The RIVERE Ecological Center will be a world-class ecological center that serves as a collaborative hub for the people and organizations working to protect the Rappahannock River and strengthen the region it sustains. By providing high-tech, collaborative space for watershed research, environmental education, ecological innovation, and community engagement, RIVERE will accelerate the impact of existing partners - delivering lasting environmental, educational, and economic value for the entire region.

A core mission of the RIVERE Ecological Center centers on leveraging immersive technologies to enhance watershed research, environmental education, and ecocultural outreach through the collection, integration, and dissemination of data. These data will serve as a critical link connecting community, researchers, educators, and the physical ecological center with the Rappahannock River.

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

Access wet and dry laboratories specifically built for high-tech watershed research and science-based decision-making. Our laboratory spaces will 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 data collection that informs predictive modeling. Benefit from a competitive pricing model that is tailored to research requirements.

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. Our state-of-the-art auditorium and event space will leverage 360-degree immersive technologies to offer an unparalleled platform for presenting and experiencing the latest watershed and ecological science. Our immersive dome theatre will be designed for hosting symposiums, educational conferences, and immersive learning experiences. 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.