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.

SIGN UP TO PARTICPATE AT A CLEANUP

If you have questions please call our office (757) 962-5398 or email office@lrnow.org. You can also sign up to volunteer by calling (757)962-5398 or emailing office@lrnow.org

About LRNow 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.

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.

Cleanup schedule & details:

Register HERE for Cleanups and to receive locations details and last minute changes.

March 14 Owls Creek Boat Ramp (Owls Creek watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a land-based cleanup. Families and community groups are encouraged to participate. Water-based is not encouraged unless you are well experienced and equipped in cold weather paddling. Most of the area will be trail edges, parking areas, roadsides with some marsh and forested area to clean.

April 11 Oak Spring Park (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a land-based cleanup. Families and community groups are encouraged to participate. This is open park area with rough terrain along the waterway.

May 9 Thalia Creek Launch (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a land– and water-based cleanup. There are a few boats/equipment available for participants that do not have their own equipment. Boats must be reserved in advance. Land-based cleanup area is limited with difficult terrain.

June 6 Clean the Bay Day Beach Garden Park (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This Clean the Bay Day cleanup is a land– and water-based cleanup. Families and community groups are encouraged to participate. For experienced paddlers without equipment, there are a few boats/equipment available. These must be reserved in advance. There is a variety of land-based terrains including open park and sports fields, marsh areas and roadsides.

July 11 West Neck Creek at Lynnhaven (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a water-based cleanup with some land access. There are a few boats/equipment available for participants that do not have their own equipment. Boats must be reserved in advance. Land-based cleanup area is limited with difficult terrain.

August 8 Hutton Circle Kayak Launch (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a water- and land-based cleanup. There are a few boats/equipment available for participants that do not have their own equipment. Boats must be reserved in advance. Land-based cleanup area is limited with difficult terrain, parking lots and roadside areas.

September 12 Pungo Ferry Landing Boat Ramp (North Landing River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a water-based cleanup with some land access. There are a few boats/equipment available for participants that do not have their own equipment. Boats must be reserved in advance. Most of the land area will be parking areas, roadsides with some marsh and forested area to clean.

October 3 Lake Windsor at Mt Trashmore (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This is a land– and water-based cleanup. Families and community groups are encouraged to participate. For experienced paddlers without equipment, there are a few boats/equipment available. These must be reserved in advance. There is a variety of land-based terrains including open park and sports fields, lake side, marsh areas and roadsides.

November 14 Kings Grant Park (Lynnhaven River watershed), 9 am – noon

This cleanup is a land-based cleanup. Families and community groups are encouraged to participate. Most of the area will be open park area and neighborhood roadsides, with some marsh and forested area to clean.