Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Cane Train is a community-based river cane restoration project in southwest Virginia. The project uses a practical, low-cost approach to establish new canebrakes by creating small “canebrake anchors” that can expand over time. Each spring, volunteers harvest river cane rhizomes from established stands. Local greenhouses and universities care for the plants as they become established, and volunteers return in early summer to plant them at restoration sites throughout southwest Virginia.
The Cane Train was designed as an accessible, scalable approach to river cane restoration. This technique has been replicated by restoration programs elsewhere in the Southeast with success. Those interested in learning more, starting a restoration effort or participating in the Cane Train can explore the resources below.
We continue to refine our techniques based on what we learn from each year of restoration work. See our updated methodology, and our frequently asked questions for additional information about the project and its methods.
For more information on our projects specifically, check out these links to webinars and articles about our work.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us at Laura.Young@dcr.virginia.govSmall plantings can produce substantial results over time. The photo sequence below shows the growth of a canebrake anchor from 2021 through 2025. (click to see larger!)
