RECENT COMMENTS

Free trees for Richmond residents

During the spring and fall planting seasons, the James River Association (JRA) is offering free trees to Richmond City residents through a $200 reimbursement per home for trees planted on their property.

This tree incentive program is only open to City of Richmond residents and reimbursements are available March through April, and September through November 2014. Homeowners must be an existing River Hero Home or submit an application to become a new River Hero Home to qualify.

Tree reimbursements are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be available until funding runs out. For more information about this program, and to find out if your property qualifies, go to www.jamesriverhero.org.

Trees are an important feature for any property because they reduce stormwater runoff and provide aesthetic value. Tree canopies capture and store rainfall and reduce soil erosion. They take up a large amount of water from the soil and provide important habitat for wildlife. Their shade can also help homeowners reduce the cost of cooling their home.

River Hero Homes is JRA’s certification program that recognizes homeowners who are successfully taking steps to improve water quality by reducing the amount of stormwater and pollution leaving their property. To become certified, JRA requires homeowners to install a river-friendly practice, such as planting trees or installing a rain barrel, as well as following some simple everyday actions to reduce pollution. These actions, which include picking up after your pet or planting native plants, may seem small, but when adopted on a wide scale, can have a significant impact on local water quality.

James River Association (JRA) is a member-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to serve as the guardian and voice for the James River. Throughout the James River’s 10,000- squre mile watershed, JRA works through our core programs – Education, Outreach, Watershed Restoration, River Advocacy and the Riverkeeper Program – to help people of all ages enjoy, appreciate and protect the beauty and health of the James River for future generations to enjoy. For more information on JRA visit www.jamesriverassociation.org