Lynnhaven River NOW E-News  
June 1, 2016  
Upcoming LRNow Events 

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 8 -- Pearl Home Committee Meeting,
6 PM, Brock Environmental Center

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.
Bird Walk This 
Saturday Morning
at Pleasure House Point
To register: call 757-962-5398 or Dana@LRNow.org

We will meet at the picnic tables under the Brock Environmental Center at 7:30 AM
(weather permitting)

  

River Cleanups 

This 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 
 
Pearl Home
Committee 
Wednesday, June 8
6 PM, Brock Environmental
Center
All are Welcome! 

Our next Pearl Home Committee  Meeting is June 8th at 6 PM at the Brock Environmental Center.  We are working hard to bring the Riverwise Community and SmartTool to Virginia Beach and need your help!
This tool is already used in D.C., Richmond, and Harrisburg to reduce stormwater runoff using rain barrels, rain gardens, permeable pavers, BayScapes, and planting trees.  It is a great assessment and tracking tool that will help us promote good practices. 

Come and learn more about this program and how you can help us bring it to Virginia Beach.   
Please RSVP to  Emily@LRNow.org if you are able to attend or would like additional information  
 

Pearl Home: Tip of the Month

 

RAIN BARRELS 

Are you thinking about all the rain we have had lately?  You can make that rain work for you.  Rain barrels are a great way to reduce the stormwater running off your property and make that water available for your landscape plants when there is not so much rain. 

Two barrels are available from LRNow at our Brock Center Office.  All rain barrels are constructed by  Rain Water Solutions in North Carolina.  They have all the fittings you will need, mosquito netting, large overflow valves and are ready to put under your downspout. 

IVY -- 50 gallons -- $95
green color available

MOBY -- 65 gallons -- $175
black color available

To order, call us at 757-962-5398 or stop by our office at the Brock Environmental Center any weekday between 9:00 and 5:00.


SPAT- Science Preschool Adventure Time
A Few Spaces Remain 
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.

It's Diamondback Terrapin Time

Just today, four nesting Diamondback Terrapin have been spotted at Pleasure House Point.  As one of the only remaining areas on the Lynnhaven that provides habitat that is suitable for our iconic Diamondback Terrapins, it is very important that we protect this nesting site. The female terrapin expend much energy to walk up onto the sand, dig a nest, and deposit their eggs.  If they are disturbed in the process, they will turn back to the wetlands for protection and may not be able to make the trek again.  We need to be respectful of their space.  Here's what you can do to protect our terrapin.
  • Always keep your dog on a leash. 
  • Do not approach or disturb a terrapin that you are lucky enough to spot.
  • Do not disturb an area that you think may be a nest.
  • Do not pick up a baby terrapin that has hatched and is trying to make his way to the wetland and water.
  • Did I say --- always keep you dog on a leash.

Thank you -- we are so luck to have these beautiful terrapin here.  I know you will want to help protect them.

 

 

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.  
 
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

 
 June Native Plant of the Month:
 Phlox paniculata
Garden Phlox 

       

Height: 2-4 feet 
Spread: 2-3 feet 
 Full sun to part shade
Soil: rich, moist, organic
Blooms July to September and
is showy and fragrant 
$10 for 1 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.