Community
Strengthening our Richmond community through volunteering creates powerful connections that are vital for advancing sustainability and environmental justice initiatives. By working together, we can build a more resilient and equitable future for all, fostering a shared responsibility for our environment and each other.
Where to Start
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Getting involved in your community starts with understanding the local landscape of support and resources. A great first step is to learn more about the diverse local organizations operating within the City of Richmond. The provided list is a helpful starting point, but remember that there are likely even more resources available within your specific neighborhood or area. By exploring these organizations, you'll gain valuable insight into how resources are distributed across the city and the types of support that currently exist. This understanding will, in turn, help you identify potential gaps in services and pinpoint areas where your time, skills, or resources could be most impactful in supporting your community.
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Taking your community involvement a step further can involve direct participation in local initiatives. Exploring and engaging with Richmond Grows Gardens offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with your neighbors and contribute to a shared community resource. With many established community gardens throughout the city, a great way to get involved is by attending scheduled volunteer days. This provides a hands-on introduction to community gardening, allowing you to connect with fellow community members, learn about collaborative projects, and contribute to the beautification and productivity of these shared green spaces
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For those seeking to engage with their community at a deeper, systemic level, consider participating in the Sustainability Resilience Commission. This commission offers a unique and impactful way to contribute your valuable insights from your lived experience directly into local policy-making. By becoming a member, you can be part of the real change happening in your community, providing crucial perspectives to improve existing plans and shape the creation of new initiatives aimed at enhancing sustainability and resilience within Richmond.
Build your Toolbox
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Volunteer & Environmental Action
City of Richmond - Office of Sustainability - SRC
The Richmond Sustainability & Resilience Commission (“SRC”) is a 9-member public commission tasked advancing climate action in Richmond. The SRC collaborates with the Richmond Office of Sustainability to implement the RVAgreen 2050 Climate Equity Action Plan 2030 and holds 6 annual meetings that are free and open to the public.
Connects volunteers with a wide range of nonprofit organizations and needs throughout the Richmond area. You can search for opportunities related to environmental stewardship, community development, and social support.
James River Association (JRA):
Works to protect and restore the James River, offering various hands-on volunteer opportunities like river cleanups, tree plantings, and water quality monitoring. Volunteering with JRA helps preserve a vital natural resource for the region's health and resilience.
A volunteer group dedicated to maintaining and improving the James River Park System, Richmond's unique urban natural area. They organize workdays for trail maintenance, invasive species removal, park cleanups, and habitat restoration.
Offers training and hands-on opportunities for volunteers to plant and care for trees in Richmond's public spaces. Getting involved helps expand and maintain the city's crucial urban canopy, which provides numerous environmental benefits.
Neighborhood & Civic Engagement
City of Richmond Neighborhood & Civic Associations:
Getting involved with your local neighborhood or civic association is a direct way to connect with neighbors and participate in local community improvement projects. The City provides a directory to help you find and contact associations in your area.
Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton (NRC):
This center serves as a community hub in Richmond's East End, offering programs focused on family support, education, nutrition, and community organizing. It's a key resource for residents looking to connect and get involved directly within the Greater Fulton neighborhood.
Community Spaces & Networking
Gather Coworking: Provides shared workspace locations across Richmond that foster professional networking and community among members. Utilizing shared spaces can support sustainability by potentially reducing individual commutes and optimizing resource use compared to traditional office setups.
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Local Markets & Goods
Richmond Area Farmers Markets:
Connect directly with local farmers and producers to buy fresh, seasonal produce, meats, and other goods. Supporting these markets strengthens the local food system and economy. (Note: Dates in the link might be outdated, but the list of markets is generally consistent).
Sharing & Repair
Lends tools and equipment at a low cost to non-profit organizations and volunteers for community improvement projects. This enables groups to undertake projects they might not otherwise have the resources for.
Hosts volunteer-run events where people can bring broken items (electronics, furniture, clothing, etc.) to be fixed for free, promoting a culture of repair and reducing waste. Check their social media or local event listings for upcoming dates.
Offers clothing repair and mending services, focusing on visible and invisible mending techniques to keep textiles in use and out of landfills. They also offer sewing lessons to empower individuals to mend their own clothes.
Buy Nothing Project (Richmond groups):
Hyperlocal gift economies where neighbors can give and receive items, share skills, and lend tools for free. Participating reduces consumption and builds community connections. Search for your specific Richmond neighborhood group online or via their app.
Sustainable Enterprise & Green Jobs
Provides resources, programs, and incentives to support entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to start, grow, or relocate in the City of Richmond. Their services aim to foster a vibrant local economy through business development and support.
Supporting Local Sustainable Businesses:
While a single comprehensive directory is hard to find, supporting Richmond's local businesses, especially those with stated sustainability practices, keeps money in the local economy and encourages environmentally conscious operations. Look for businesses that prioritize local sourcing, waste reduction, or energy efficiency.
Websites that list employment opportunities in environmental fields, conservation, renewable energy, and sustainability sectors, including positions located in or near Richmond.
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City Planning & Development
Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth:
The City of Richmond's Master Plan that provides a long-term vision and policy framework for future development, land use, and growth over the next 20 years, with an emphasis on creating a more equitable, sustainable, and beautiful city.
City of Richmond Planning & Development Review:
The city department responsible for zoning, land use regulations, and overseeing the adoption and implementation of the Master Plan and specific small area plans. Their website provides access to official plans, ordinances, and information on the development review process.
Climate Action & Resilience
RVAgreen 2050: Climate Equity Action Plan 2030:
The City of Richmond's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build community resilience to the impacts of climate change like extreme heat and flooding. This equity-centered initiative outlines strategies across various sectors.
Conservation & Green Infrastructure
Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC):
A non-profit organization working to conserve and protect the natural and historic land and water resources within the greater Richmond region. They work to preserve forests, farmlands, and important habitats, contributing to the area's green infrastructure.
James River Association (JRA) - Conservation:
While JRA was mentioned for volunteering, their conservation work also focuses on protecting the James River and its watershed through advocacy, education, and on-the-ground restoration projects, including green infrastructure initiatives.
City of Richmond Stormwater Utility / RVAH2O:
This program, managed by the Department of Public Utilities, is responsible for managing stormwater runoff in the city to protect water quality in the James River and local streams. They provide information on stormwater management practices and projects, including green infrastructure solutions.
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Environmental Data & Mapping Tools
A national environmental justice screening and mapping tool that uses publicly available data to highlight areas that may have higher environmental burdens combined with vulnerable populations. It's useful for exploring potential environmental justice concerns in Richmond neighborhoods.
Virginia DEQ Environmental Data Hub / Virginia EJScreen+:
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality provides access to various state environmental data, reports, and interactive mapping tools through their data hub. This includes Virginia EJScreen+, a state-specific tool for exploring environmental justice data within the Commonwealth.
Climate Preparedness & Safety
City of Richmond Emergency Management:
Provides resources and guidance on how to prepare for various emergencies and disasters. Their site includes information on making a family plan, building a disaster kit, and staying informed through alerts, which is essential for climate resilience.
RVAgreen 2050 - Extreme Heat & Flooding Assessment:
As part of the city's climate action plan, this section addresses the risks of extreme heat and flooding in Richmond, particularly in areas with low adaptive capacity. The Richmond Resilience Assessment is a comprehensive assessment platform to evaluate and address the City's vulnerability to extreme heat and flood inundation.
Richmond Area Flood Risk Resources (via PlanRVA):
PlanRVA offers tools and information to help residents understand their property's flood risk based on current flood maps and potential future conditions. This is a key resource for preparing for and mitigating flood impacts.
(See also the statewide Virginia Flood Risk Information System (VFRIS) from VA DCR)
Practical Skills & Education
Virginia Cooperative Extension - Richmond City Office:
Offers research-based educational programs and resources on a wide range of topics, including home gardening, healthy living, food preservation, and natural resource management. They are a valuable source for learning practical skills for sustainable living and resilience.
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Community Growing & Urban Agriculture
Supports the development and sustainability of community gardens across the City of Richmond. Their website provides a directory of gardens, resources for gardeners, and information on how to get involved in urban growing spaces.
Local Harvest - Richmond Area:
A directory listing local farms, farmers markets, and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) in and around Richmond. It's a great resource for finding opportunities to buy food directly from local producers and support regional agriculture.
Happily Natural Day - Agriculture:
This initiative highlights urban agriculture and community gardening efforts, often featuring information on local farms and gardens with a focus on natural growing practices.
Local Food Access
(Cross-reference to Farmers Markets listed in Category 2: Local Economy & Sustainable Resources for direct access to local produce).
Parks & Natural Areas
Richmond's extensive and unique urban park system, offering miles of trails, river access, and diverse natural habitats right within the city. It provides critical green space for recreation, wildlife, and environmental health. The linked site is managed by the Friends of James River Park.
City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities (PRCF):
Manages all of the city's public parks, trails, community centers, and recreational facilities. Their website is a resource for finding parks near you, learning about amenities, and accessing city-managed green spaces.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden:
A beautiful and expansive botanical garden offering cultivated gardens, plant collections, and a focus on horticulture and conservation. It serves as a significant green space and educational resource about plants and ecosystems.
A 100-acre historic estate offering stunning gardens, a nature center, a farm, and wildlife habitats in the heart of Richmond. It provides a significant public green space for recreation, education, and connecting with nature and animals.
Sustainability Guide Resources
