James River Ecology School

To engage today’s youth to be tomorrow’s stewards of our natural resources through hands-on river experiences.

Education Center Press Release

Our children and the James River need each other…

In today’s fast-paced and technology-oriented lifestyle, our society— especially our children—has become less and less connected to the outdoors and nature. With so many indoor activities and technologies to distract them, and real and perceived threats in the outdoors, many children spend much less time outside than previous generations. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, labeled this disconnect “nature deficit disorder.” His research found that children today spend an average of 45 hours in front of a digital screen every week. In fact, only 6% of children ages 9 to 13 play outside on their own in a typical week. Even bike riding is down 31% since 1995.

What is the purpose of the James River Ecology School?

The James River Ecology School will serve as a new community asset to connect Virginia’s children to nature. With a residential environmental education center, JRA educators will be able to administer programs 9 months of the year, without the threat of inclement weather, and will have the means to:

• Deliver meaningful environmental education experiences for a nature-deprived generation.
• Improve academic achievement
• Inspire self-confidence
• Encourage environmental leadership in the region’s schools
• Empower the next generation of James River stewards

Who will benefit from the James River Ecology School?

Middle and high school students in public and private schools anywhere in Virginia will be able to benefit from the 3 day, 2 night experience on Presquile. The cross-curricular programs will meet multiple Virginia Standards of Learning and will in fact help schools meet the requirements of the Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement by ‘provid[ing] a meaningful Bay or stream outdoor experience for every school student in the watershed before graduation from high school.’

Other Freqently Asked Questions about the James River Ecology School.