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Waterway Cleanups

Volunteer to help keep our waterways clean and healthy.

2024 Waterway Cleanup Schedule 

 

March 22, 2024, 9 am to noon – Great American Cleanup at LRNow – Holland Road neighborhood. This is a land-based clean-up. Please wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing and bring a water bottle.

April 13, 2024, 9 am to noon – Earth Day cleanup in the Charlestown neighborhood: This is a land- and water-based clean-up. Please wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing and bring a water bottle. Kayakers must bring their own boat and gear unless otherwise arranged. PFDs are required.

May 11, 2024, 9 am to noon – Love Your Mother (Earth) Cleanup at Thalia Creek Kayak Launch: This is a land- and water-based clean-up. Please wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing and bring a water bottle. Kayakers must bring their own boat and gear unless otherwise arranged. PFDs are required.

June 1, 2024, 9am – noon – Clean the Bay Day at Hutton Circle Kayak Launch: This is a land-based clean-up. This is a land- and water-based clean-up. Please wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing and bring a water bottle. Kayakers must bring their own boat and gear unless otherwise arranged. PFDs are required.

 

For more information call our office (757) 962-5398 or email Helen@LRNow.org

 

 

About LRNow Waterway Cleanups

LRNow hosts cleanups along our Virginia Beach waterways to remove marine debris, improve water quality, and keep our city’s waters healthy and safe. Cleanups may be land-based and/or water-based 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. 

Waterway cleanups occur monthly on the 2nd Saturday of each month, except December, 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. Most cleanups are family-friendly events.

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.

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 at the cleanup:

  • 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, registered participants will receive an email by 8 a.m. the day of the cleanup.

Results of Lynnhaven River NOW’s cleanup efforts are available here.

 

 This program is possible thanks to LRN’s dedicated Stewardship & Access Committee Volunteers.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE ENVIRONMENT
PEARL HOMES & NEIGHBORHOODS

PEARL HOMES are places where people care about our environment and want to do what they can to help protect our resources.

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PEARL SCHOOLS

Lynnhaven River NOW recognizes schools providing outstanding environmental education as a Pearl School.

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PEARL BUSINESSES

PEARL BUSINESSES are essential to truly move towards a more sustainable Virginia Beach and cleaner waters.

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PEARL FAITH

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.

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SUSTAINABLE YARDS PROGRAM

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.

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