It takes a community to bring about change and reverse decades of abuse and neglect of our waterways. From getting your boots muddy at a monthly trash cleanup, to encouraging residents to incorporate sustainable practices at home, or assisting with an oyster castle build along a living shoreline…there are opportunities for everyone! Every year, LRNow volunteers dedicate thousands of hours working to protect and preserve Virginia Beach’s waterways and natural resources.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Water Quality Monitoring
Our water quality monitoring volunteers are our every month collecting samples that provide us with valuable data on a wide range of pollutants. In partnership with HRSD, Lynnhaven River Now works with volunteers to collecting water samples at over 20 different waterway sites across Virginia Beach. Water samples are delivered to HRSD for processing and the results are shared and published to provide local community groups, schools, the City of Virginia Beach and state agencies. Email Helen@lrnow.org for more information.

Oyster Spat Catchers
Do you have access to tidal waters in Virginia Beach or know of someone who does? Spat catchers can gather important data that will assist us in understanding spat (baby oyster) settlement in Rudee Inlet/Owls Creek, the Lynnhaven River and tributaries, and Elizabeth River (Virginia Beach only). Volunteers will each receive two small cages, one with oyster shell and the other with an experimental substrate. Next spat catcher volunteer roundup: Spring 2023. Email Helen@lrnow.org for more information.

Don’t see a date or event that works? Fill out our general volunteer sign up and Natasha, our volunteer coordinator, will reach out to you.

Community Service

If you need to fill specific hours, you are welcome to attend any volunteer opportunity.  If you don’t see one that works into your schedule, please email Natasha@LRNow.org.  We may be ale to find an opportunity for you.  Please note, we have community service forms.  Please stop by the office to pick one up before the event.