Lynnhaven River NOW E-News  
May 20, 2016  
Upcoming LRNow Events 

May 21-26 -- Sensible Seafood Week at the VA Aquarium

Wed, June 1 -- Spat Catcher Workshop, 6:00-7:30 PM,
Brock Environmental Center

Sat, June 4 -- Bird Walk and Nature Hike, 7:30-9:30 AM

Sat, June 4 -- Clean the Bay Day, 9:00-Noon

June 6-10 -- SPAT, Preschool Program

Mon, June 20 -- Summer Solstice Yoga Fest

Sat, July 2 -- Bird Walk and Nature Hike, 7:30-9:30 AM

Sat, July 9 -- Bike Tour

Sat, August 6 -- Bird Walk and Nature Hike, 7:30-9:30 AM

Fri, August 12 -- Walk-In Movie

Sat, September 17 -- Paddle Fest

Mark your calendars now for these fun learning opportunities.

  May

Native Plant:

Buttonbush

$15 for 1 gallon size
$35 for 3 gallon size
 
To Order Contact
757-962-5398

Pearl Home: Tip of the Month

 
WE ALL LIVE ON THE WATER
 
Take Responsibility for 
What Goes Down Your 
Storm Drain
 
The water that drains from all of our properties goes back into our lakes, creeks, and rivers.  You can find the storm drain closest to your property.  The water goes into a pipe and is carried to the closest body of water.  It carries with it the fertilizer, pesticide, dog waste and other pollutants it encounters.
 
To reduce the pollutants leaving your property:

Sweep your gutters and keep them free of soil, leaves and other debris.
 
Do not put oil or anything other than rain water in the storm drain.  
 
Always clean up after your pets even in your own yard.  

Use fertilizer and pesticides sparingly or not at all.

Redirect your downspouts to drain into a planted bed never onto a sidewalk or driveway.

Community
Events 

Sensible Seafood Week at the Virginia Aquarium

Sat, May 21, 1-3 PM
Oberndorf Central Library
From Sea to Table: Why Does it Matter?
Presentation and Panel Discussion

Sun, May 22, 2-5 PM
Kickoff Celebration at OConnor Brewing Co.
Join Sensible Seafood partners and chefs.  Tickets $20 per person.

Lunch & Learn with
Marah Hardt
Wed, May 25, 11:30-1:00
Author of "Sex in the Sea"  Free & open to the public

Sensible Seafood Fest
Thursday, May 26, 7-10 PM 
Aquarium's Bay & Ocean Pavilion 
$55 for Aquarium members
$65 for nonmembers

For more information or to buy tickets:
Sensible Seafood Fest

River Cleanups 

Saturday, June 4th 
Clean the Bay Day 
9:00 - Noon   

LRNow will be covering four different locations.  
Email or call us for more information. 
757-962-5398 
 
SPAT- Science Preschool Adventure Time
June 6 -10, 9:00-10:30 Daily 

A wonderful opportunity to learn along with your son or daughter.  There will be programs on plants, butterflies, other insects, ocean creatures, and birds.  Each program has a literature piece, an outdoor learning adventure,
art activities and other fun games.  The program is rain or shine.  In the case of inclement weather, the outdoor adventure will be replaced by a fun indoor activity. 

Children ages 3 to 5 with an adult
Brock Environmental Center
$10 per day or $40 per week

To register you and your child, contact Dana@LRNow.org or 757-962-5398.
Summer Adventures:
         Bike, Paddle, Hike

Fun Events for the Whole Family!

June 20th -- Summer Solstice Yoga Fest at the Brock Environmental Center

Monthly Bird Walks and Nature Hikes at Pleasure House Point -- 7:30-9:30 -- June 4, July 2, and August 6.
 
July 9th -- Family Bike Tour at First Landing State Park
 
August 12th -- "Walk-In Movie" night at the Brock Environmental Center featuring Racing Extinction
September 17th -- Paddle Fest -- River History Tour, Standup Paddle Board Race, Picnic.  Launch from the Brock Environmental Center


For more information or to register for any of these programs, contact Dana@LRNow.org or call 757-982-5398

Become a Spat Catcher
Grow Oysters for Restoration at Your Dock
Workshop: Wednesday, June 1, 6:00-7:30 PM 

spat catchers Help track our recovering oyster population in the Lynnhaven River by becoming a spat catcher!  This project is simple, engaging and educational for the whole family.
Join us on June 1st at 6 PM to learn all you need to know in order to start catching baby oysters (called spat) from your dock this summer.

Larval oysters drift around in the river over the summer as they seek habitat.  As a Spat Catcher you will suspend two small cages from their dock (or a friend's dock) in order to catch them on the materials we provide.  All you will need to do is hang the cages from the dock, shake them every few weeks over the summer , and return them in January, 2017.  You will also get a chance to see other creatures that live on an oyster reef.  

The material with the baby oysters will be placed on sanctuary reefs in the river.  

You must pre-register for this workshop and space is limited, so sign up today!
Email Dana@LRNow.org or call 757-962-5398 to register.  Email our LRNow Oyster Scientist, Laurie@LRNow.org, with questions.  
 
May Native Plant of the Month:
 Cephalanthus occidentalis
Buttonbush

 

       

Height: 5-12 feet
Spread: 4-8 feet
Full Sun to Part Shade
Deciduous shrub with white fragrant flowers
Thrives in wet soils; perfect for rain gardens
Flowers attract both bees and butterflies
$15  for 1 gallon size
$35 for 3 gallon size

To order, contact Dana@LRNow.org or
call 757-962-5398


So Many Opportunities to Get Involved in 2016. 
What are you waiting for? 

Donate or
Become a Member Today
  

 Renew your membership and help us continue all of these great programs.