Big crowds are expected at the beaches, rivers, lakes and pools this holiday weekend as the days will be hot and dry. This bale of turtles is already celebrating, #riceriversstyle. Photo:@candrews804

Chris Gough, Ph.D., has been named the new director of the VCU Rice Rivers Center, part of the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability. Dr. Gough steps into the role on July 1. Read the full article here:

We all want to be this river otter. Dealing with the heat dome, #riceriversstyle. 📷: @candrews804 . #VCU #riverotter #heatdome #itishot #justkeepswimming

Summer@Rice intern Mary Carson explains her research in the new limited web series, "Notes from the Field."

This baby green heron is ready for the weekend. 📷: @candrews804

A great spangled fritillary on butterfly weed enjoying this beautiful day. Photo: @candrews804

A recent article in @SmithsonianMag highlights the work of Matt Balazik, Ph.D., in collaboration with the @NMNH, focusing on the resurgence of the Atlantic Sturgeon.

The 13th Rice Rivers Center Symposium was held on May 9, 2025 with an overflow crowd of faculty and students. The event – which began in 2008 and ran consecutively until 2019 – was halted during the pandemic, and reemerged this year.

Pete Peterson's routine check a few weeks ago on a birdbox at Rice Rivers Center yielded a surprising result. Read about what happened on his most recent visit.

The Integrative Life Sciences Research Showcase, part of VCU Research Weeks, was held on April 23, 2025 in the Student Commons. Some student research was done at Rice Rivers Center.

Butterflies are back! This one is a juniper hairstreak, enjoying some nectar on a beautiful spring day. Photo: @candrews804

This year, Earth Day and VCU Giving Day align—what better time to invest in our planet and our students? Your gift supports scholarships and hands-on learning in water resources, climate science, wildlife conservation, and wetlands restoration.

A routine check of a bird box that housed Carolina Chickadees at Rice Rivers Center surprised an avian researcher.

Matt Balazik, Ph.D. is well-known in central Virginia for his research with Atlantic sturgeon. But his work goes far beyond the James River to around the globe. VCU has picked Balazik to be the focus of their UNCOMMON Heroes series.

A fellowship in student mentorship grant from Rice Rivers Center provided undergraduate student Kaylynn Breland with research funding.

April showers bring wildflowers. Photo: @candrews804 .#wildflowers #bluebells #springbeauty #heretodaygonetomorrow

A #MacroMonday look at frog eggs through the lens of @candrews804.

A robust baskettail flies into the weekend, #riceriversstyle. Photo: @candrews804 .#VCU #dragonfly #weekendishere

RT @VCU: #VCU to celebrate innovations and breakthroughs during Research Weeks. Read more:

Spring may have just arrived, but it's time for students to plan for the summer. Applications are due by April 2 for the Summer@Rice internship program.