Professional development opportunities are available for teachers, in both public and private schools. Follow your school system’s requirements to assure proper credit.
2024 Teacher Adventure Trips – Exploring Albemarle & Pamlico Sounds
Thanks to a grant from the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership, we have the opportunity to explore the watershed with teachers from Virginia Beach through two different adventures:
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2022 was the first year teachers explored this opportunity. In June, a group of five teachers in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools district took a sailing trip from Elizabeth City, NC through the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds and navigated the intercoastal waterways back to Norfolk, VA. Along the way they met with local experts, learn the history of the area, took water quality analyses, and took in the natural beauty.
In July, another group of teachers gathered for a learning experience on land. Educators from VBCPS from Kindergarten to High School met at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to be immersed in nature and spent the night within False Cape State Park. It was a scientific and historical opportunity that was enjoyed by all!
The culminating activity of this experience was a two day writing workshop where teachers from both workshops combined and developed lesson plans to share information on the Southern Watershed. The lessons developed during this time will go through initial testing and feedback from our educators before they are shared with VBCPS and teachers in North Carolina.
CLICK HERE to see the 2022 adventure.
Teacher Oyster Gardener Workshops – By Oyster Reefkeepers of Virginia
This course will highlight the oyster’s critical role in the Lynnhaven ecosystem and prepare teachers to conduct an oyster restoration project with their students during the upcoming school year. At the workshop, we will provide teachers with a lecture on oyster reef biology, history, ecology and restoration, plus we will guide teachers through construction of oyster gardening equipment and use of water quality monitoring tools. For more information about this program, email Laurie Sorabella or call 757-460-1200. Space is limited. The course is appropriate for elementary through middle school teachers who are not currently involved in oyster restoration.
PEARL HOMES are places where people care about our environment and want to do what they can to help protect our resources.
Lynnhaven River NOW recognizes schools providing outstanding environmental education as a PEARL SCHOOL.
PEARL BUSINESSES are essential to truly move towards a more sustainable Virginia Beach and cleaner waters.
We all want to do our part to restore the health of all of our sacred waterways and protect them for future generations to enjoy.
Let us help you “green” your Lynnhaven watershed home. This unique program provides specific stormwater management practices to your yard at a significantly reduced cost.