ANNUAL REPORT

2018-2019 Lynnhaven River Now

2018-2019 Board of Directors Bob Well, President Andrew Fine, Co-Chair Harry Lester, Co-Chair Michael Barrett Winston Bibee Craig Cope Jan Dillard Lisa Eure Karen Forget Lillie Gilbert

Steve Herbert Cape. at False - Sunset Wexler Bryce Brent James Dave Jester From our beautiful ocean and bay beaches and the Lynnhaven River to Back Bay and Cathy Maston the North Landing River, our waterways define our lives in Virginia Beach. They are a Bob Miller large part of why we chose Virginia Beach as our home. We love to kayak, surf, fish, swim, Gene Ross Fand simply enjoy a sunset over our favorite body of water while savoring some delicious Richard Serpe local seafood. Joan Spore Founded in 2002, Lynnhaven River NOW is dedicated to restoring and protecting Emily Steinhilber our beautiful Virginia Beach waterways. We began with a singular focus on the Robert Taylor Lynnhaven River watershed, but over the years, our programs have grown to include all of the watersheds in Virginia Beach. We are truly blessed with miles and miles Staff of beaches and the busy Rudee Inlet and Owl Creek; the bountiful and accessible Executive Director Lynnhaven River which winds through the entire northern part of our city from the Karen Forget resort area to Town Center; the magnificent North Landing River “Green Sea;” and the Assistant Director for Pearl Programs renowned Back Bay. Helen Kuhns From the beginning, our work at LRNow has been shaped by these three Office Manager and Events Coordinator strategic objectives: Terri Gorman • Identify and reduce sources of pollution in our waterways. • Restore vital habitat like oyster reefs, wetlands, riparian buffers, underwater grasses, Development and Communications native plants, and forested lands. Emily Bodsford Hatfield • Educate and engage the community and partner organizations in this work. Pearl Faith Communities For sixteen years, Lynnhaven River NOW has provided community education Penny Moulis and outreach opportunities to all Virginia Beach residents, teaching and inspiring Pearl Schools and Education Programs adults and students to take steps to improve water quality in our Virginia Beach Jody Ullmann waterways. We have been honored to receive a Governor’s Award for Environmental F Dana Sizemore Excellence, a Coastal America Award, and the Dugdale Award from the Garden Club Pearl Homes and Neighborhoods of Virginia among other recognition. Morgan Schmidtendorff We work actively with many partners to help citizens learn how we can each Pearl Businesses contribute to conserving our valuable natural resources. LRNow has six key programs Helen Kuhns that help us to reach our goal of healthy and clean waterways. • Pearl Homes and Neighborhoods Conservation Landscaping and • Pearl Businesses Sustainable Yards Trista Imrich • Pearl Schools Barbara Duke • Pearl Faith Communities • Restoration Programs Restoration Projects • Advocacy Brent James Clay Bernick You can read about all of these programs and more in our 2018-2019 Annual Report, on our website, LRNow.org, and in our regular newsletters, the E-News. SOS Program Sign up for our newsletter on the home page of our website and learn about the many Joe Randall opportunities to get involved and be a part of this dynamic team. Cover photo courtesy of Erik Moore

2 Dear Members,

At LRNow, we love our beautiful and bountiful Virginia Beach natural resources. We Discover Virginia Beach believe that we can continue to grow and develop as a city while we protect our marine environments, expand our forested lands and open areas, and restore our shorelines Photo Contest Winners Aand native vegetation. We believe that Virginia Beach can tackle all of the challenges Thank you all for your entries in the 2018 that climate changes may bring. And we believe that we can be the cleanest and most Discover Virginia Beach photography sustainable city on the East Coast. contest! We feel so fortunate to live in or We know that this can only be accomplished through collaboration. By working near such a unique city that is home to with our residents, leaders, businesses, faith communities, and schools, we can many diverse ecosystems. From Back Bay accomplish what none of us can accomplish alone. We hope that during our sixteen to the North Landing River, Stumpy Lake, years of work in Virginia Beach, we have earned your trust and support. Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay and the We began our work in 2002, focused on the Lynnhaven watershed. It was the most legendary Lynnhaven River, each photograph densely populated and most degraded watershed in the city. We set out to reverse some truly captures all of Virginia Beach. of the destructive practices of the past and return the Lynnhaven to its previous glory. The winning photos have been included We have had some success in that pursuit. The Lynnhaven system is much healthier throughout our 2018-2019 Annual Report for and more productive than it was sixteen years ago. Our native oyster population has your enjoyment. rebounded beautifully and we all understand so much more about how our actions affect the health of our waterways. Congratulations to our 2018 Discover Virginia But during these years, our work continued to expand and encompass the whole Beach Photography Contest winners! city – all seven major watersheds (Little Creek, Lynnhaven, Rudee and Owl Creek, Ocean and Bay beaches, Elizabeth River Eastern Branch, Back Bay, and North Landing Adults River). During the past couple of years, we have concentrated on learning more about the Back Bay and North Landing River watersheds that drain into the Albemarle and Wildlife: Pamlico Sound to our south. And we have introduced some of you to the wonders in 1st Place – Mark Winterstein these areas of our city through our Discover Virginia Beach monthly events. “An Egret lands in the marsh at Pleasure We are dedicated to restoring and protecting our natural resources throughout the House Point” city. To better reflect the real nature of our work, we have adopted a new tagline for our 2nd Place – Stephanie Johnson logo. The logo is the same as you have learned to recognize, but it now says Restoring “Shall We Dance?” Virginia Beach Waters. Landscape: Thank you for being a part of the team that is making a difference in our city! 1st Place – Eric Moore “Mouth of the Blackwater” Sincerely, 2nd Place – Bill Nevin “Sunset Backbay” Recreation: 1st Place – Steve Daniel Karen Forget “Dog vs. Crab” Executive Director 2nd Place – Mary Lewis “Dinner on the water” Overall: Mark Winterstein “A Blue-grey Gnatcatcher stares down a caterpillar at Stumpy Lake”

Youth Wildlife: Cecilia Kocan “Sharing the Sun” Landscape: Bryce Wexler “Sunset at False Cape” Recreation: Erin “Ellie” Carpenter

Cecilia Kocan - Sharing the Sun Cecilia Kocan “Sunset on the Lynnhaven”

3 Volunteers of the Year for 2018:

All-Around Volunteer Sustainable Yard Program Jon Parish Barbara Duke Our Volunteer of the Year for 2018, Jon Barbara Duke was invaluable to our new Parish, is dedicated to volunteerism and Pearl Homes Sustainable Yard Program. has been recognized for his community She gave 42 hours of volunteer time helping service through his employer PRA Group. to assess Pearl Homes for the programs Jon paddles waterway cleanups bringing in best management practices (BMPs), often kayak-loads of water-borne trash. He sets up and breaks down available on short notice to visit a property or help out wherever events such as the Fall Festival and was committed to the con- needed. As with all our wonderful volunteers, her expertise and struction of the 64th Street Pavilion shelter. eagerness to get the program up and running set the stage for an ...... incredibly successful inaugural year! Stewardship & Access Committee ...... Rosemary Harker Advocacy Programs Rosemary Harker has been a volunteer with John Uhrin the Stewardship & Access Committee for During his twelve years on our Virginia over 12 years. Rosemary leads by example Beach City Council representing the Beach and helps in many capacities such as leading District, John Uhrin consistently supported children’s activities at the Fall Festival, work- efforts to protect our natural resources. He ing monthly waterway cleanups, and sampling the waters of Crab was an active member of the Resort Area Creek as one of LRNow’s Citizen Scientists. Commission Green Committee, helped get recycling containers ...... on our beaches, supported offshore wind development, and Oyster Restoration was a champion in our fight to keep seismic testing and offshore Chris Ludford drilling for gas and oil out of our ocean waters. Chris Ludford has been named LRNow’s ...... 2018 Oyster Volunteer of the Year. His Office Assistant positive spirit of volunteerism and “can-do” Linda Lexier approach to every challenge has distin- Linda Lexier’s enthusiasm for the work of guished him from his peers. He has been LRNow has been apparent for a long time. instrumental in providing afloat support to LRNow whenever and She made the delicious oyster stew for our wherever he was asked. This resulted in LRNow’s being able to spring Oyster Roast for many years and has take distinguished visitors out onto the water in support of our helped out at many LRNow events. Even oyster restoration program, with resulting highly positive and im- through her own health challenges, Linda has continued to help portant visibility for LRNow. For his unfailingly positive attitude out in the office whenever we have needed her. and spirit, he is our Oyster Volunteer of the Year! ...... PR & Outreach Committee Oyster Roast Silent Auction Carolyn Osmond Debbie Blankman Carolyn Osmond is a great all-around Debbie Blankman serves on the PR and volunteer, consistent and easy to work with. Outreach committee, the Silent Auction Whether she’s bringing well-thought-out Committee and as an Oyster Chick. She has ideas (and homemade treats) to meetings been invaluable to the Silent Auction Com- or thinking ahead and doing the legwork to mittee working endless hours to procure help create crafts for the Oyster Chicks sale at the Oyster Roast, amazing fundraising items for our Silent Auction that takes place she contributes to all facets of our PR and Communications during our annual Oyster Roast. Committee...... Education Programs Pearl Faith Program Tonya Rivers Dr. Robin Van Tine As a pre-school teacher, mother of two, and The Pearl Faith Volunteer of the Year is Dr. Cub Scout leader, Tonya Rivers brings creative Robin Van Tine for his role as the coordi- ideas, enthusiasm and teaching experience nating force for the Pearl Faith Workshop: to the SPAT (Science Pre-school Adventure Sacred Earth, Sacred Work. Robin, a recently Time) programs. This past year, not only did retired professor of biology and environ- she develop and teach four classes, she also assisted children with mental science at Saint Leo University is an active advocate for crafts at outreach programs. She is a wonderful asset to the Educa- environmental justice and is a leader in the congregation at the tion Department and well deserving of the award. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula.

4 Discover Virginia Beach

Join us for adventures every month throughout the year in different areas of our beautiful and diverse city. Here are some of the places we explored in 2018. Watch our E-News for all the great places we will go in 2019 – here’s a little preview.

2018 & 2019 2019 Bird Walks at First Landing State Pleasure House Point Park Hike

2019 April 2019 Lake Smith/Lake Lawson Red Wing Park Paddle Tour and Picnic Garden Tour

2019 January 2019 Elizabeth River, Eastern Winter Wildlife Festival Branch Water Trail Hike Meetup

November 2018 September 2018 Stumpy Lake Park Hike Guided Walk at West Neck Creek Nature Area 2019 and Tour of Whitehurst- TCC Planetarium Program Buffington House

2018 & 2019 November 2019 Farm and Pungo Winery False Cape State Park Tours Native Wreath Making

January 2019 2019 North Landing River Tours Back Bay & False Cape with the Winter Wildlife Bike Tour Festival December 2018 2019 Back Bay National Munden Point Park Wildlife Refuge Paddle Tour and Picnic Tram Tour

December 2019 Mackay Island Open Roadways Tour

5 Oysters, Oysters, Oysters

Restoring our Lynnhaven River native oyster population has been and is both our first and our largest oyster castle project. It an important part of our restoration efforts from the beginning protects the narrow undeveloped point of Broad Bay Island of our organization. Recent surveys identified approximately 120 from erosion and provides habitat for an amazing array of Racres of healthy sanctuary oyster reef in the Lynnhaven River oysters, sponges and other marine critters in Long Creek. The including Broad Bay, Linkhorn Bay, the Inlet and the Eastern and reef was built in three phases starting in spring 2012 and ending Western Branches. About half of that or 60 acres is subtidal in spring 2014. One of our hopes was that we would see the sanctuary reef constructed over the past fifteen years and the accretion of sand and the spread of marsh grasses behind the other half, 60 acres, is constructed and natural shoreline or castles as the waves were calmer and the shoreline stablized. intertidal reef. Our goal is 152 acres of sanctuary reef. This has We are very happy to say that has happened faster than we been determined to be the acreage needed to sustain a healthy expected. Where oysters thrive, so do our marsh grasses. oyster population in the Lynnhaven. The Laila reef is named after our friend Laila Serpe, Here are some updates on recent and upcoming oyster daughter of Richard and Linda Serpe, who was taken from this restoration projects: world much too soon. Many of her Cape Henry Collegiate • Laila Oyster Castle Reef on Broad Bay Island School classmates have volunteered to help with construction The Laila reef lines the northwest shoreline of Broad Bay Island and maintenance of the Laila reef over the years.

6 • Eastern Branch Reef constructed in Spring 2017 The Witchduck reef will be the first sanctuary work in the In spring 2017, 19,000 bushels of oyster shells from our shell Western Branch of the Lynnhaven. We hope to see results that collection program were used to build the Community Reef match the tremendous growth we have seen in the Eastern in the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven. This was our first Branch. sanctuary reef in the Eastern Branch. The settlement of oysters All of these oysters are helping to clean the water and on this reef has surpassed all expectations and their growth rate provide habitat not only for baby oysters to attach and grow, has been tremendous. After only eighteen months, our tonging but for sponges, survey brought up one to two inch oysters in healthy clusters. worms, crabs, and Oysters this size were found on all areas of the reef. We can’t juvenile fish to wait to go out next fall and see how large and plentiful they shelter and grow. have become. Each reef becomes • Western Branch Reef planned for Spring 2019 an ecosystem The plans have been made, the grant funds obtained and the supporting a partners are all in place to build at least five acres of sanctuary healthy marine reef in the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven in spring 2019. environment. • James Madison University Research Project When it came time for Virginia Beach native and James Madison University graduate student Bailie Lavan to pick a Master’s Thesis Field Project for her MS in Biology, she decided that she wanted to take a pass on the bovine flatulence study (Yes...it’s really a thing.) and to do a project involving oyster settlement and growth in the Lynnhaven. She started with a blank sheet and using her knowledge of natural oyster reefs and growth patterns designed a series of cement tiles with about 24” x 24” bases. On these base tiles she attached cement facsimiles of oyster shells in different patterns and densities to see if the spat would prefer one style over the other with differing interstitial spaces upon which to settle. In January, 2018 she contacted Brent James, LRNow’s Oyster Restoration Coordinator, to inquire as to LRNow’s interest in her project. After numerous planning emails and meetings, a site on one of Brent’s oyster leases in the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven was selected for placing the tiles in the water. She constructed the tiles at JMU and trucked them down to Virginia Beach for deployment. In June the tiles were deployed with the help of Bailie’s Faculty Advisor, Dr. Patrice Ludwig and her husband. A single oyster castle block was also deployed to serve as a control unit to compare spat sets. Since tile deployment in June, Ms. Lavan has returned with some undergrad biology students every few weeks to monitor the project and measure the success of the different tile patterns. The last site visit was just completed in December, and the results of the project will be published shorty. By all

7 New Pearl Homes December 1, 2017 – November 30, 2018

Pearl Homes are residences where our great Virginia Beach citizens are asking what they can do to make our city more sustainable and keep our waterways clean. We are happy to have welcomed over 857 new residences to our Pearl Homes program during the past year, bringing the total to 4,657. Congratulations to our new Pearl Homes.

So much of the progress we have made in restoring our waterways is a result of the great work our residents are do- ing to change their practices and adopt more sustainable behaviors. These pearl homes are located all over Virginia Beach and are places where people care about our community and our environment. Our daily habits and decisions make a difference. Whether you have installed a rain garden, made a pledge to “Scoop the Poop” or switched to a reusable water bottle, YOU are helping to bring our waterways back to life, and we would like to recognize your efforts. Any Virginia Beach home can be a Pearl Home. If you would like to join the com- munity, please visit lrnow.org/pearl-homes/ to apply and become a Peal Home today! Thank you to all of our Pearl Homes for your beautiful efforts and actions to being part of the solution!

MAJOR Fairfield Steven Cotthaus Heidi Mashaw Mansoor Abdullah Chic’s Beach WATERSHEDS Chris Broselew Jack Bingman Mark Schaller Adrienne Baker Sub-watersheds Jan Hostetler Weblin Place Jaclyn Hayes Mason X. Sanderson Emma & Bill Carroll Neighborhood Kimmy Ellen Katherine Jones Jennifer Morton Melicni Shadley Abby Novario Katherine Hare Jennifer Puente Michael Peele Courtney Haskins CHESAPEAKE BAY Patrick Carr Woodstock Jennifer Williams Mindy Neiman WATERSHED Susan George Brooke Schaab Jessica Nutt Qina Chen Wai Cypress Point ...... Suzanne Kempf Linda Miller Joanne Hughes Resa Rutledge Sandra Dubque Bay Coastal Watershed Green Acers Amrit S. Dhillon John DeLacey Rhonda Baez Sally Marr Chesapeake Bay Shores Jeena Miller Amy Petersen Juan Correa III Robert Leuke Heather Wilson Dea Chalmers Amy Rimarski Julie Oehman Rosa Flores-Casas Hunt Club Association Barbara Bishop Julie Smith Sade Wright Diamond Springs Lynnhaven Dunes Mark Podolinsky Betty Oren Kaden Peele Salick Morrisey Nancy Weinzetl Linda Merritt Caitlyn Ricks Kay Jackson SaQuoya Smith Kerry Wang Huntington Estates Charet Thill Kristin Smith Sarah Ciaranca Falcon Point Apartments Brenda Kopek Christine McCabe Kyonna Hall Shahed Abdulla Erica Keller Chic’s Beach Dot Miller Corell Taylor Laniya Danae Coburn Shikha Sharma/ Sunil Christopher Moss Corey Taylor Larry Strauss Kumar Haygood Robyn Backer Jonathan’s Cove David Kuhn Lauren Cook Stephanie Thompson/ Rhonda Hixson Lauren Clark Sylvester Starkes Dr. Kelly S. Rippard Lorraine Nute Alexander Smith Wendy T. Voliva ...... Drake Arce Lorrie Terantino Tana Colon Elizabeth River Kempsville Colony Eulonda Rewis Lynn Blessett Terri Douberly Lake Cypress Watershed Kate Martin Haley Williams Maddie Gordon Tonya Snow Mildred Dyson Avalon ...... Hannah Farrell Kempsville Lakes Rain Barrels Little Creek Watershed Lake Shores Brandon Holland Rain Barrels are a great tool to help protect Amherst Austin Rosecrans Bellamy Manor Erink Wallace Chantina Brinson Lisa Whitley Jeanne Tonnesen our watersheds from runoff pollution. They Lake Smith Terrace Kelly McCrance JoAnna Mills-Sampson also conserve a natural resource that can Aragona Village Karen Ford reduce your water bills. Municipal water Alex Muncy Karen Garrison Brandon Lake Edwards Tracy Mills Frederick & Letha Sheffy Sherri Sutherland Ann Marie Davis contains ammonia, fluoride, and chlorine Cassie Moore Christina McGinn Carlisthe T. Wright which is hard on plants. Your gardens and Thomas A Blei Allison Hope Brookfield Crossing Ines M. Febos vegetation will thrive by using the harvested Angel Smith Latoya Lamb Baywatch Point Lynnbrook Landing Paul Leon rainwater to water them. Michaela Thrower Monique Edghill Lake James Carolanne Farms Janeen Brady Belmeade Malibu April Vasser Leslie Edmondson Hilary Thompson Leonardo Camillucci Lakeville Estates German Garcia Valerie Custer Amanda Elliott Newpointe Condos Bradford Cover Samantha Hughes Carriage Mill Larks Down Kempsville Arria Kemper Karen Arae Reinoso Nicole Johannesen Sandra Jimenez Campus East Ciera Calloway Elisa Clark Kimesha Mosley Larkspur Larnette Ricks North Ridge Chatham Hall Bill & Tere Gustafson Rachelle Jackson Brittany Peiser-Hudgins Kim Snyder Kierra Thomas Level Green Carriage House College Park Amber A. James Cherise (Blackmon) North Shore Lee Antonella Lisa Graham Marshall Jessica Fernandez Mara Chauvette Robyn Jones Point O’View Kimberly Moreno

8 Ridgely Manor Hallie Silliphant Church Point Harbinger Road Linkhorn Ocean Park Tiffany Wiggins Mark Baumgartner Sherif El-Mahdy Haley Dolinar Alexandra Laramee Andrew Broyles Swarna Marian Robert Flint Andrew Preece Thoroughgood Baycliff Hilltop Jacob Kratochvil C. Baraki Jarred Roenker Eastern Park Kristin Hunsicker Little Haven Melissa Palmer Sandra White Christine Westendorf Bonnie Flora L. E. Parker-Shuler Astrid & Sam Lamb Patrick Gazzolo Wicks Family Susan H. Mathias Patricia Lauterbach Gables of Belamy Inlet Shores Condos Little Neck Old Beach Village Joyce Lovitt Baylake Pines Melinda Hughes William & Caitlin Kim Hudson Mary Anne Decker Anntionetta Reese Dell Young Stravino Huib Keizer Richard Walsh Benita Willis Demetrius Winslow Gatewood Tom Langley Darrien Daniel/Fatazia Klaus Anna Hersey Jamestown Commons II Maria Pguyen Old Donation Farm Gaynor Jennifer Ackley Hannah Rice Rosalba Ricciardi Genet Tamyra Natividad Dianne Grimes Matthew Smith Lynnhaven Colony Elizabeth Herrin Great Neck Farms King’s Grant Kate Hall Old Donation Shores Hazel Firmino Bethune Woods Terry Weller Alicia Mangels Jeff Smith Justin Huang Raena Jennifer Nagel Vazquez Angela B Shaeffer Lynnhaven Shores Kathy Lindgren McGovern Anne Deary Margie McCathy Osprey Point Townhomes Kathy Parks Birchwood Benjamin Chidester Joane Ofeldt Logan Wilson Abby Causey Great Neck Lake Bree Ruzzi Lynnhaven Woods Mary Anne Allen Alison Dudkoewicz Neil & Cheryl Rondorf Claudia Moorad Rachael Armeli Pembroke Manor Melchi Williams Elizabeth L. Tumilty George Prazma Alexander Nash Melinda Charles- Sheila & Nick Bailey Great Neck Manor Grace D Stedje-Larsen Magic Hollow Elizabeth Gibbs Samtime Bobbi Bains Jessica White Marina Koehler Melissa Ogozaly Birdneck Point Katie Cardon Pembroke Meadows Nicole Litkowski Marc & Chris Weiss Great Neck Meadows Katlyn Flowers Malibu Kim Bader Racquel Parham Ellen Manning Keeter Judy Moebus Kimberly Williams Austin Taylor Beverley Weisman Rani Patel Melinda Gulick Maria Hess Marie T. Culver Brenda Lutz Jackie Savage Renarden Freeman Rachel Phelps Cynthia Hiddemen Ronald Garrison Bishopsgate Great Neck Point The Cross Family Jamie Collins-Facteau Plaza Ryan Huang Ruth Kral Brafford Family Megan McCreary Sharronna Benton Sisha T. Perea Mary Ann Jolly Kline Farms Sid Kasarabada Pocahontas Village Tomia Foster Bow Creek Scott Washburn Kim Marin Darlene Sabol Tonya Rivers Janice Luton Marina Shore Judith Haddox Tracie Silva Samantha Brooks Green Garden Lake Trant Apartments Tyler Droll Gwyneth Carlson Jim & Brenda Haynie Kasey Haddock Princess Anne Hills ...... Brighton in the Bay Mark Bragg Patricia Manint Michael Brazukas Lynnhaven River Dorene Caron Green Hill Farms Samantha Gordon Watershed Jill & Robert Mariano Larkspur Middle Plantation Aeries on the Bay Broad Bay Estates Anna Aquino Gregory Golden Redwood Farms Manuela Mourao Jenn Sadler Green Run Eric and Lindsay Johnson Leslie Jossen Mary Fentress Shelly Harris Bonnie Kluzz Josh and Kelly Kinnear Rive Cove Point Alanton Melissa Steadman Carl J Carlson Shelly and Stephen North Alanton Donna Marchant-Roof Rebecca Newton Hall and Lei Dunn Pfeiffer Joan Pickett Broad Bay Island Jenny Bise Stacey Allin Snug Harbor All Saints Episcopal Anna Surratt Jessica Brown North End Tracy Critser Maury Joy Mary k. Mladinich-Spain Laura Dember Laurel Cove Nancy Brown Ryan Sawyer Pamela Burson Macklin Smith Southern Points Susan Tuohy Broad Bay Point Greens Tawanda Williams Nancy Woodhouse Ocean Gardens Lars Parkhurst Kristina Dasher Lesner Cove Condos Lisa Willis Aragona Village Lynanne Gornto Robert Dizon Thalia Angela & Scott Breuer Buckner Woods Audrey Somero Heather Andrew Elizabeth Samuelsen Rain Gardens Chris Walker Katie DeGaramo A Rain Garden is a bowl-shaped garden with deep, loose soil and a Dean Cooper Maegan Conner Cape Henry Shores Jen Klotz Patricia Mace Trish Knox berm on the downhill side to act as a dam. The excess water on your Jenny Hofler PJ Humphries Cape Story by the Sea lawn or water that flows off of impervious surfaces can be direct- Kenneth Smead Rachel Lee Brian & Angie Callahan ed to run into the garden amended soil and help to recharge the Susan F. Kaufman Teresa Smith Angela Lindsey Terry Ritzel Whittney Madden Barbara MacDonald groundwater. This reduces the amount and improves the quality of Susanna McClure storm water runoff. The garden also increases the habitat diversity The Lakes Arbors at Cape Henry on your property. Yi Guo Sanoy Gilbert Cardinal Estates Dawn Davis Thoroughgood Battery Park Andrea Balsly Dawn Rykheart Chesopeian Colony Jason Thomas Kimberly Hadzima Robert Oliver/Mary Karen Heesch-Gilman Bradley Verna Tersol Bay Colony Amelia Suh Chic’s Beach Timberlake Cindee Riordan Hilary Wriggers Aneta Spry Kelly Burroughs William Hallwig Andrea Battle-Coffer Kim Savage Robert & Deborah Chimney Hill Town Center Condos Blanchard Christine Williams Dominic Rhymes Elfreades Perkins Bay Island Karri Huey Towne Square Bob and Donna Magoon Lakesha Ricks

9 Trant Berhshire Infiltration Trenches South Beach Jan Van Heiningen Halperin Amanda Crauotte Dana Sauvageau Jane S Woolridge Midge Tinney Trantwood An Infiltration Trench is a gravel-filled trench Bobbi Skinner-White Jane Webster Misty Beninato Christopher Faison or pit that stores runoff temporarily until it Amy Alberico Jane Wright Mollie Backs Joseph D Legradi seeps into the ground through the bottom of Monica Reyna-Kirkland Janice Mohr Mona Forney Quintin Custis Jayne Sullivan Pat Meakin Wellington Woods the trench or pit. This practice does not nec- Jean Caprow Pat Robertson Elizabeth Waranch essarily incorporate vegetation into its design. SOUTHERN Jean Carlston Pete St Germain Heather Deanes Instead, they rely on natural soils to absorb WATERSHED Jessica Dulmage Peter and Valerie Fay Jen Schlate ...... Jim and Joan Kail Philapena Price Jennifer Mlincsek runoff and filter pollutants. Water quality Back Bay Watershed Jim Laurance Pinky Derieux Katie Schatti treatment, reduction of peak flows in storm Atlantic Shores Jim Rosewbaun Richard P Multer Sr water systems, and groundwater recharge are Retirement Community Joan Gelrison Richard Quarles Wimbledon on the Bay *PEARL Joan Thurston Richard W. Anderson Kai Lakin the primary benefits of the infiltration trench. NEIGHBORHOOD* Joel Peterson Rick Sawyer Also, since the amount of surface water en- Allen and Barbara Bissell John and Donna Robert Green Windsor Woods tering waterways is slowed down, it reduces Alma Hollwgswirth Soderberg Robert Mooney Bonnie Jenks Anita and Ron Casey John Hamilton Ron Gahagan Elizabeth Telkamp channel erosion. Ann Dulman Judy Bernal Russell Blackburn Kim Barnes Anne S. Morgan Judy Harrell Rusty DePaul Liz Cipolla Annie Alberi Judy Thaler Sara Jane Druzheik Seantel & Joshua Butler Ashby and Yrette Julianne Hill Selma Stone Franklin Kenneth R Yenni Shao-Ru Cho Wishart Barbara Fleming Lalas Brown Sherry Ewing Chris/ Nicile Stuart Barbara H. Greenleaf Lee Werbin Shirley and Richard Barbara Uenzke Lila Davis Barcus Wolfsnare Plantation Barbara Wool Linc and Joyce Neal Shirley Dowdy Bill Reid Bergohee Lora Hatt Shirley Rudoplh Lisa McDonnell Betty L Lachman-Tucker Louise McManus Sid Edelwar Susan Whitaker Beverly Allen Margarita Linman Steve Fulton Beverly Johnson Margene E. Sullivan Stu and Patsy Saul Woodhurst Bob and Jane Mote Marie Larzelere Susan and Peter Gerame Sharon Godfrey Bob McCombs Marjorie Marx Tim and Jayne Rodriguez Bob Sage Mary Anne Griffith Tommy and Sybil Griggs Woods of London Bridge C Balcom Mary Lou Everton Tony Mediei Rebecca Silverstein Carl McClees Mary Martha Hayes Valarie Jones Abigail Devall Carolyn and Chuck Mel Rungo Wallace Cottrell Alicia Cohen Kraus Landry Micheal and Nancy Weyman C. McCoy Jr. Alona Oquike Carolyn Hawxhurst Alyssa Davis Carolyn Little Pearl Neighborhoods Amanda Justus Catherine Ibarra A Pearl Neighborhood is a local Virginia Amber Copeland Cecelia Williams Arya Nair Kathy Botte Valorie Sankey Christine Rafal Beach community that desires clean and Ashley Haller Kathy Freeman Valorie Sankey Colin & Anne Calvert healthy waterways. To qualify, the neighbor- Bella González Kierra Gilliam Virginia French Cynthia Lieck hood must have at least 30% of their homes Betty Reese Kim McClernon Wilda Cuninghame Dan Ferucci Bianca Artis Kristin Bowen Daniel J. Arris be Pearl Homes, offer a LRNow education Candace Baird L Katie Morrisette OWLS CREEK Darrell and Claudine opportunity, and complete at least one Carol Volkringer Laura Hanes WATERSHED Patton environmentally focused community project. Carolyn Burbank Laura Moran ...... David and Theresa Carolyn Pulley Lauren Jackson Ocean Coastal Netherton This program reminds us that it is not only Cassidy Giammaria Leslie McCleland Watershed Dixie L Johnson our individual responsibility but also our Cherie Brogan Leslie Nelson North End Don Beaman community duty to work together. We can Cheryl Trahan Leslie Nelson Hannah Pierce Don Bersing Christina Adams Lindsey Asbury Katie Johnson Don Wernick make a greater impact towards a healthier Coulborn Lynn Hunter Nancy Rios Donna Hudgins environment if we reach out to our neighbors Crista Ewell Margaret Bejma Ron Asher Doreen Stewteville and work as team for a better tomorrow. Dana C Fallin Marlene Antrum ...... Ed and Joy Phillips Dawn Hrelic Mary Willis Rudee Inlet Watershed Edwina D. Walsh Debi Kesler Melissa Prate Birdneck Woods Ella Netta Hathaway Deborah Stoyko Miriam Weathers Donna Kinney F. Lee Werbin Diana E. Ferguson Misty Neal Cementher Frances Kohanek Eko Setiyowati Mittie Burnham Lakewood Frances Purpura Elizabeth Stocks Nancy Eleftheratos Randi Riesbeck Frank and Julie Barrett Evan Urmy Nancy McNeeley Frankie B. Clay Ian Graham Nikysha Warren Oceana George and Eiko Ikonen Irene E. Jones Rebecca Carter Ashleigh McNeil George Chagetas James Smith Rebecca Robins Heather Husted Gerrie Green Jamie Holland Renet Ross Gerrie Lopest Janna Goliff Ruben A. Sanchez Sawgrass Condominiums Gilbert L. Noal Jennifer Grant Sarah Hall Carrie Bosseler Gloria Bell Jeremiah Clark Stacey Richman Stephanie Van Petten Harriet Olsen Jeremy Murray Stacy L. Hux Helen Beilbe Jess Fraser Stefanie Newlin Seatack Helen Dixex Jonathan Kyle Logue Susan Lawson Joy Mason Jack & Anne Minnick Julius Hayes Susan O’Connell Jack Stokes Karen Blanton Suvee Foose Shadowlawn James Denson Kathleen Conley Teresita Peria Diane Payne James K. Donson

10 Willam and Teresita Renee Garrett Scoop the Poop Clint Cholish Salem Woods Crowe Corey, Ali & Baker Muns Candace Boyd William Hargrave Bellamy Manor Estates Through multiple studies we found that Deanna Nevling Cheryl Beardsley Winifred P Smouse Whitney Robinson 60% of the excess bacteria in the waterways Debbie Jewell-Seawright Courtney Carr Yvette Fiore was coming from our pets and birds, ducks Delores Gresalfi Kelly Fletter Bellamy Plantation Donna Enos Lauren Salas Back Bay Lagomar Jan A. James and geese primarily. There are two things Donna Gorman Danielle Hunn that we can do to control the bacteria that Elisah McGee Southgate Bellamy Woods enters our waterways from these sources: Eric Nichols Joanna Dann Birdneck Lake Colleen Cahill Hollie Sarnoski Sarah Almeidy Tracy Sykes Erica Pero scoop the poop every time, everywhere and Jeff Rooney Tamara Duggar Kathy Reingruber do not feed wildlife. Jeff Swallow Creeds The average dog produces .75 pounds Jeffrey R. Bickel Spence Crossing Meshell Woliver Blackwater Jennifer Haefner Kimberlie Petrulis Ashley Vance of solid waste per day. There are an estimat- Jennifer Scott Tobey Pedroza Lago Mar ed 60,000 dogs in Virginia Beach. That is John & Kathleen Rooney Wendy Moore Angela Bogdanowicz Brandon 45,000 pounds of waste per day that ends John & Kelly Cosentino James McCall Alyssa Harmon Joyce Brehm Stratford Chase Amanda Kelly WBrigadoon up in our waterways if we do not handle Julie Hayden Brooke Patterson Jen Kepka Brenda Green it responsibly. On top of that, one adult Justin and Heather Courtney Parziale Celeste Greene goose produces approximately a pound of Cashwell Lotus Garden Ed and Leslie Ullom Kaizen Schleyer Sunstream Alice Thayer Eddi Betcher droppings per day. Geese are invasive. Think Karen Strogylos Elaine Simpson Mirasol Kelly Dey about how many you see a day. They only Kelly & Michael Chin Renee Bosher Kristy Thomas stay here because we’ve made it so nice for Kim Turner Victoria Park April Stilwell Victoria Kelley Kimberly Zaleski Carrie Williams them, feeding them, and providing a nice, flat Lin Rose Patty Capewell Ocean Lakes Buckner Farms lawn habitat. Linda Edwards Kinsey Boyer Bernadette Parris If we all clean up after our pets in the Lisa and Fred Barranger Wood Farm Sandra Caldwell Jeri Blythe Lisa McKenney Michelle M Klepk Scott Carlson park, on the beach and in our own yards, and Megan Carlson Seth Edwards Charlestown stop feeding the wildlife, we can reduce this Melanie Frederick Woodbridge Pointe Andy Underwood source of dangerous bacteria in the waters Michael Geluso Monica Staples Pinehurst Estates Debra P Wanzong Myrna Shuey Randy Sparling Karin Grice where we swim, kayak, and fish. It is that Pam Kersh Woods of Piney Grove Kimberley Temple simple and that important. R.C. McManus Amy Cross Pungo Lisa Mikulka Rachelle Ingram Adina Gadell Audrey Hodges Roxanne & Ed English Archana Thangavel Jennifer Nannery Charlestowne Lakes Sam Gassel Beth Stone Robert Arbuckle Cathleen Coward Sarah Orebaugh Blackburn Cheryl Schroler Seth & Diane Larson Brett Greenfield Red Mill Mary Lawrence Stephanie & Joshua Brittney Murrell Alice A. Hatfield Jones Carmen Orellana Katie Warnock Christopher Farms Drive Stephanie Jones Carson Kuehn Melissa Murphy Declan Donnelly Steve & Lisa Winter Caryn N. Beckwith Michelle Shoffstall Stohrer Family Catherine Gallucci Rebekah Kelly Cobblestone Terrace Sue & Tim Bradley Christina Williams Susan Thuma June Hartman Todd & Gina Lane Courtney Phillips Tonya Simoes Dawn Williams Sawyer Lakes Courthouse Estates Valerie Clark Desi R. Spratling Rachel Jennings Joe & Vickie Etheridge Donna Wilson Rhonda Kinley Hillcrest Farms Midway Manor Princess Anne Woods Erin Pastoric South Shore Estate Stacey Moore Angela Taylor Carrie Buxton Erin Zeder Ginger Jansen Cubbie Ingraham Diane Tarkenton Israel Figueroa Heather Cohen Coventry Rock Creek James Maddox Upton Estates Elizabeth A. DeCarlo Holland Pines New Castle Darek Dabbs Jenny Maugeri Janice Hart Karen Slagle Anthony Fabrizio Reina Custodio Julie Wood Tinisha Williams Eagles Nest Carol Stein Kari Wandersee Ashley Swenson Tom Sola Hunt Club Forest Rosemont Forest Katrina Sawyer Brooke Graham David Clark Ocean Lakes Michele King Kelly Gressley Christina Lane Foxfire Hannah Stanford Russell S. Haller Michelle Reitz Khalid Eltigani Desiree West Andy Stark Kimberly Peterson Pine Ridge Linda Strain Donna Quick Lisa Alconcel Alex & Jared Shields Royal Pointe Mia Roberts Elise Hipp Lisa Coleman Indian Lakes Alison Ailiff Hilary Ho Sang Myecole Braswell Maria Cooper Amy Babines Alison Lane Naya Parker Mary Flannery Glenwood Erin Whitt Amy Mallinson & Family Salem Nikecha Lewis Dalton Morgan Wernecke Bailey Stadler Jack Babcock, Jr Amy Pratt Brittany L. Smith Pamela Blount Terri Maurice Diana Smith Kelly Pecura Andrew & Rebecca Denise Kerry Raleigh & Vera Manley Tonya Krecker Hilary Ho Sang Hailey Julia Bland Renee Garrett ...... Johanna Cunning Lake Christopher April Smith Roseanne Jacob North Landing River Joni Swanberg Christene Mitchell Ashley Puvogel Salem Lakes Sandra Medina Watershed Matthew Calsada Becky Rhame Christina Hodges Shannon Pearson Acredale Merrill Wahaba Lincoln Military Housing Bill & Barbra Willis Ryan Murnane Starr Pierre Amy Mackiewicz Nikeia Pittman Jessica Sorenson Charles franklin Zhihan Carpenter Jennifer Lepley Terra Luckett Cheryl Dill Salem Villages Madison Crossings Chris & Shawnea Heather Wade Alexandria Highland Parish Averi Zalabak Roberts Jessica Newell Miechele Rivera-Hall Cindy & Aaron Peckham

11 The Albemarle Watershed

A watershed is the land area that drains into any particular body miles in the southern portion of our state or 25% of the land area of water. Do you know your watershed address? of Virginia. The waters in this watershed affect Virginians in many This is an important question in Virginia Beach and the more ways than they likely realize. This area is rich in farmland answerA may surprise you. Two-thirds of the land area in Virginia and recreational opportunities. Perhaps most importantly to us, Beach drains south into the Albemarle- Pamlico watershed. Often called our Southern Waters, it is made up of the Back Bay and North Landing River watersheds and is part of the Albemarle-Pamlico system. In Virginia Beach, we are sandwiched between the two largest estuaries in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay to the north and the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary to the south. And our actions and decisions not only affect our local waters, but also have an effect on these two important estuaries. The Virginia portion of the Albemarle watershed is made up of three river basins: the the drinking water for Virginia Beach is sourced from within the Roanoke, Chowan, and Pasquotank. These river basins include Albemarle watershed coming from Lake Gaston, which is located thirty-eight Virginia counties and cities and roughly 10,500 square on the Roanoke River.

The Back Bay, North Landing River and Northwest River watersheds are all part of the Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed.

12 The Albemarle watershed contains many different waterfowl during their annual migrations. ecosystems and their diverse and unique sets of flora and fauna. The ocean beaches south of Sandbridge are some of The watershed spans from the Atlantic coast in Virginia and the most pristine on the east coast and important as sea turtle North Carolina well into the mountains, with habitats ranging nesting sites. from open estuary and coastal marsh to densely forested The North Landing River watershed has been dubbed “The upland piedmont. Green Sea” for its vast expanses of marsh. The North Landing Our own Albemarle areas, Back Bay and the North River flows southward, rapidly widening in its lower reaches Landing River, reflect that diversity. Farmland, conserved before emptying into Currituck Sound just south of the Virginia – forestland, developed suburban tracts, vast marshlands, sand North Carolina state line. The North Landing River is part of dunes, open water, and long expanses of ocean beach can all be the Intracoastal Waterway, a major inland waterway running found in the southern watersheds in Virginia Beach. along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States. Much Back Bay is a large body of mostly fresh water lined by of the land surrounding the river is owned and protected by marshes, shrubby wetlands, and swamps. The entire embayment various public, private, and nonprofit conservation organizations, is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a relatively narrow comprising roughly 15,700 acres under easements held by federal, barrier island, which has historically been breached and broken state, local, and nonprofit partnerships. repeatedly, creating temporary inlets. Since the closing of The North Landing River and its tributaries have been Currituck Inlet during a storm in 1830, Back Bay has changed from designated by the state and city as a Scenic River. a tidally influenced saltwater estuary to a wind tide dominated There is much to celebrate and protect in our southern fresh and brackish estuary. Back Bay is renowned for the bounty watersheds. Whether you enjoy delicious strawberries in the of waterfowl that visit every winter. Back Bay Wildlife Refuge is spring, the beautiful waterfowl that visit our area each winter, or managed to best accommodate these winter visitors and is home walking on pristine beaches, the Albemarle part of our city has to swans, snow geese, many species of ducks, ibis and other much to offer all Virginia Beach residents. Erik Moore - Mouth of the Blackwater - Mouth of Erik Moore

13 Highlights From 2018: Total involvement in all LRNow programs last year was 24,783 • 5,019 Volunteer Hours Contributed • Over 120 community programs involving 11,029 citizens • Our waterway cleanup volunteers removed 8,002 pounds of debris from our marshes and waterways • In the first year of the Notable Tree program, we identified and marked92 Tier One trees • We expanded our water quality testing program to 16 sites. Thank you Citizen Scientists • City of Virginia Beach invested $13.6 million in water quality improvements: $8.6 million through public works projects and $5 million through public utilities projects • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Restoration Plan was funded. Phase I will restore: 9 acres of wetlands along Thalia Creek; 7 acres of underwater grasses in Broad Bay; 8 acres of fish habitat in the Lynnhaven Inlet • LRNow and CBF receive $400,000 in funding to build sanctuary oyster reefs in the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven • Our shell collection program, SOS, collected 2,700 bushels of shell for future sanctuary oyster reef work • We have 92 Pearl Schools city-wide with 9 new schools in 2018 • LRnow did 68 programs for students and teachers in 2018 • We added

857 new Pearl Homes for a total

of 4,657 Pearl Homes city-wide - Mark Winterstein An Egret lands in the marsh at Pleasure House Point

14 Lynnhaven River State Of The River Report For 2018 Our overall grade for 2018 is a B. 2017 2018 WHERE WE WHERE WE INDICATOR GRADE GRADE ARE IN 2018 WANT TO BE

Bacteria B B 48% meets the shellfish standard; 91% 100% of river meets the shellfish harvest meets the swimmable/fishable standard standard and 100% swimmable/fishable

Nitrogen & D D 90% impaired; incremental Nitrogen & Phosphorus levels that meet improvements in water clarity in Broad Phosphorus SAV habitat requirements Bay

Dissolved Oxygen D D 90% impaired 0 impaired square miles

Water Clarity D C- POLLUTION Areas of widgeon grass have been Sediment and Algae levels that meet detected in Broad Bay SAV habitat standards

NDZ in effect; 8 certified marinas; NDZ in effect, 8 certified marinas, Clean Boating B B- pumpout at the City Marina is still out annually increasing gallons pumped out of service

New Funds for A A- $1.8 M in the Lynnhaven; $8.6 M city-wide Water Quality $3 million per year 31% of watershed treated; 100% of total watershed treated with Stormwater C- C stormwater management Treatment 43 new BMPs added in 2018 Sanitary Sewers B- B 5 sewer overflows; 1,629 gallons spilled; 0 sewer overflows per year, 0 gallons CONTROL 173 septic systems, down 20 from 2017 spilled, & 0 septic tanks remaining of

POLLUTION 11,600 C+ B- Oysters 120 acres of 152 acre goal; 250,000 oysters per year transplanted, 152 Good-excellent settlement on all oyster total acres of sanctuary reef, 300 linear feet reefs of new oyster shoreline per year

Open Spaces & B- B- Open space: 4,000 acres, Public Access No significant changes in 2018 Public Access: 15 Public Access Sites

Wetlands A- A- GWIC students planted 4,394 sq ft; 0 permitted losses per year, increasing Through permitting: 181 sq feet net gain number of living shoreline projects each non-vegetated; 1,646 sq ft vegetated year

Riparian B Reduced number of variances per year;

HABITAT Buffers No information available for 2018 2/1 net gain of buffer; 100 linear feet of new buffer each year.

Underwater F D Small areas of widgeon grass Grasses detected in Broad Bay 175 total acres

Educational A+ A 121 programs; 11 Pearl Faith Communities 80 programs per year, 15 Pearl Faith Programs (2 new in 2018); Communities (5 new per year), Annual Fall Festival and 2 Candidates Forums Fall Festival, Candidates Forum

Coverage 22 times; 3 new sections on our Coverage 18 times per year, Facebook A A+ website; Followers—Facebook: 3,562, followers: 400 new per year, E-News Media Attention Instagram: 1,030. 50 newsletters; 6,700 Subscribers: 400 new per year subscribers Membership: 10,000 Membership: 5,000 Membership & A+ A+ Involvement—24,783 Involvement: 30,000 Involvement Volunteer Hours: 5,019 3,000 Volunteer Hours 857 new Pearl Homes for a total of 4,657 Pearl Homes: 500 new per year

AWARENESS 92 Pearl Schools with 62,600 students; 100 Pearl Schools, 10 programs per year, School A+ A+ 68 Programs involving 13,754 students Participation from all watershed schools Participation and teachers

15 The Pearl School Program: The Power Of Partnerships

This past year the Virginia Beach Education Association (VBEA) by the excess nutrients found in animal waste. With the help honored Lynnhaven River NOW’s Education Department with of local partners, a plan for cleaner water has come to Larkspur the Whole Village Award. This Award recognizes the support Middle’s stormwater pond. A generous grant from Aveda Tthat LRNow has given to Princess Anne Middle School through has allowed Lynnhaven River NOW to purchase and install a the Growing Wetlands in the Classroom Program and the Floating Wetland Island with all the needed materials, including Trashion Show. In both of these programs, LRNow acted as the wetland plants grown out by students at Kempsville Meadows catalyst that brought organizations such as Dollar Tree, Aveda Elementary School. and Lynnhaven Mall together with the schools to increase their A Floating Wetland Island (FWI), created from recycled understanding of sustainability leading to great stewardship plastic, resembles a giant scrubbing pad with holes across projects. This is just one of the many schools that count LRNow its surface for plants. The root systems of Cardinal flower, as a Partner in Education. Below, you will learn about two other Pickerelweed, and Soft Rush grow through the island, drawing wonderful partnerships that took place in the 2017-2018 school their nourishment from the very thing causing the green scum, year. If your organization or school would like to partner with excess nitrogen from the large quantities of goose poop. As the LRNow on a project, please contact the Education Department plants take up the nitrogen, they flourish leaving less for the algae ([email protected]). Together we can make a difference in to consume. the lives of the students and in the health of the watersheds. On the day of the installation, community partners came together. Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation staff delivered the Floating New Ideas about Clean Water Floating Wetland Island, students from Kempsville Meadows ES Turtles sun themselves on the outflow pipe of the stormwater (KMES), along with volunteers from Aveda and LRNow, planted pond at Larkspur Middle School. Geese float lazily across the the plants they had so carefully nurtured since February. pond’s surface as cars whiz along the busy roadway, buses Later in the day, students from Larkspur MS arrived and come and go, shuttling the students in their daily routine. This finished planting the plants, adding pine straw mulch to the large pond was built to hold the rainwater that runs off the island, and wrapping it in goose fencing to protect the plants parking lots and land surrounding the school. Pollutants such from geese. as oil, animal waste, dirt, heavy metals from the cars and trash Student and teacher response to this project was are pushed into the pond with rainwater during storms. In the overwhelmingly positive. Gary Sanchez-Rivera, an 8th grade summer a skin of green algae coats the surface of the pond, fed student, said that “He was very glad to be able to be a part of

...... King’s Grant Elementary School Trantwood Elementary School Schools by Watershed Kingston Elementary School Virginia Beach Friends School Lynnhaven River Watershed Larkspur Middle School Virginia Beach Middle School Adult Learning Center Linkhorn Park Elementary School White Oaks Elementary School Alanton Elementary School Lynnhaven Elementary School Windsor Oaks Elementary School All Saints Day School Lynnhaven Middle School Windsor Woods Elementary School Brookwood Elementary School Elizabeth River Watershed Cape Henry Collegiate Arrowhead Elementary School Cox High School Brandon Middle School Dey Elementary School College Park Elementary School First Colonial High School

Malibu Elementary School Norfolk Christian School-Beach Lower School Old Donation Episcopal Day School *Old Donation School (aka Brickell Academy) Fairfield Elementary School Great Neck Middle School Pembroke Elementary School Hebrew Academy of Tidewater Green Run Collegiate Pembroke Meadows Elementary School Kempsville Elementary School Green Run Elementary School Plaza Middle School Kempsville High School Green Run High School Princess Anne High School Kempsville Meadows Elementary School Holland Elementary School Rosemont Elementary School Kempsville Middle School Independence Middle School Thalia Elementary School Norfolk Academy Lower School

16 helping the environment.” Another 8th grader, Jasmin Galan, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, secured an commented that “She loved that we were able to do something UVA Sustainability Grant to study the effects of Floating that could make a difference in cleaning up their pond water.” Wetland Islands on the water quality of Landstown’s On the way back to KMES, the Kindergarten teacher, Ruth Kral, stormwater management pond (also known as a BMP). It is overheard her students saying, “I helped the earth.” “I’m a good not uncommon to see algae covering parts of the pond in helper.” “Can we go back and see the island in the water?” “Can the heat of the summer due to the influx of goose poop and we do it again?” Mrs. Kral reported that from start to finish, run-off from the parking lots and lawns surrounding the pond. her students were engaged and excited. When they touched Through this grant, two floating wetland islands were planted the FWI and learned that it was made from recycled bottles, it out and launched into the BMP pond near the bus loop in the helped them to understand what recycling water bottles meant. back of Landstown HS to see if they would make a difference “This was the best day ever! We had parents who went with in the algal blooms and water quality. us who also learned and enjoyed the process,” Kral reported. Water samples are taken weekly and sent to the Virginia Wrapping up her evaluation, she added “Who knew what a Aquarium for testing for nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, difference 50 wetland grass plants could make? The project and coliform bacteria. On site temperature is taken along with impacted our whole school (other classes became interested photos of the FWI and the pond for later comparison and when walking by the Grow-labs), my young learners, and their correlation with the data. The results of the study are being parents who volunteered along the way, as well as other staff in shared not only with the University and Landstown HS students, the school. It was an amazingly empowering learning experience but also with students at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, for all!” who are looking at the possible addition of a FWI in their BMP. Larkspur Middle School and Kempsville Meadows became Data analysis will help in determining the effectiveness of the Pearl Schools for the first time as a result of this project and FWIs and guide future plans for stormwater management in the many more, helping to bring the number of Pearl Schools to 92 in upcoming school year. This grant gives students a chance to be the 2017-2018 school year. part of an authentic scientific study that will yield data useful to Down in the North Landing watershed, another other schools, as they work to improve the health of BMPs across partnership for clean water was formed between Landstown all Virginia Beach watersheds. Dr. Greene is also mentoring the High School, LRNow and the University of VA. Dr. Celeste Bishop Sullivan green club “The Environmental Crusaders” as Greene, an Associate Professor in the University of VA they work towards becoming a Pearl School.

Point O’ View Elementary School Williams Elementary School New Castle Elementary School Providence Elementary School Owls Creek/Rudee Inlet Watershed North Landing Elementary School Renaissance Academy Birdneck Elementary School Parkway Elementary School Strelitz Early Childhood Education Center Cooke Elementary School Princess Anne Elementary School St. Gregory the Great School Seatack Elementary School Princess Anne Middle School Tallwood Elementary School Rosemont Forest Elementary School Little Creek Watershed Salem Elementary School Bayside Elementary School Salem High School Bayside High School Salem Middle School Bayside Middle School Strawbridge Elementary School Diamond Springs Elementary School Tallwood High School Hermitage Elementary School

North Landing Watershed Advanced Technology Center Barefoot Kids Christian Day School Centerville Elementary School Christopher Farms Elementary School Creeds Elementary School Back Bay Watershed Luxford Elementary School Glenwood Elementary School Corporate Landing Elementary School Newtown Elementary School Indian Lakes Elementary School Corporate Landing Middle School *Old Donation School Kellam High School Ocean Lakes Elementary School (aka Brickell Academy) Landstown Elementary School Ocean Lakes High School Shelton Park Elementary School Landstown High School Red Mill Elementary School Thoroughgood Elementary School Landstown Middle School Three Oaks Elementary School

*In more than one watershed 17 Climate Change And Virginia Beach

Whatever your thoughts about climate change, the waters are rising and our weather Sea level rise and flooding – is changing in Virginia Beach. This is the biggest challenge that our city and region what can you do? faces, perhaps the biggest challenge that we have ever faced. It is complex, broad, not Wthe same in all areas of the city and changes are Educate yourself • Attend the city meetings and other happening rapidly. presentations on the effects of climate There are many reasons why Hampton Roads change on our communities and Virginia Beach are particularly vulnerable. We • Use the resources on the LRNow have a lot of low lying land and flat topography. Our website and the city website to better annual precipitation is increasing. Our land is sinking understand the issues from both natural and man-made causes. And changes in ocean temperatures are affecting changes Protect your own property from in the movement and speed of the gulfstream right risk off our Atlantic coast. • Know your elevation and your vulner- If you put all of these factors together and abilities add to it our growth in population over the past 100 • Buy flood insurance years and all the impervious surface that brings, we • Put your HVAC unit on a platform have a problem. • Install flood vents in your foundation But it is not a problem without strategies and • Have your septic system inspected solutions. The City of Virginia Beach has taken a very regularly strategic approach to understanding the predictions for our city and our specific risks. • Have your well water checked regularly Three years ago, the Dewberry Group was hired to thoroughly study this issue. The data available from their work is very impressive. They are helping us better understand our Look at options on your own various watershed dynamics and assessing our risks down to the individual neighbor- property that help with water hood level. At the same time, the city is doing a companion study on our stormwater in- quality and water management. frastructure, where it is adequate and where retrofits may be needed. This is the science Join our Pearl Home and Pearl and information we need to develop a comprehensive toolkit of strategies. Neighborhood programs. Some solutions may come from engineering and stormwater system improvements • Install rain barrels and cisterns and retrofits. Some solutions may come from zoning changes and land conservation • Reduce turf grass and replace with measures. Some may be at the individual property or neighborhood level. Some will planted beds be natural or nature-based like wetlands restoration, living shorelines, oyster reefs, and • Plant trees riparian buffers. But all must be based in good science and endorsed by an informed • Install an infiltration trench or rain citizenry. Doing nothing will not be a viable option. garden • Plant native plants • Install a living shoreline with a riparian buffer • Remove all toxins from flood prone areas like the garage floor

Reduce your energy consumption • Weatherize your home by installing new windows or additional insulation • Plan trips in your car to reduce the miles that you drive • When you need a new vehicle, consid- er gas mileage. Will a hybrid or electric vehicle work for you? • Buy locally produced goods and support our local farmers

18 Forest Conservation Study

Natural and nature-based strategies are part of the toolkit for deal- ing with the impacts of climate change. Nature-based strategies may be some of the easiest and least expensive to implement. NThey will not provide all of the protection that we need, but are one strategy that we need to explore. Nature-based strategies include living shorelines, oyster reefs, riparian buffers, and forest conser- vation. Trees perform many functions. They intercept and soften rainfall, lessoning erosion. They stabilize soils and take up and store vast amounts of water, and they transpire releasing that water back into the atmosphere slowly over time. LRNow is proud to be a partner with the City of Virginia Beach, the Nature Conservancy, the Department of Forestry, and Virginia Tech University in a study that will help us better under- stand and quantify the role that the conserved forests in our city play in managing water and mitigating flooding. If we better understand this role and have good science to support our assumptions, we hope to be able to use conservation of existing forests and reforestation as mitigation strategies in many areas of our city. This is exciting, ground-breaking research with practical applications for planning for our future. Watch for presentations on this study during 2019.

19 A Healthful Lynnhaven One Sustainable Yard At A Time

From Kings Grant to Great Neck, from Thoroughgood to property. Infiltration Thalia, the story was the same. “I have always wanted to trenches can even be install a rain barrel in my yard but I just couldn’t afford hidden under a shallow Fit” or “There were always other priorities.” In early 2018, layer of turf which can Lynnhaven River Now was finally able to change some of be mowed like any those “somedays” into other part of the lawn. “today” through a cost LRNow personnel and sharing grant made contractors determined possible through the the most effective City of Virginia Beach. placement of these This program, the Pearl fixtures to maximize the Home Sustainable capture and retention Yard Program, provided of stormwater runoff. qualifying homeowners Three infiltration trenches were installed under the Sustainable in the Lynnhaven Yard Program treating more than 3,300 square feet of drainage watershed the area. These fixtures were installed at a combined savings of opportunity to install $12,000 to the homeowners. best management Jennifer Cryan of the Great Neck area received one of practices that reduced stormwater runoff, or improved ten rain gardens installed through LRN’s program. She extolled stormwater runoff quality as it left their yard. the benefits of the program to her garden club members at a The Sustainable Yard Program served a total of 73 recent meeting explaining, “We had several contractors come residences in 2018. Soil was sampled at 30 residences across out to help us deal with the flooding we were experiencing in the the Lynnhaven watershed; 23 of those properties participated backyard. Nothing they did worked. I was so impressed when at a higher level, getting a Pearl the LRN folks came out. They Lawn Plan. The Pearl Lawn Plan looked at the yard scientifically provides homeowners an Urban 73 residential projects and determined that a rain garden Nutrient Management Plan would be the best treatment – and which is detailed information were completed in 2018. it worked! I am thrilled.” Rain on the meaning of their soil gardens are gardens designed to tests, what their lawn is lacking specifically hold stormwater on a and how to promote the best More coming in 2019! property and allow that water to growth to repair the lawn percolate through the soil slowly, area without impacting water quality. These results could be aided by the roots of native plants. The 10 gardens planted as implemented by the homeowner or by their lawn care team. a part of this program will treat over 37,400 and saved those Those Pearl Lawn Plans were developed at a combined savings homeowners $40,000. of $8,400 to those homeowners. The first year of the LRN Sustainable Yard Program was The Rain Barrel program provided 30 125-gallon rain barrels a huge success and we installed to homeowners throughout the watershed for a total look forward to another cost savings of $9,000 on the barrels and installation. Stormwater great year in 2019. This was treated in over 11,000 square feet of drainage area in the program succeeded watershed. The Thomas residence received a rain barrel through through the hard the program and exemplifies how beautifully such a treatment work of our generous can fit into a home’s volunteers who were décor while functioning dedicated to helping to retain stormwater. their neighbors improve The Cooper or reduce stormwater household received the runoff and the oversight first Infiltration trench and management of of the Sustainable Yard Restoration Coordinator, Program. Their trench Trista Imrich. Thank you all for all that you do! is a great example of Thank you City of Virginia Beach for the grant funding that how unobtrusive these supports this program. fixtures can be when If you live in the Lynnhaven watershed and are interested placed along a fence in having your yard evaluated for this program, please visit the line or at the back of the website at LRNow.org or email [email protected].

20 Mark Winterstein - A Blue-grey Gnatcatcher Stares Down a Caterpillar at Stumpy Lake - Grand Prize winner Prize - Grand Lake at Stumpy a Caterpillar Down Stares Gnatcatcher - A Blue-grey Mark Winterstein

21 Atlantic Shores: Pearl Neighborhoods Start With Good Neighbors

In the fall of 2017, the Green Team of Virginia Beach’s Atlantic educational talks and encourage their neighbors to adopt Shores Retirement Community sat around their table with responsible, sustainable practices to help protect their natural the Pearl Homes Coordinator from Lynnhaven River NOW to resources. Snuggled firmly in the Back Bay watershed along Red Idiscuss becoming a community of Pearl Homes. Much to their Wing Lake, Atlantic Shores Retirement Community has many excitement, Lynnhaven River NOW had recently launched a new opportunities to protect the local waterways of Virginia Beach. program that could recognize their entire community for their The Green Team individual and communal sustainability efforts. The Green Team recruited over 30% embraced the idea and Atlantic Shores Retirement Community of their residents became the first Pearl Neighborhood in Virginia Beach. This is as Pearl Homes their journey: to finalize their A new initiative had residents working with facility qualification as the managers to convert public and private living spaces to LED first Pearl Home lighting. The Green Team, comprised of a dedicated group of Neighborhood in residents and facility staff, had bigger plans. Atlantic Shores Virginia Beach. already boasted a wonderful “Victory” garden area which After months provided small gardens plots for individuals to grow fresh food of hard work and for themselves and to share with others. Courtyard gardens were dedication, the Green Team, facility managers and residents were added in Atlantic Shore’s Harborway Assisted Living and Seaside able to improve Atlantic Shores’ footprint on the local landscape. Health Center facilities to provide fresh herbs and vegetables for The Green Team received the very first Pearl Neighborhood the facility kitchens. Rain barrels were installed to provide natural award on behalf of the Atlantic Shores Retirement Community. water to the gardens while helping to control stormwater runoff Lynnhaven River NOW is thrilled to recognize this mighty from the property. community for their commitment to making a difference in their The Green Team and LRNow worked together to provide Virginia Beach community. Steve Daniel - Dog vs. Crab vs. - Dog Daniel Steve

22 Advocacy Stephanie Johnson - Shall We Dance? - Shall We Johnson Stephanie

LRNow works with our elected officials and community leaders action on these authorizations, but we expect permits to be issued to advocate for good environmental policy at the local, state and soon. Not only is this potentially deadly to marine life, it is also the federal levels. We also invite you to participate in a variety of first step to opening up these waters through a lease sale. Lprograms on public policy issues that we offer throughout the There are many reasons to oppose drilling off of the Virginia year including our Candidates Forums each fall. In addition, we coast. They include: encourage your participation in programs offered by our partners, • Seismic testing and drilling are extremely dangerous and Virginia Conservation Network and Choose Clean Water potentially deadly to marine mammals and other ocean wildlife. Coalition, at the state and regional level. • Tourism is a major contributor to our economy in Virginia Beach and could be devastated not just by a major spill, but also by the Seismic Testing and Offshore Drilling for cumulative impact of the small spills that are a part of day-to- Oil and Gas day oil and gas drilling operations. We are all tired of this issue, but despite the pervasive opposition • Healthy local seafood is important to all of us and employs up and down the east coast, it will not go away. Our own many who make coastal Virginia their home. Crabs, oysters, Governor and Attorney General have expressed their strong clams and commercial and sport fish are put at great risk by opposition as they appreciate the detrimental impact this would drilling operations. have on Virginia, our coastal communities and natural resources. • NASA’s activities at Wallops Island on the Eastern Shore of During 2015 and 2016, we worked hard with a wide range Virginia will be compromised by oil and gas activity in the of partners to oppose seismic testing and drilling for gas and Atlantic off the coast of Virginia. oil off the coast of Virginia. At the end of 2016, the seismic • And lastly, the U.S. Navy has identified most of the area off the testing permits for the Atlantic were rescinded and the lease coast of Virginia as critical to their training activities which do sale withdrawn. It looked like we had prevented this potentially not mix with oil rigs and drilling operations. destructive and For these reasons, LRNow has taken a position in detrimental activity in opposition to seismic testing and offshore drilling. We the Atlantic Ocean. appreciate the unwavering support of Governor Northam. We However, after also appreciate the support of Senator Kaine, Senator Warner, Donald Trump took Congresswoman Luria and our City leadership. office in January, Please help us keep up this fight by letting our elected 2017, he opened up officials at the local, state and federal levels know that you oppose all of the waters off moving forward with both seismic testing and offshore drilling for the American coasts oil and gas and that this issue is important to you. to leasing by oil companies and we began our work again Candidates Forums to prevent this from happening. In fall 2019, all of our General Assembly In late 2018, NOAA issued Incidental Harassment representatives will be up for re-election. This Authorizations to five companies who want to do seismic testing promises to be an interesting year for all of us. in the Atlantic. These authorizations are necessary for the seismic Just like with our City Council elections in 2018, testing companies to receive a permit to conduct testing because there may be many candidates, some new to all of of the detrimental effects of this testing on ocean life, especially us. Please watch for announcements regarding our Candidates marine mammals. The current government shutdown has slowed Forums in fall 2019 and be an informed voter.

23 The Virginia Beach Notable Tree Program

Virginia Beach has a rich history. But none of the historic places and protect us from the winds of storms. And they provide a in our city are as old as some of our old growth trees. They have safe home for so many other species that we enjoy and depend survived for centuries as the world around them changed. You upon. It is hard to imagine what our city would be like without mayV have your favorite tree in our trees. your neighborhood or on your The best time to plant a tree was The City of Virginia Beach daily commute. These trees has a comprehensive Urban are an important part of the twenty years ago, the second Forest Management Plan that you background of our lives. can review on the city’s website. They quietly do so many best time is today. Their analysis of our current tree things for us. They purify the ~ Chinese Proverb cover indicates that we have a air and provide the oxygen that 36% canopy and they have set an sustains us. They consume large amounts of water, gradually ambitious goal of 45% tree canopy by 2034. As important as releasing some of it back into the atmosphere. They help to it is to plant new trees in our city, we know that it is even more clean our water and stabilize soils. They produce fruits and nuts important to conserve our forested areas and mature trees. for our consumption. They shade our homes, saving energy, With that thought in mind, LRNow staff member Brent James

Live Oak in Kempsville Cherry Oak in Blackwater Southern Red Oak in Kempsville Laurel Oak in Bayside

Willow Oak in Back Bay Northern Red Oak in Watershed Willow Oak in Bayside Willow Oak in Little Neck Kings Grant

24 created the Virginia Beach Notable Tree program. Oak in the Blackwater area of southern Virginia Beach. It was The purpose of the Virginia Beach Notable Tree (VBNT) measured to have a 320-inch girth and is a contender for the program is to identify, catalogue, memorialize, and publicize National Big Tree Champion among Cherrybark Oaks. Based those largest Old Growth trees that are the hardy survivors of on the standard growth formulae for determining tree age, this our Old Growth Maritime forest. We hope that our children and magnificent tree is estimated to be 450-550 years old and thus children’s children will recognize predates the arrival of Captain and appreciate these trees that “Forests are the lungs of our land, John Smith and the Jamestown have continued to thrive through colony, and may possibly predate many generations and every purifying the air and giving fresh the arrival of Christopher challenge that came their way. Columbus in the New World. It is They are the oldest living things strength to our people.” very likely the oldest living thing in our city, and as such should be ~ Franklin Roosevelt in Virginia Beach. highlighted and revered by our We are amazed by the residents and visitors alike. number of beautiful old-growth trees that we have identified In this, the inaugural year of the VBNT, we made 164 site this first year of the Virginia Beach Notable Tree Program and visits to evaluate trees that we found or that you, our members, look forward to continuing this work in 2019. You can learn told us about. From those site visits, 91 of our Old Growth trees more about this program and how to nominate your special tree have been awarded Tier 1 status which means they are 75-99% on our website, LRNow.org. the size of the State Champion Trees of their species. We have Trees provide us with many benefits necessary for survival, also identified five Special Category Trees which have some including clean air, filtered water, shade, and food. They also interesting historical, community, or biological uniqueness or give us hope and insight, and the courage to persevere – even significance. in the harshest conditions. Trees teach us to stay rooted while The Grand Champion tree found so far is a Cherrybark soaring to great heights.

– INTERESTING FACT – A mature tree can consume as much as 100 gallons of water in one day. An old growth tree can consume up to 250 gallons of water in a day.

Jamestown Some of our Virginia Beach Notable Settlement Trees are Very Old. This timeline will 1607 help you understand how old. 1600 1650 3 Ponce de Leon sights land near 1 Clean Water Act St. Augustine 1972 5 1750 1800 1950 2 16 29 1500 1550 1700 Rachel Carson's 2000 2019 25 Silent Spring Revolutionary War was published 1775 10 Numbers in black 1850 1900 represent the number of Yellowstone National Park marked notable trees in Protection Act Virginia Beach (The nation's first national park) 1872

25 Profile Of A Pearl Business

Making a Difference in Virginia Beach’s Great Outdoors “Here’s another piece of trash for the bag,” a focused father Company, works as hard to model sustainable behaviors for his instructs his teens as they clean a stretch of woods located staff as he does his children. Store associates are encouraged behind the historic Francis Land House off Virginia Beach to participate in environmental stewardship projects such as HBoulevard. Bundled against the cold temperatures of early the above cleanup. For Great Outdoor Provision Company’s spring, they slowly pick their way through soft ground and staff, the connection to the local environment is personal but it downed trees to fill their bright orange trash bag with sytrofoam is re-enforced throughout the value set of the entire company. and plastic deposited throughout the year by flood tides and Courtney Miltz, Sportswear Manager, has embraced this core careless hands. After a couple of hours of work, they meet back value and now serves actively on Lynnhaven River Now’s with the group where his coworkers greet him and his children, Stewardship & Access Committee, participating in cleanups comparing the discarded finds and experiences of the morning. and other activities as often as she can. Each is feeling a Zach once expressed “Great Outdoor Provision Company sense of satisfaction truly believes in taking care of these outdoor spaces so we have for a job well done, them to explore and play in.” This stewardship ethic made Great but also a sense of Outdoor Provision Company an ideal candidate for Lynnhaven pride in representing River Now’s Pearl Business program. Whether minimizing energy their local business use, providing eco-friendly products, or giving back to Lynnhaven in this impactful River Now and our local environment, Great Outdoor Provision volunteer effort. Company exemplifies the spirit of stewardship and is a model Zach Roberts, Pear Business. Shop Manager at If your business would like to work with our Pearl Business Hill Top’s Great Coordinator to become a Pearl Business, email [email protected] Outdoor Provision or visit our website for more information.

26 First Landing State Park 64th Street Shelter And Garden

In spring 2018, we constructed a shelter in First Landing State • GMF+ Associates and Architect Chris Elam for providing the Park in the 64th Street boat ramp area. If you are familiar with design and overseeing the construction the park, you know that this is a very popular spot and that it • Beck Roofing for donating the roofing material Ioffers some of the best views of • MSA and Charles Hall for the Broad Bay, the Narrows and tools, expertise and labor to Linkhorn Bay. The shelter offers see the project to the end visitors a place to relax, enjoy • Dollar Tree for the donation some shade and take in those of plant material through spectacular views. our Growing Wetlands in the This was a great project Classroom Program made possible through the We thank all of the hardy support of many different people volunteers who gave up several and a whole cadre of volunteers. full days to make this happen. • REI and the Hampton Roads I hope you will enjoy using it Rotary Clubs provided and watch for the installation financial support of our vegetated roof soon.

27 Hats Off To Our 2018 Donors You Make All of Our Work Possible.

...... Individual Donors F. Dudley & Connie Edward & Kay Shiflett Corey Ramstad Reese & Melinda Lukei Fulton General Membership, and Family Frank & Gloria Gurdziel Dana & Mike Wheeler Reid & Harriet Ervin Couples and Individuals Foundations Helen Dragas & Lewis Huib & Ankie Keizer Deborah Gibbs Richard & Sandy Aaron Myers Leadership Level -- Webb Burroughs Jacqueline Cooper- Demaris Yearick 10,000+ Jim & Karen Sparks Aida Schimmel Byrtus Robert Fuchs Dorothy Lester Andrew & Barbara Fine Jim & Lisa Metcalfe Alan & Brenda Stein John & Ruth Martin Robert Waddell Edward & Ruth Legum Bob & Janice Wells Jim & Susan Lang Alan Rohanna Karen Wolff Robin Ray Ellis & Klara James Dave Jester Joan Brock Allen & Susan Wilson Lisa Sinclair and Sandie & Ellie Campbell, Frank & Barbara Tierney Hap & Becky Chalmers John “Dubby” & Susan Bob Sinclair, Virginia II Ann Marie Deel and John L. Sinclair Gale Bryant Northam Inaugural Wynne Sandy Doyle Anne & Dave Zobel Foundation Committee Gayle Nichols John & Julia Parker Sarah Self-Kyler Anne Heyniger Louise Nagourney & The Dalis Foundation George & Frances Sadler John & Nancy Watters Shelby & Jeff Loeb Anne Jett ...... David Bruster John Drescher George Kotarides, Jr. Legacy Level -- 5,000- Mac & Susie Walston Shelby Culver Anne May Johnny & Janet Ellis James & Elizabeth Allen 9,999 Matt & Karen Fine Shelly Clevidence & Fred Anne-Therese Alexander Karen Forget James Bowhers Wurster Floyd E. Kellam Jr. Family Mike & Mary Taylor Arlene Repham Fund of the Hampton Keith & Kim Curtis Jan Dillard Sid & Wendy Vaughn Roads Community Peter & Lynn Schultz Arthur & Janet Bartlett Laura and Jerry Miller Janet & Jim Ramsey Steve & Kathleen Stasulis Foundation Rick & Cathy Callahan Arthur Jones ...... Lillie & Joe Gilbert Jeffrey & Paulina Steve & Sally Herman Robert & Laney Brown Ashley and Jeff Smith Thompson Sustaining Level -- 2,001- Lori Fanney Terri Gorman Robert & Margaret Lloyd August Armstrong 4,999 Jeremiah Denton, III Louis & Pru Ryan Thomas & Susan Robert Miller III Barbara Price Bob & Marion Taylor Jim & Betty Villers Summerlin Lynn G Zoll Fund of the Ron & Donna Ripley Barry M. Dursk Gene & Sharon Ross HRCF John & Frances Tim and Paige Barrow Susan Ippolito Huenerberg Becky Conner Harry Lester Marina J. Liacouras Tom & Judy Moore Terry Perrel & Sidney John and Gayle Greene Bee Friedlander Irene & Randy Sutton Mark & Ginny Tom Deppe Wenger John Bowhers Bernard Platt Ken Sutton Costenbader Trey & Lex Oglesby Thomas & Merry Watts Keith Bangel Betsy & Clayton Nugent Steve & Sally Herbert Michael Minter Vada Baker Tom & Ann Ackiss Kimberly Yanck Betty Barrett Virginia Cochran & Hugh Patricia Jennings & Walida Miller Richard Thurmond Walida Miller D. Ruessegger Kristen Swingle Beverley Weisman Walter Worrall Peter & Alicelynn Fisher Walter & Barbara Priest John & Katherine Wynne Kurt Merkling & Grace Bill & Barbara Hearst William A. Cox, III ...... Phillip & Kay Richardson ...... Moran Supporting-- 101-250 Pearl Level -- 1,001-2,000 Preston & Catharine Larry Staunton White Foundation Bank of America Abbey Pachter Lauren Mowbray Charitable Gift Fund R. & C. Dickerson Family Ann Wright Laurie Jones Fund of the Hampton Bill Ford Anne Kellam Roads Community Lawrence Goldrich Bob & Donna Magoon Foundation Barbara Bowhers Charitable Trust Lisa Parks The Ramon W. Breeden, Bob & Carolyn Jones Lorna Bornemeier Bobbie Gunn Jr. Foundation Bob Burns Louis Ray Jones Brent James Zeb & Beth Holt Bob Randall Carrie S. Camp ...... Lynn Coleman Buck & Deb Henry Foundation, Inc. Oyster Level -- 251-500 Mike & Ashley Wilcox Calvin & Connie Jones Chris & Susan French Ann Farley Mike Bowman Carmela Reid Ian Goodwin Barbara Timperlake and Mr & Mrs. John Ingram Jim & Joan Spore Bob Perrine Carol and Michael Mr. & Mrs. C Arthur Donovan Mary Reid Barrow Brooks & Darcel Stephan Rutter III Carol B Laibstain Mike & Linda Barrett Cathy Maston Mr. & Mrs. James W. Carol Hoolker Gentry ...... Charlotte Caplan & Oriana McKinnon Reef Level -- 501-1,000 Michael Brubaker Caroline Webber Patrick & Kathy Herman Bob & Pam Sasser Colin & Patt McKinnon Catherine Clexton Paula McCann Bruce & Lilly Bradley Deborah Otis Chris & Terri Beale Pedro & Deborah Nunez Craig & Gail Cope Dick & Shirley Roberts Chris Work Reed & Kitty Knight Ellis Malabad Durk & Cathy Rigney Constance Owen Mary Lewis - Dinner on the Water - Dinner Mary Lewis

28 Bill & Beth McGloon Chris Anuswith Bill & Beverly Boyer Chris Carpenter & Joan LaRock Bill & Letty Stone Chris Forget Bill & Meg Campbell Christene Mitchell Bill & Pam Pine Christina Wyman Bill & Patty VonOhlen Christine Brugh Bill & Teri Fleming Christine Stafford Bill and Jody Ullmann Christine Westendorf Bill and Linda Schafer Chuck & Carol Weaver Bill and Mary Ann O’Prandy Chuck & Mary Ann Neihart Bill Reid Chuck Weigand Bill Wahab Cindy Rose Bill Wells & Susan Lyon Claire Beasley Bob & Camille Grabb Clay & Holly Bernick Bob & Marion Zabot Clay & Linda Maguire Bob & Mary Mooney Clyde W. Wilcox, Jr. Bob & Pam Thornton Colin & Bonnie Bob & Sara Atherholt, Jr. Hamilton Dix & Jane Wolcott Fred and Sheryl McCall Jack & Linda Taylor Joe Mihlo Bob & Sue Frey Connie Zuidema Dixie Sommers Fredrick Freeman Jack Anglin Johanna Cunning Bob Allen Courtney Miltz Don & Lin Runyon Furman & Caryn Wall Jackie Harkness John & Ann Schmidt Bob Smith Crystal & Terry Gearhart Don & Sharon Sizemore Gail Bridges Jaclyn & Brian John & Betsy Cromwell Bobby Johnston Witthoefft Cynthia & Dave Don Bray Gary & Allison Lakin John & Gillian Trattner James & Elizabeth Allen Bonnie Braithwaite Chapman Don Mildrew Gary & Patricia Leffke John & Jasmine James & Katherine Whitbeck Brian Solis Dan & Dolores Donna Fulcher Gay Aridas Clarke Ostrowski John & Jeanne Carlock Bruce & Margaret Julian Donna Marchant-Roof Gayle Cameron James & Maryann Dana Sizemore John & Patricia Litz Bruce & Nancy Doyle Dorothy Landreth Genny Jacobs Nicholson Daniel & Suzi Wyckoff John & Paula Buddy Barco Dottie Holtz George Londeree James and Martha Demosthenes Daniel Bowhers Jacobs Buzzy & Jo Ann Doug Throp George Walsh John Andrews Hofheimer Danny Bryant James Halvorson Douglas Swingle Gigi Calvert John Murray Carla Jenkins Daryl Mitchell James Kibler Dr. & Mrs. John Morris Gio & Chrys Donatelli John Oliver and Sharon Carol & Al Chewning Dave & Anne Bussiere James R. Early & J. Dylan Hawkins & Emily Glenn & Lynn Carwell Harrell Garland Tillery Carol & Julie Sterzing Dave & Betty Demko Steinhilber Gresh Wall John Payne Jan Pace Carol Conaway Dave & Debbie Eddie & Karen Bourdon Grey & Cathy Martin Joseph Jerauld Meadows Jean Ruffin Carol Dobbins Edgar & Julie MacKinlay Grover & Margaret Joseph Miller Dave & Joanne Young Jeff & Debbie Lou Carol Keller Edward and Kay Shiflett Outland David & Beth Miller Hague Juan & Pamela Ponce Carol Shrader Edward Jacobs & Gwen Gilbert Jeff & Diane Fine Juanita Felton David & Carol Pariser Manuela Mourano Carol Sykes Hal and Elizabeth David & Julia Campbell- Jeffrey Bailey Julia Brock Carolyn & Bill Scullion Eileen Seeley Hamberg Bragdon Jim & Carole Julie and Dale Farino Eleanor Marshall Harriet Baker Carolyn Caywood Christopher David & Nadine Julie Hurst Elizabeth and Donald Harriet Frenzel Carolyn Osmond Costenbader Jim & Ellen Deppe Downs Julie Searcy Harry & Stacey Conklin Carter & Sylvia Luck David Woollen Jim & Linda Richards Elizabeth Cake Kal & Joni Kassir Hazel Zamperini Carvell Taylor Davis & Elizabeth Reed Jim & Mahala Vail Elizabeth Portner Karen & Bruce Heather Hale Casey Lefever Deborah & Dave Jim LaVier Husselbee Ellen Graham Bodsford Henry & Eleanor Watts Catherine Pierce Jim Lowe and Susan Karen Cifranick Emily Hatfield Deborah Anuswith Henry & Martha Compton-Lowe Cathy & Steve Rotch Karen Pernini Emma Boston Hortenstine Deborah Blanchard Joan and Buddy Chantal Dejou Katherine & Bill Spence Debra Chako Empsy Munden Hood Frazier Redfearn Charles & Patti Phillips Kathleen Shambo Dell Young & Laurence Erik, Kerry & Jackie Kisa Hugh & Gwen Meredith Joan Pickett Charles Hall Kathleen Winston Horvath Eve McGrory Ian Forget Joan Stumborg Charles Wright Kathy & Neal Miller Denver & Nancy Hicks Frank & Roberta Cool Ingolf & Anne Kiland Joanne Fish Cheryl D. Dzengeleski Kathy Edwards Diane Fener Frankie and Billy Sykes Isa Cohen Joe & Susan Buchanan Chris & Trista Imrich Kathy Harrison Dianne Willis Fred & Nancy Lowe Jack & Katherine Voss Joe and Marianne Judge

29 Paula Echols Stephanie Nislow William Westendorf Pearl Narelle Steve & Joan Vinson Windsor Shewbridge Peggy Caverly Steve & Lyn Davidson Winston Polhamus Peter & Jessica Schenck Steven & Lynne Winter Peter & Jo-Anne Steven and Nancy Businesses and Tempest Freeman Organizations Petra Edwards Steven Smith ...... Phyllis Tilley Sue Bowser Leadership Level Priscilla Trinder Sue Gates Bay Island Yacht Club Fund of the Hampton Ray Thompson Susan Clements Roads Community Raymond & June Susan Marens Foundation McDaniels Susan T. Mayo City of Virginia Beach Raymond & Suzanne Terry & Linda Ritter Dave Iwans and Michelini Associates Thomas & Suzanne Rebecca Fenska Hubbard Dollar Tree Corporate Rendy Adams Giving Tim & Louise Jeffries Erin “Ellie” Carpenter - Sunset on the Lynnhaven - Sunset Carpenter Erin “Ellie” Renee & Brian National Fish and Tim & Sara Kidd Kay & Maurice Cullen Lloyd & Patricia Kimball Mary Lane & Phil Cheny Alexander Wildlife Foundation Tim & Sharon Devlin Kay Dixon Lon Scofield Mary Picardi & Ernie Rex & Lisa Hamaker Rotary Clubs of Ninness Tina Hazard Hampton Roads Keith & Charlene Bance Loretta Silvia Richard & Cynthia Mary Whitley Haycox Boylan Todd & Betty Howes The Runnymede Kelly & Anna Haupt Lowery & Nani Finley Corportation Mary-Ellen Fidler Tom & Karen Prochilo Ken & Cindy Hartfelder Lynda Gomez & Richard & Janice Felker ...... Stephen Strickler Mary-Perkins Brown Tom & Lisa Kennedy Ken & Diana Veazey Richard Burchette Legacy Level Lynn White and William Matthew Weinstein Tom & Patricia Ken & Michele Richard Fleming Chesapeake Bay Ramsey Hostutler Zimmerman May Lynn Mansbach Rick & Gloria Vizzier Restoration Foundation Mabel Burroughs Tyler Tommy & Miriam ...... Kevin & Elisabeth Mel Melsheimer Rick & Helen Kuhns Foundation Callahan Martingayle Sustaining Level Melodie & Tom Rick Lutz Mac & Holly Duff Ty & Penny Brown Kim Hilbert Middlebrooks Aveda Rick Rickets Mac & Steve Houfek Valerie Kirby Kim Savage Melody Copper Checkered Flag Motor Rita Hughes Mac Sisson Veronica Balzer Car Co. Kim Tayloe Michael & Carol Moore Robert & Sherry Gilson Madeline Finney Victor & Karen Clean Water Campaign/ Kimberlie Young Michael & Michelle Partnership Project Manfred and Ann Gauthier Robert Fuchs Mickunas Klee Wilson Schwarz Oak Foundation Michael Minor Robert Lincoln Vince Bowhers Kurt & Debbie Marc & Cindy Shook Vincent Olivieri REI Foundation Schroeder Mike & Cris O’Brien Robert Meads ...... Marcia Slosser Virginia G. Campbell Lallah Biedenbender Mike & Marilyn Ashe Robert Oliver & Mary Bradley Pearl Level Margaret Dunnington Virginia Jenkot Larry & Penny Moulis Mike & Martha Weirich Roberta Bernardini 30 in 30 Grants/ Keep Margaret Joyner Vivian Swingle Larry Hester Mr. & Mrs. William M. Virginia Beautiful Robin Davis Margaret Reinhardt Cryan Wayne & Marie Old Laura Houston Chesapeake Bay Wine Rodney and Susan Margaret Stouffer Nancy Kesler Wayne & Rita Woolwine Classic Laura Moran Hersberger Marian Childress Nancy Souldourian Wayne & Theresa Great Outdoor Laurie Hasten Ron & Jan Eaton Provision Co Marianne & Scott Nathalie Owen Sawyer LaVonne Ellis Stanley Roy & Katherine J&A Racing, Amy & Nathan Forget Wendie Kalafsky Leroy & Cathy Meunier Jerry Frostic Marianne Caro Will Baker Williamson Nicholas Tempest Russell & Hunter J. Burt Kroger, Inc. Marilyn Horvath and Will Sessoms Lester & Nina Nicole Karlins Don Swift Russell & Pat Proctor Legends of the Fly Fabiszewski Norman & Bernadette William & Aileen Petty Virginia Beach, Inc Mark & Lucy Swingle Sam & Nancy Garrett Lincoln Family Carrick William & Ann Network for Good Foundation, INC. Mark Fink Samantha Odonald Page Fitchelt McCardell Sandy Ogletree Stihl, Inc Linda Crooks Marlene Hunnings William & Crystal Fuller Pam Auble Sykes, Bourdon, Ahern Linda L. Griffin Martha Dennis Sarah Williams Pamela Crewson William & Joan Miller & Levy. P.C., Eddie Linda Lexier Marti and Ellis Malabad Sharon & Ron Nieto Bourdon Pat Gillroy William & Penny Black Linda Lilley Marti Bede Shelby Culver ...... Patricia E. Dolan William & Sandra Warden Reef Level Lisa Langille Mary Anne Decker Shelley & Jeff Loeb Patricia Matarazzo William & Sharon Beck Roofing Lisa Prough Mary C. Moore Sperry and Betsy Davis Patricia S. Quintin Nusbaum Corporation Liz & Keith Maurer Mary Jo O’Connor & Stacey Klemenc Patti and Lee Shawn First Presbyterian Robert Steinhilber William Schlemmer Liz Figari Stan Orchowsky Church Paul G. Lankford William Thomas

30 Thalia United Methodist Little Neck Cove Civic Harriet Baker Eileen Walsh Johnny & Janet Ellis John Moore Church League Peter & Jessica Schenck Beverley Weisman Ann Farley Mary Moore Wheelabrator Mattawoman Creek Joy Lyon William Conjura Semmes & Warner Deborah Ford Technologies Farms Chapman Tom & Ann Ackiss Ann Marie Deel Bill Ford WPL May Farm Garden Club Cynthia & Dave of Kingston Mac Walston Rhonda Sutton Joe Cross White ...... Chapman Operation Doggy Doody Susie Walston Bob & Janice Wells Mike & Ashley Wilcox Oyster Level Ann Mallow Pembroke Meadows & Karen Forget Reese Lukei Alva Wilcox Broad Bay Island Garden Lloyd & Patricia Kimball Shores Civic League Club Bruce & Margaret Julian Lillie Gilbert Mike & Ashley Wilcox Joyce Webber Savor the Olive Il Giardino Ristorante Bob Mooney Russel Burt Caroline Webber Studio Bamboo Kerr Environmental, Sandy Ogletree Hunter Joyce Burt In Memory of Ann & Irvin Gentry Bob Kerr Tidewater Anglers Club Marcia Slosser Donations Mitchell Duke & Trae James Gentry Lake Smith Terrace Virginia Beach Friends November Duty Ian Forget Garden Club School 2017-December 2018 Robert Pownall Martha Dennis Langley & McDonald, Dottie Holtz Virginia Beach Garden Tina Minter Pete & Deborah Nunez Newton Dance Tom Langley Club Julie Hurst Margaret & Oliver Marjorie Smallie Ann & Tom Ackiss McClesky & Associates, Visionscapes Land Becky Conner Joyner Paula McCann LLC Design, Inc., Shawn Calvert Lester Nathan Forget Preston Midgett, II Anderson Lee LeCompte Southern Branch Priscilla Trinder Trista Imrich Demaris Yearick Nursery John Ellis Louise Nagourney & Penny Moulis Sandy Loftin Burroughs UNO’s Pizzeria & Grill In Honor of Bob Nelson David Bruster Chris Forget Edward and Kay Shiflett Ware Insurance Donations Bob Wells Brad Everett ...... November Ann Wright Joan Stumborg Ian Goodwin Susan Meredith 2017-December 2018 Supporting Paula Echols David Woolen Hood Frazier Jim Dobbins Margaret Reinhardt Christ & St. Luke’s Michael Minor John & Betsy Cromwell John & Gillian Trattner Carol Dobbins Episcopal Church Laura Houston Klee Wilson John Bray Edward Snyder Armand Souldourian Church Point Garden Pam Northam Genny Jacobs Margaret & Oliver Club Reed & Kathryn Knight Nancy Souldourian William & Sharon Joyner Diane Fener Combined Charities Nusbaum Bob & Sue Frey Russell Brubaker James & Elizabeth Allen Aaron Myers Doc Taylors & Tautog’s, Mayor William Keith & Charlene Bance Charlotte Caplan & James & Maryann Bill Gambrell Sessoms, Jr. and City Allen Wilson Michael Brubaker Nicholson Patricia Rogerson Council Members Jungle Golf of Virginia Sue Gates Edward Nichols Tom & Ann Ackiss Juanita Felton Beach Edward Bourdon, August Armstrong Gayle Nichols MEDIC Sykes, Bourdon, Ahern William & Ann Nicholas Tempest & Levy. P.C George Walsh McCardell William Donahue Press Wine Bar Heather Hale Bill Johnston Jane Brown Rendy Adams Marianne & Scott A.V. Kreger Right Coast Foods, Bill Stanley Mac Sisson Virginia Beach Silver Macon Brock Gambrell Calvin & Connie Jones Tappers Macon & Joan Brock James & Elizabeth Allen Tempt Restaurant Mitchell Duke Furman Wall, Jr. Lounge Linda Taylor Eleanor Marshall Martha Dennis Gresh Wall Tidewater Master Suzanne O’Donnell Naturalists May Lynn Virginia Beach Native Plant Society Pamela Jacobson & Vince Bowhers Virginia Native Plant Society Harriet & Dave Baker ...... John Bowhers General Membership Lisa Langille Alanton Garden Club Bill & Jody Ullmann Baylake Pines Civic Tina Hazard League Shelby Culver Cape Henry Shores Civic Association Sarah-Self Kyler Cavalier Garden Club Daniel Bowhers Combined Charities Joseph Jerauld Donate Well Barbara Bowhers Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E. Kathy Harrison Junior Virginia Beach James Bowhers Garden Club Christine Brugh Stephanie Nislow Bill Nevin - Sunset Backbay - Sunset Nevin Bill

31 Coming Soon

Reading for the Rivers – During 2019, trained volunteers will be reading carefully selected books on environmental topics in Virginia Beach elementary schools; leading follow-up activities; and providing copies of the books to the schools.

Environmental Film Festival at Zeiders American Dream Theater – LRNow is excited to be working with the Z in Town Center to offer an environmental film festival series in 2019. Watch for more information soon.

Program Office: Brock Environmental Center 3663 Marlin Bay Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Administrative and Pearl School Office: 1608 Pleasure House Road, Suites 108 & 109, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 757-962-5398 LynnhavenRiverNow.org