We’re excited to announce that this year’s Richmond Invasive Species Awareness Week (RISAW) will be in a few short weeks – February 22nd through 28th. Our calendar will be full of events including volunteer opportunities, informative educational walks, an appearance by the RVA Goats, and the annual Boogie for the Biosphere celebration at Basic City Brewing from 5 – 8 on the 26th(featuring entertainment by James River Park Superintendent Andrew Alli and his friend Josh Small!).
Invasive Species Awareness Week started with the efforts of the North American Invasive Species Management Association. They launched a nationwide initiative in 1999. In 2017, the James River Park System’s Invasive Plant Task Force (IPTF) hosted their first week-long event, and in 2023, the City of Richmond declared their support for RISAW.
This signature educational campaign empowers the community to tackle the threat invasive species pose to our local ecosystems.
The week-long initiative features a series of engaging activities that will include opportunities to participate in invasive plant removals–or to just enjoy educational nature walks, a discussion of invasive catfish at the James A. Buzzard River Education Center, a film screening and more.
Local environmental organizations, ecologists, botanists, and community leaders will collaborate to provide insights into the identification, prevention, and management of invasive species. And to show that it’s not all work, the IPTF’s annual Boogie for the Biosphere party at Basic City Brewing culminates the week.
RISAW 2026 will be a week of learning and experiential opportunities for all ages. This year, Friends Of James River Park is honored to host RISAW in collaboration with the IPTF and other organizations across the city, including generous financial support from CoStar. By fostering a deeper understanding of invasive species and encouraging community involvement, we can collectively take steps to foster ecologically thriving natural communities in the JRPS and beyond.
For more information of the events throughout the week, visit our calendar here or download the PDF below. Folks interested in joining one of our volunteer events during RISAW should make sure to sign up through our calendar as well.
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