Lynnhaven River NOW actively partners with schools, both public and private, located within or serving students from the City of Virginia Beach, to provide projects, presentations and programs emphasizing water quality education and environmentally focused curriculums. Schools located in Virginia Beach can benefit from watershed presentations and classroom activities available on request, but subject to availability.

Congratulations to our 2017-2018 Pearl Schools!

Schools must apply for the award each year. They qualify by reaching the required number of points for the various environmental education projects and programs they have completed throughout the year. We are happy to say that each year, the schools qualifying for this award increases, demonstrating that our Virginia Beach teachers are dedicated to offering excellent environmental education opportunities for students in all of our schools.

Many projects can be initiated at schools to add outdoor learning opportunities on grounds while also helping to improve water quality. Schools can install Rain Barrels, Scoop the Poop Boxes, Rain Gardens, or Buffer Gardens to green their school grounds with valuable learning components. Gardening Oysters to be planted on the Lynnhaven River allows students to study living systems and watershed ecology in a hands on, real world restoration project.

In addition to project support, Lynnhaven River NOW recognizes schools providing outstanding environmental education with the Pearl School Award. Any school within Lynnhaven River NOW’s service area is eligible to apply.

Classroom programs such as Growing Wetlands in the Classroom and World Water Monitoring Day offer educators the chance to bring wetland education into the everyday classroom experience.

Professional development opportunities are available for teachers throughout the year in Virginia Beach Schools sponsored trainings as well as independent workshop opportunities.

Students can apply for a various Internships that offer experience working with a grassroots, environmental organization focused on local water quality issues. These volunteer positions provide valuable, real-world experiences that help to enhance college applications and resumes.

Lynnhaven River NOW 15th Anniversary Quilt Project

This quilt project was created in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Lynnhaven River NOW. The theme is “Watersheds and Me”. Students were asked to create a quilt square to represent that theme, whether that be a place, activity, animal, plant, landscape, etc. that embodies their feelings about the watershed and how they are connected to it.

The quilt squares were created with a variety of materials. These materials were chosen to best stand up to the tests of time so that the quilts could be appreciated and admired for years to come. They included:
• Fabric Markers
• Fabric Paint
• Sewing/Applique/Cross-stitch
• Archival Quality Markers
• Crayons
• Acrylic paints

Each quilt square is accompanied with the name of the designer, the school they attend, as well as a brief explanation of the design. The explanation could be a simple description or something more creative such as a poem. This information has been placed in this binder to give an insight into the purpose and reason for the designs. This binder will travel with the quilts to all of the Anniversary events.

Now that the quilts have been put together, we created a digital quilt “binder” that can be viewed online at any time so that this amazing project can be appreciated by a much wider audience. To view the quilt, click on the link below. Simply enter presenter mode and follow the directions on the screen.

http://bit.ly/2lI7D0U

We would like to thank each and every student who participated in this project. This unique piece of art celebrates the relationship between Lynnhaven River NOW and the great schools of Virginia Beach and is a wonderful tribute to the watersheds of the area.

We would also like to give a special thanks to the women who created the quilt. Thank you to Julie Erickson, Norene Skiles, Paula Harr, and Sandy Best to all the work that you put in to create this beautiful work of art.

Is your school a ‘Pearl’ School?

Teachers in the Lynnhaven River watershed are some of the most effective spokespeople for water quality and environmental stewardship in our area. They do a great job not only helping students understand watershed concepts but also in developing an ethic of environmental responsibility.

The goal of the Pearl School Award Program is to encourage and support these efforts of teachers and schools. Through the Pearl School Award program, schools will be able to earn points by carrying out programs and service projects in and through their schools that teach environmental concepts and include an emphasis on our watershed, its unique characteristics and problems. Students are encouraged to take an active role in tackling some of our environmental challenges through service projects in their schools and community.

Schools accumulate points for projects outlined in our Pearl School Program flyer. Projects not included in this flyer can be considered but points will be awarded through the discretion of Lynnhaven River NOW staff. To be eligible for the Pearl School Award, elementary school must accumulate at least 100 points for the first award year and 50 points for each consecutive award year. Middle and High Schools must accumulate a minimum of 150 points the first award year and at least 75 points for each consecutive award year.

To apply, download the Pearl School Informationa & Resources Guied and Pearl School Application.

• 2018-2019 Pearl School Application
• Check out the “Ten Months of Pearl School Activities” for fun ideas!

For questions, call 962-5398 or email Jody Ullmann, LRNow Education Coordinator.

Click here to see past Pearl School Award-winning Schools.

Lynnhaven River NOW and the Elizabeth River Project partner to provide the Growing Wetlands in the Classroom program sponsored by Dollar Tree Corporation’s Corporate Giving program. Lynnhaven River NOW provides the program to schools within the City of Virginia Beach and Elizabeth River Project provides the program to schools within their watershed, with the exception of Virginia Beach schools.
The Growing Wetlands in the Classroom program is a classroom opportunity that allows teachers and students to grow wetland plants in their classrooms and schoolyards which will be transplanted in a local wetland or stormwater area. The program, sponsored by Dollar Tree, covers all of the equipment and plant costs, as well as the mandatory teacher training.
The classes grow salt-tolerant or freshwater wetland plants, depending on the planting locations for that year. The most recent plantings occurred at Mt. Trashmore Park and can be easily seen within protective enclosures (goose fencing) along Lake Trashmore, between the picnic shelters and the main Edwin Drive parking area.

For program specifics, click here.
Dollar Tree Associates work with Kingston Elementary School students to plant Spartina alterniflora (Smooth cordgrass) along Crab Creek at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp. 2008

A lush shoreline of freshwater wetland plants at Lake Trashmore, planted by students from Virginia Beach schools after a summer of growth. 2012

Coming Soon

Professional development opportunities are available for teachers, both public and private, throughout the year. Pre-approval of credit may be required through your principal or school system. Follow your school system’s requirements to assure proper credit.

2013-2014 Teacher Development Opportunities:
Contact Jody Ullmann or call 962-5398 with any questions.