VCU Rice Rivers Center

College of Humanities and Sciences

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VCU School of Life Sciences and Sustainability professor Chris Gough has been named the new executive director of the Rice Rivers Center, the university’s field station along the James River. (Photo by Megan May)

VCU ecologist Chris Gough named new Rice Rivers Center executive director

Oct. 8, 2025

As the field station marks its 25th anniversary, he shares three top goals as it expands its footprint.

The student team documenting the trees across VCU’s Monroe Park and MCV campuses include Margaret Pletcher, Declan O'Donnell, Daniella Asnicar and Kaleb Rezac. (Contributed image)

How many trees are on VCU’s campuses?

Oct. 2, 2025

Student interns with the Rice Rivers Center are counting trees, and the comprehensive inventory could highlight the environmental and financial impact of the urban forest.

The Summer@Rice group at the North Lookout on Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania, home of the longest-running raptor hawk migration count in the world. (Contributed photo)

Students’ summer field research gets a payoff in the fall

Sept. 11, 2025

Summer@Rice program hosted by VCU’s Rice Rivers Center offers experiential ecology that carries into the new semester – and it comes with a stipend.

Overhead picture of Rice River Center, looking over wetlands, field station, and lake.

VPM PBS highlights Rice Rivers Center and the benefits of dam removal

Sept. 3, 2025

From dam removal to a thriving wetland, Kimages Creek is now teeming with life. Dr. Ed Crawford of VCU's Rice Rivers Center told the story on VPM PBS's Virginia Home Grown - and showed how wetlands shape our ecosystems and future.

Student measures the depth of the water table near groundwater wells at the Rice River Center.

Field station of dreams

Aug. 22, 2025

For 25 years, VCU Rice Rivers Center has been students’ portal to the natural world, playing host to research, restoration and life-changing experiential learning.

Outdoor practitioners from across the country recently participated in a river safety course held at the VCU Rice Rivers Center, where they learned a range of hands-on skills. (James Vonesh, School of Life Sciences and Sustainability)

VCU hosts national safety workshop for river field studies

Aug. 20, 2025

The Rice Rivers Center welcomed educators from eight states, highlighting its leadership in navigating field research and risk.

Todd Janeski sits beside a body of water holding an oyster shell

Todd Janeski to serve on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Aug. 18, 2025

His three-year term as a NOAA MAFMC appointee began August 14.

Emma Cummings processes a bird as part of her responsibilities during an internship at Assateague Island National Seashore off the coast of Maryland. (National Park Service)

Recent VCU grad Emma Cummings is bonding, and banding, with the birds

July 24, 2025

In Yellowstone this season, the National Park Service staffer is powered by a lifelong interest in nature and avian ecology lessons from the Rice Rivers Center.

Mariam Topchyan

Mariam Topchyan receives 2024-2025 Outstanding Thesis Award

July 21, 2025

The VCU Graduate School honored Topchyan in the category of Life Sciences.

A day of field work in Highland County, Virginia

Notes from the Field: Abby Bressette

July 9, 2025

Video documents avian research conducted in Highland County, Virginia.