PEARL HOMES are places where people care about our environment and want to do what they can to help protect our resources.
Brock Environmental Center
3663 Marlin Bay Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Contact# 757.962.5398
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.
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.
If you have questions please call our office (757) 962-5398 or email Helen@LRNow.org–You can also sign up to volunteer by calling (757)962-5398.
Waterway cleanups occur monthly on the 2nd 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.
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.
Interested in learning more about waterway cleanups? Watch Chris Reckling’s Reck on the Road: Lynnhaven River NOW video.
This program is possible thanks to LRN’s dedicated Stewardship & Access Committee Volunteers.
February 13 Canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions – Kempsville (Elizabeth River watershed), 9 am – noon
March 13 Princess Anne Road in the North Landing watershed, 9 am – noon. Land-based cleanup. Participants limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.
April 10 Beach Garden Park (Lynnhaven watershed), 9 am – noon. This will be a land- and water-based cleanup. Kayakers and canoes are expected to bring their own gear. Some loaner kayaks may be arranged in advance. Participants limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.
April 22 Earth Day Cleanups, 4 – 6 pm. Register for these Earth Day cleanups by clicking the location below at which you wish to participate. Each site is capped at 50 volunteers. These cleanups are land-based cleanups.
ViBe Park (Rudee/Owl’s Creek watershed) hosted by ViBe Creative District and Lynnhaven River NOW
Rudee Loop (Rudee/Owl’s Creek watershed) hosted by Keep It Beachy Clean and Eco Maniac Company
17th Street Park (Atlantic/Small Coastal watersheds) hosted by the Virginia Beach Hotel Association
31st Street Park (Atlantic/Small Coastal watersheds) hosted by Atlantic Avenue Association
Norfolk Ave Bike Path (Rudee/Owl’s Creek watershed) hosted by Desmond’s Island Soul Grill
May 8 Owls Creek Boat Ramp (Rudee/Owls Creek watershed), 9 am – noon. This will be a land- and water-based cleanup.
June 5 Clean the Bay Day at Little Creek Reservoir at Chalice Christian Church (Little Creek watershed), 9 am – noon. This will be a land- and water-based cleanup.
July 10 Plastic Free July at Lake Windsor, Mount Trashmore, (Lynnhaven watershed), 9 am – noon; This will be a land- and water-based cleanup.
August 14 Munden Point Park (North Landing River watershed), 9 am – noon. This will be a land- and water-based cleanup.
September 14 International Coastal Cleanup Day at Lake Holly (Rudee/Owls Creek watershed), 9 am – noon. This will be a water-based cleanup with limited land opportunities.
October 2 Ocean Lakes (Back Bay watershed), 9 am – noon. This will be a land- and water-based cleanup.
November 13 Thalia Kayak Launch (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon. This will be a water-based cleanup with limited land opportunities.
2022
January 8 MOCA (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon. This will be a land-based cleanup.
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.
SUSTAINABLE YARDS PROGRAM: 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 to you.