Lynnhaven River NOW E-News  
May 7, 2014   
LRNow Events:

May 10 -- River Cleanup

May 15 --6-7 PM -- Spat Catcher Workshop
 
May 22 -- Sensible Seafood at Virginia Aquarium
Volunteers Needed 
 
May 24 -- First Landing State Park Bike Ride

May 31-- Standup Paddle Boarding Oyster Tour

May 31 -- Bird Walk at PHP

June 6-8 -- Trashion Show at Lynnhaven Mall

June 7 -- Clean the Bay Day

June 14 -- Bird Walk

June 19--Sunset Kayak Tour

Free Rain Barrels for Faith Communities

Volunteers Needed:
Sensible Seafood Fest
Tuesday, May 27, 7-10 PM
LRNow is looking for four volunteers to help man our table at the Sensible Seafood Fest at the Aquarium on May 22, 7-10 PM.  You will receive free admission to this fun event.  Contact Trista at 757-962-5398 or Trista@LRNow.org if you are available.

Pearl School Applications
Deadline Extended to Friday, May 16th

We have listened to you, the teachers, and have made major modifications to the Pearl School application process.  Not only have we put the application on-line, but we have simplified the application and added more opportunities to get points by encouraging projects across grade levels and across disciplines.  To access the application, click here:
Pearl Schools.  

Free Rain Barrels
For Faith Communities

LRNow has 9 rain barrels available to Faith Communities in Virginia Beach.  Help your church, temple, synagogue or fellowship become more sustainable and environmentally responsible.  To find out more about the rain barrels or to reserve yours, please contact Pam at 757-962-5398 or Pam@LRNow.org.

Clean the Bay Day
Thank You For Volunteering on June 7th

We will have four cleanup groups out on June 7th in the Lynnhaven watershed as part of Clean the Bay Day.  The four locations are:

Hutton Circle Launch Site -- water based, boat required
Birdneck Launch Site --
water based, boat required
Inlet Fitness/Long Creek --
water based, boat required
Mill Dam Creek -- land based

If you are interesting in registering to help, email CTBD@cbf.org or call 757-622-1964.
 
 
Shop at AmazonSmile 
and Amazon will make a donation to:
    


DONATE OR BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Native Plant of the Month: 
American Wisteria
This beautiful native plant is a good alternative to invasive Japanese or Chinese Wisteria. 

This gorgeous perennial vine has lilac-purple flower clusters and blooms in April and May in Hampton Roads.  It loves full sun and can be planted any time.  And as a bonus, it is the perfect host for the Marine Blue butterfly. 

We can take orders for up to fifteen 12"-15"plants at $10.00 each.  To order your American Wisteria, contact Trista at 757-962-5398 or  Trista@LRNow.org.  We will accept orders until Wednesday, May 28.  You can also look for American Wisteria at your favorite nursery, but please avoid Japanese and Chinese Wisteria. 
River Cleanup
Saturday, May 10  

Come out to our next river cleanup Saturday, May 10, join in the fun and feel good about contributing to a cleaner river.  We will be cleaning in London Bridge Creek in the Lynnhaven Mall area.  We will put in our kayaks and canoes at the Hutton Circle canoe and kayak launch site at Hutton Circle and Virginia Beach Boulevard. Call 757-962-5398 or email Dana@LRNow.org for more information or to sign up. 

Access to a canoe or kayak is required.  There may be extra seats, or openings for a couple of people to do a land-based cleanup.

Cleanups are held the second Saturday of each month throughout the year.  Mark your calendar now to help out.  If you are aware of an area of the river that needs a cleanup, please let us know.  Also, if your business would like to be a sponsor of one of our cleanups, please contact us. 

Spat Catcher Workshop 
spat catchers
Thursday, May 15, Eastern Shore Chapel, 2020 Laskin Road
5:00-6:00 PM for returning participants
6:00-7:00 PM for new participants

Help LRNow capture baby oysters and move them to our sanctuary reefs as well as capture data about spat (baby oysters) distribution throughout the river.  You will need access to a pier for your spat catchers, but they are very easy to maintain.

For returning participants, the cost is $10.  Please bring your spat catcher cages to Eastern Shore Chapel between 5:00-6:00 PM on May 15th and pick up your new materials.

For new participants, the cost is $30.  You will receive your cages, all of the materials that you need and instructions on maintaining the cages throughout the summer.  Join us from 6:00-7:00 PM at Eastern Shore Chapel.

Returning and new participants, please register ahead with Dana@LRNow.org.  For more information, call 757-962-5398 or email Meredith@LRNow.org. 

Thank you for helping with this important program.

First Landing State Park Bike Ride
Saturday, May 24, 10 AM - 1 PM 
Bike Tour Come join LRNow and the Tidewater Bike Association on a fun and educational bike ride.
 
We will be meeting at First Landing State Park's new visitor center, and riding from there. All ages and abilities are welcome.  Helmets are required and riders provide their own bicycles. Box lunches will be provided by Gourmet Gang, and will cost $15/person. Choices include turkey, ham, roast beef, chicken salad, or veggie sandwich.  Call 757-962-5398 or email Dana@LRNow.org for more information or to sign up.  You can also sign up and pay directly on our website, www.LRNow.org. 

Two LRNow Paddling Events
Stand Up Paddling Oyster Tour
Saturday, May 31, 9:00-11:30
Join LRNow and Chesapean Outdoors for a morning standup paddleboard session in Pleasure House Creek focusing on oyster restoration.  See natural oyster settlement and oyster restoration efforts.  Register with Chesapean Outdoors at info@chesapean.com or call 757-961-0447.  For paddlers with their own boards, the cost is $25.  If you need to rent a board, the cost is $40.  Have fun paddle boarding and learn about and see oyster reefs. 

Sunset Kayak Paddling Tour
Thursday, June 19, 5-7:30 PM
Enjoy a beautiful sunset paddling trip with LRNow and Chesopean Outdoors.  Leave from Crab Creek and enjoy the serenity of the marsh islands, the birds and the views.  Register with Chesapean Outdoors at info@chesopean.com or call 757-961-0447.  For paddlers with their own kayaks, the cost is $25.  I you need to rent a boat, the cost is $40.  Is there a better way to spend a late spring evening?
I
 
Bird Walks at Pleasure House Point
Friday, May 31, 7:30 AM

Join us at Pleasure House Point, on of the major stopovers of migratory birds on the Atlantic Flyway, to take a walk through the property in search of birds.  What better way to go bird watching than with an avid Audubon birder at this ideal location.

Our next bird walk is planned for June 14th. 

This event is free, but please register by calling 757-962-5398 or email Dana@LRNow.org. 

NATIVE PLANT OF THE MONTH:
American Wisteria