Lynnhaven River NOW E-News  
July 21, 2014   
Become a Pearl Home and Win Tickets to Next Year's Oyster Roast -- 2,014 in 2014  
Pearl Home Flag
We have surpassed 1,600 Pearl Homes and have set a goal of 2,014 in 2014! 
Become a Pearl Home or recruit a friend or neighbor and you will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to next year's Oyster Roast.

The Pearl Home information and application are available on our website or in our office. If you recruit a friend or neighbor, make sure your name is at the bottom so you are entered into the drawing also.

Help us get to 2,014 in 2014!
VA Conservation Network
Thursday, July 31, 6 PM 
MEO Central Library

Help chart Virginia's energy future.  Join VCN for a discussion on hydraulic fracturing and how it could affect Virginia.  Hear the latest news about how local efforts to protect against the threat of fracking and learn from experts how to ensure your elected officials make the right decisions for your community.   
RSVP: www.vcnva.org or 804-644-0283 
CBF Oyster Gardener Roundups and New Gardener Workshops

If you are currently an oyster gardener, you can
turn in your oysters at either of the dates and times below.  If you are interested in becoming an oyster gardener, you can come at the same times to learn about how to get started.

Saturday, August 2
9:00-11:00 AM
Rescue Squad, Station 14
740 Virginia Beach Blvd
Virginia Beach

Thursday, September 18
6:00-8:00 PM
Norfolk Academy
1585 Wesleyan Drive
Norfolk 

Register in advance at
cbf.org or by calling 757-622-1964. 

Virginia Sweetspire
July Native Plant of the Month

Be a Responsible Pet Owner and  
Scoop the Poop
Scoop the Poop Sticker 
Call or stop by our office if you need a Scoop the Poop sticker for your black city
trash can. 
Shop at AmazonSmile 
and Amazon will make a donation to:
    

CLICK HERE TO

DONATE OR BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Rain Barrels for Schools
Free Rain Barrel Workshop for Teachers
Thursday, July 24, 10:00-11:30 AM

A few spaces remain in a rain barrel workshop specifically for teachers.  Come and build a rain barrel for your school and learn how to install and maintain it.  The workshop is free as long as the rain barrel is going to a school.

To register, e-mail Jody@LRNow.org
or call our office at 757-962-5398. 
River Cleanup -- Hutton Circle
Sat., Aug. 9, 9 AM-Noon

Join the fun and help clean up the river.  We will be gathering at the Hutton Circle Canoe and Kayak launch at 9 AM.  Access to a canoe or kayak is needed to participate in this cleanup.  An empty seat is sometimes available so contact our office if you are interested but do not have access to a boat. 

For more information or to register for this cleanup, call 757-962-5398 or email Dana@LRNow.org.
The next river cleanup is Saturday, September 13th.  .

Lynnhaven River Paddle & Explore
Ages 8-12; August 22, 9 AM - 3 PM

This paddle is a typical Sea Camp day on the Lynnhaven River but will be led by Laurie Sorabella, the Oyster Queen.  Meet at the Crab Creek kayak launch at the foot of the Lesner Bridge and kayak into the Lynnhaven to explore the tidal creeks, salt marsh, sand flats and shallow water habitats.  We'll use nets to learn what's out there, swim in the river and visit the Mermaid Spa.  We should have a nice low tide to explore Bob Marley Island and float down Irie Way.  The Oyster Queen will teach students things about the Lynnhaven that they haven't heard on trips with Captain Octopus. 

For more information go to  http://www.vbseacamp.  To register, email vbseacamp@yahoo.com.
 
Social Media Update: 
LRNow is on Pinterest!

Follow us on Pinterest (especially our "Pearl Home Green Practices" board) for more ways to live a green lifestyle. Click here:  
Find and follow our BLOG here:  
 lynnhavenrivernow.blogspot.com/

1000 Trees for the Lynnhaven
"The creation of a thousand trees is in one acorn" 
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

All of our trees may not have acorns, but we are working hard to get 500 native trees planted in Virginia Beach this year! 

Trees help with stormwater management, provide important habitat to wildlife and insects, shade for enjoyment, clean our air, increase home value (10-20%!), reduce energy costs (10-15%), and are beautiful.

We have a wide variety of native trees available for various size spaces and environmental conditions. If you are uncertain what tree might be appropriate for your yard (or faith community or school!), please contact us or check out plants.usda.gov or arborday.org.

For the complete list of available trees.

To order your tree(s), contact Trista or Dana at 757-962-5398 or Trista@LRNow.org.

We will accept orders until late summer/early fall.  Your trees will be delivered in the fall to take advantage of the best planting season.


 Native Plant of the Month: July
Virginia Sweetspire
Itea virginica
 
Sweetspire will grow to 3-5 feet tall and spread to 3-5 feet.  
It likes both full sun and partial shade and blooms in June and July.
To order a sweetspire plant, call, 962-5398, or email Dana@LRNow.org.  Cost is $8.