If you’re in the market for a new nature-focused book, local river lover Ralph Hambrick’s “Transforming the James River in Richmond” has the advantage of being locally-focused as well.

Hambrick is a member and former chair of the Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee and a member and former co-chair of the James River Advisory Council. He is a professor emeritus in public policy and administration at VCU, as well as a former whitewater canoe instructor, raft guide and an “all-around river enjoyer.”

Here’s an excerpt from the book: The James River is the centerpiece of Richmond, but by the mid-twentieth century it had been abused and neglected. Eagles and sturgeon had nearly disappeared, water-powered industry was abandoning it and the river was a sewer. Today, the river draws visitors to its wooded shorelines, restored canal and feisty rapids. At the local level, this transformation was the result of citizen action, public-private partnerships, difficult decisions by governmental leaders and the hard work of thousands of passionate advocates and volunteers. Local author and lifelong river watcher Ralph Hambrick chronicles the events, projects and controversies that brought about the dramatic change and lends a critical eye to the results.

The book is 246 pages and features 141 pictures. Click here to check it out.