VCU's River Campus

The VCU Rice Rivers Center, VCU's river campus, supports scholarship and student instruction across diverse disciplines, including water resources, climate science, wildlife conservation and wetlands restoration.

Located midway between Richmond and Williamsburg, Virginia along the historic James River, our 360 acres of riparian marshes, tidal creeks and mature forests represent a unique outdoor laboratory for important applied research and innovative, experiential classes. The center’s modern facilities offer offices, classrooms, laboratories and overnight lodging for students, faculty, visiting scholars and community groups. State-of-the-art technologies are deployed onsite to collect information on air and water quality, fish and avian migrations, changing sea levels and a host of other critical data sources. Our ongoing partnerships with state and federal natural resource and earth science agencies provide significant training opportunities for student scholars.

Science that matters to everyone

News

Uncommon Hero - Dr. Matt Balazik

April 17, 2025

VCU's "UNCOMMON Heroes" series features Matt Balazik, Ph.D.

Balazik helps restore the Atlantic sturgeon population in the James River, but also influences international conservation strategies.

Frogs and six chickadee eggs share a birdbox

April 17, 2025

The cost of housing goes interspecies: Skyrocketing rents bring biodiverse tenants

One nesting spot is the home to more than just feathered residents.

Three people sit on a canoe in the water, one holding a bird

March 24, 2025

Applications are open for 2025 summer internships at VCU Rice Rivers Center

The annual Summer@Rice program provides ecological field experiences for students.

Research and Restoration

a warbler perched atop someone's hand

VCU researchers and partners study the breeding biology of the prothonotary warbler along the lower James River using the project and its data to explore population genetics, disease and migration ecology, the role of song and plumage in reproductive fitness, and the impact of climate change on diet and timing of breeding.