The RIVERE Ecological Center will be a world-class facility designed to facilitate, promote, and support cutting-edge research, technology integration, collaboration, and educational outreach aimed at mitigating environmental pressures on the Rappahannock River and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The core mission of the RIVERE Ecological Center, centered on Research, Education, Technology, and Ecoculture, is fundamentally driven by the collection, integration, and dissemination of data. This data serves as the critical link connecting community, researchers, educators, and the physical Ecological Center with the Rappahannock River.

Access wet and dry laboratories specifically built for high-tech freshwater research and science-based decision-making. Our laboratory spaces feature flexible layouts, including wet counters and dedicated project storage lockers, enabling rapid adjustment to meet your unique research needs. Integrate seamlessly into the Rappahannock SmartRiver Initiative, leveraging our centralized facility for testing and deploying automated water quality sensors, machine learning, and big data collection that inform predictive modeling. Benefit from a competitive pricing model tailored to research requirements.

Join a community of like-minded ecopreneurs, corporations, academic institutions, and government agencies working toward watershed solutions. Our flexible coworking office model provides significant cost savings and flexibility compared to traditional leasing. RIVERE℠ provides 24/7 secure access and parking, high-bandwidth technology, and essential office support resources. Locate your team in a centralized venue that facilitates immediate access to a network of collaborators and regional watershed experts, streamlining your research efforts and conservation initiatives. Our space is designed with different sized offices (1-person to 15-person), dedicated desks, and coworking seats to suit fluctuating team needs.

This cutting-edge venue will allow researchers to visualize complex data, from molecular water cycles to global flooding patterns, providing live data access from globally distributed water quality and water quantity sensors for advanced modeling and simulation. Utilizing integrated technology, including virtual and augmented reality, this space will be positioned as a powerful tool for public outreach, enabling researchers to efficiently fulfill crucial broader impacts and outreach requirements required of federal and state grants. Additionally, the venue’s design will foster collaboration by dissolving geographical boundaries, connecting researchers at the RIVERE Ecological Center with distant universities and institutions.

The RIVERE Ecological Center will be dedicated to integrating technology-enhanced scientific research into education and public outreach. The state-of-the-art flexible auditorium and event space will offer an unparalleled platform for presenting and experiencing the latest freshwater and ecological science, designed for hosting symposiums and educational conferences. This adaptable venue will accommodate large gatherings, such as events with up to 120 people.

Access adaptable, technology-enhanced classroom spaces to engage students and the public directly with research findings. The RIVERE facility will use cutting-edge tools like projection wall mapping to create interactive 360 environments, and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) technology to expand the reach of your educational programs through virtual field trips. Use the exterior grounds as a living laboratory featuring on-site Best Management Practice landscaping and testing grounds, as well as an outdoor classroom and dock, for research tours and demonstrations.