Downtown Hopewell and end the trip at the award winning Riverwalk.
Trip details: Ability to paddle flatwater in a kayak and walking. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for paddling and walking, and be sure to bring cash for our stop in Downtown Hopewell. Also plan to bring sunscreen or a rain jacket (we’ll hope for the former) and a hat. We will end by 3:30 to give folks time for a quick shower and change of clothes before the happy hour at 5:00.
- Leaders: Heather Barrar, Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR), Aaron Reidmiller, City of Hopewell, Director of Parks & Recreation
- Contact: Heather Barrar, Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR), hbarrar@folar-va.org, 8045124486
- Location: Meet at Hopewell City Marina, 1051 Riverside Ave, Hopewell, VA 23860,
- Transportation: Carpool from Hilton Richmond Downtown (indicate willingness to drive, # passengers (including driver) available
D. Learn about Richmond Food Systems
Learn about some of the exciting work being done in the Richmond food system.
| Wednesday, April 27 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm | Limit 12 |
Description: We will start by visiting Shalom Farms, a local nonprofit, where their leadership will introduce us to their innovative model of building healthy communities by growing and sharing healthy food where access to healthy food is limited. Next we will visit Sankofa Community Orchard where Sankofa’s founder will provide a tour of this unique space in Southside Richmond that combines free access to healthy fruits and vegetables and a community outdoor kitchen space, with nature and Black history. Representatives from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Virginia Community Capital will also be available to answer questions on how these projects connect to other work happening in the broader Virginia food system.
Trip details: Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking. Plan to bring sunscreen, a hat, or a rain jacket, weather depending.
- Leaders: Sara Santa Cruz, Virginia Food Access Investment Fund Coordinator and Lauren DeSimone, Virginia Community Capital/the Good Food Fund
- Contact: Sara Santa Cruz, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 804-786-1495, sara.santacruz@vdacs.virginia.gov
- Location: Shalom Farms and Sankofa Community Orchard,
- Transportation: Van transportation provided. Meet in the Hilton Richmond Downtown lobby.
E. Dock Street, Learn about this exciting riverfront access project.
Join us for a casual walk-and-talk at Great Shiplock Park and Chapel Island, part of the world-class James River Park System.
| Wednesday, April 27 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm | Limit 20 |
Description:
“It Takes a Village: Protecting and Connecting the James River in Richmond”
Join us for a casual walk-and-talk at Great Shiplock Park and Chapel Island, part of the world-class James River Park System. The City of Richmond, Capital Region Land Conservancy, the James River Association, and The Conservation Fund are poised to make a significant connection in the Park System along the James, which will help to complete protection of the riverfront in the City. Countless partners have worked together for years to not only secure the real estate along the River, but also beautify it and help connect the community to its most impressive natural asset. Join representatives from the City, CRLC, JRA, TCF and others to learn more about this effort and enjoy Richmond’s waterfront.
Trip details: Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking. Plan to bring sunscreen, a hat, or a rain jacket, weather depending.
- Leaders: Heather Richards, The Conservation Fund
- Contact: Natasha Skelton, The Conservation Fund, 540-271-0746, nskelton@conservationfund.org
- Location: Meet at 3021 Dock Street
- Transportation: Carpool/shuttle from the Hilton.
F. Walking tour of the University of Richmond’s Eco-corridor
Join us for a casual walk-and-talk at Great Shiplock Park and Chapel Island, part of the world-class James River Park System.
| Wednesday, April 27 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm | Limit 20 |
Description: Attendees will visit the University of Richmond’s new Eco-Corridor to learn how a trail located along a stream restoration project is being used for community building and environmental education. We will begin with an overview of the project vision for improving community resilience along this tributary to the James River. We will discuss the history, current accomplishments, and future designs for the 18-acre space on the southern portion of campus. We will then walk the newly re-designed trail to observe the stream restoration, community garden, pollinator meadow, historical structures and artifacts, best-management practices, and outdoor classroom.
Trip details: Park on campus in Parking Lot U12 on the campus parking map. We will meet at trailhead marker near the community garden. Bring a water bottle, hat and sunscreen as needed. Be prepared to be outside walking and standing for approximately 90 minutes. Easy ~one-mile round trip walk on paved trail.
- Leaders:
Todd Lookingbill, University of Richmond
Peter Braun, Capital Region Land Conservancy - Contact:
Jennifer Wampler, 804-786-9240 or
jennifer.wampler@dcr.virginia.gov