Waterway Cleanups

Lynnhaven River Now hosts cleanups along our Virginia Beach waterways every month (except December) to remove marine debris, improve water quality and keep our city’s waters healthy and safe. Cleanups may be land-based, water-based or a combination of both depending on the location chosen for any given month. Please know what type of cleanup you are signing up for so that you understand what to expect when you arrive.

Cleanups are usually held on the second Saturday of every month, unless a date is change to coordinate with a partner event. Most are family friendly.

Results of Lynnhaven River Now’s cleanup efforts are available here. For additional information visit Waterway Cleanups

 Please register if you plan to participate in a cleanup so you do not miss important information. Coordinators email details about meetup locations, dress, safety concerns and weather updates to registered participants by email.

Please scroll past the schedule for more information about what to expect at your upcoming cleanup.

To register, please click HERE.  If you have questions please call our office (757) 962-5398 or email office@lrnow.org.

Cleanup schedule & details:

 June 1 Hutton Circle Kayak Launch (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a water-based cleanup. Participants must provide their own kayaks and safety equipment. Families are encouraged to participate.

Lynnhaven River Now is excited to hold this cleanup in conjunction with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s 31st Annual Clean the Bay Day along with thousands of groups across Virginia.

July 13 Carolanne Farms Park (Elizabeth River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a land- and water-based cleanup. Participants wishing to clean from the water must provide their own kayaks and safety equipment.

Families and community groups are encouraged to participate.

August 10 Thalia Creek Kayak Launch (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a water-based cleanup. Participants must provide their own kayaks and safety equipment. Families are encouraged to participate.

September 14 Dozier Bridge Kayak Launch (North Landing River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a water-based cleanup. Participants must provide their own kayaks and safety equipment. Families are encouraged to participate.

October 5 Lake Windsor (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a land- and water-based cleanup. Participants wishing to clean from the water must provide their own kayaks and safety equipment.

Families and community groups are encouraged to participate.

November 9 First Landing State Park (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a land- and water-based cleanup. Participants wishing to clean from the water must provide their own kayaks and safety equipment.

Families and community groups are encouraged to participate.

 

2020 Cleanups:

January 11 MOCA (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a land-based cleanup. Families and community groups are encouraged to participate.

February 8 Francis Land House (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a land-based cleanup. Families and community groups are encouraged to participate.

Waterway Cleanups:

Waterway cleanups occur monthly on the 2^nd Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. until noon. Dates may be changed to accommodate partnership and event opportunities. A rain date may be announced for certain sites. Cleanups may be land- and/or water-based. Most cleanups are family-friendly events.

Participants are required to provide their own kayak and PFD (required) for water-based cleanups. Larger watercraft are not appropriate due to the limitations at launch sites.

Appropriate dress and shoe wear are required. Cleanups usually occur in brushy, thorny, and muddy terrain which require full body protection. Closed-toed, sturdy shoes that can get wet and dirty should be worn for land-based cleanups. Water shoes are appropriate in kayaks only. Bare feet are never permitted. Hats, sunscreen, insect repellent and a reusable water bottle are recommended.

Equipment and supplies provided by Lynnhaven River Now at the cleanups include:

Trash bags

Work gloves

Grabbers (limited supply available)

Cleanups are led by highly trained volunteers and staff of Lynnhaven River NOW. Directions and safety information are provided at the beginning of each cleanup event. A first aid kit is always available for minor medical needs. Any unique medical situations should be discussed with the cleanup leader before going into the field.

If dangerous weather cancels or postpones a cleanup, it will be announced on the Lynnhaven River Now’s Facebook  page by 8 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Registered participants will receive an email by 8 a.m. the day of the cleanup.

Volunteers are encouraged to register in advance for cleanups by emailing  office@lrnow.org or calling 757-962-5398.

Interested in learning more about waterway cleanups? Watch Chris Reckling’s Reck on the Road: Lynnhaven River NOW video.

 Stewardship & Access Committee:

The Stewardship & Access Committee is a dedicated group of volunteers who focus primarily on keeping our waterways healthy and safe. If you would like more information about this committee, you can find more information on our Committees page