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

A group of VCU students on the shore of a riverbank

July 10, 2025

River Management Society recognizes 2025 RSLC recipients

Five VCU students among those earning national certificate in river studies and leadership.

A day of field work in Highland County, Virginia

July 9, 2025

Notes from the Field: Abby Bressette

Video documents avian research conducted in Highland County, Virginia.

Chris Gough

July 1, 2025

Chris Gough appointed executive director of the VCU Rice Rivers Center

Gough is a biology professor and graduate program director in the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability.

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.