Mission
The Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences will be a pre-eminent, nationally recognized academic program focused on enhancing science, education and public policy related to large river ecosystems and their riparian landscapes. We will pursue that vision by uniting university resources and significant federal, state, local and private research and educational partners with the unique and diverse natural and historical resources of the Rice Center.
“The Rice Center provides a wide range of opportunities for environmental research and education. The many ecosystems present at the site, especially the James River, allow scientists and students to focus on understanding environmental issues within a national and broadly interdisciplinary perspective. In addition, the need for environmental education for all age groups has never been greater. As the efforts to provide the public with a better understanding of the beauty, fragility and innate complexity of our natural world increase, the Rice Center will develop into a focal point for environmental research and teaching.”
Leonard Smock, Ph.D.
Director
VCU Rice Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
