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The Learning Barge

Celebrating 10th Year Anniversary

HOT NEWS~

 Learning Barge featured in The New York Times!  We're excited to lead off this feature on resilience education, with thanks to all our funding partners. Read article, Teaching Resilience in the Face of Climate Change. 

NEW 2019-2020 Program: Project Blue Crab 

ATTENTION TEACHERS: As of February 2020, only May field trips are still open for Spring 2020 booking. If you would like to book a field trip, please contact Robin Dunbar (rdunbar@elizabethriver.org).

Check out our program VIDEO 

Local news videos:

Elizabeth River Project's Mudflats NEWSLETTER:

The Elizabeth River Project's Dominion Energy LEARNING BARGE is the world's first floating wetland classroom and America's Greenest Vessel. It's a "steward ship," teaching the children of the river environmental stewardship actions and showing how to make the Elizabeth River healthier.

In partnership with the University of Virginia and Matherne Marine Design, the Learning Barge was launched in 2009 and since has booked annually to capacity educating over 96,000, K-12 students and teachers to date. Powered by sun and wind and equipped with live wetlands, an enclosed classroom, composting toilets and a rainwater filtration system, the 120x32 foot steel deck barge is designed to both model and teach ecology, resilience and sustainability to the next generation of stewards that are helping make restoration of the Elizabeth River a reality. 

Check out the map for the barge's latest location and download 2019-2020 Field Trip Flier for the barge's docking schedule.

The best way to schedule a field trip is to download and fill out the Field Trip Request Form and email to Robin Dunbar, Deputy Directior of Education at rdunbar@elizabethriver.org. If you prefer, you can also call 757-392-7132.

The Learning Barge came to being thanks to the generous sponsorship of numerous organizations and individuals. Special thanks go to Dominion Energy, the lead sponsor of the vessel's construction, Lowe's, sponsor of the enclosed River Lab onboard, many special donors, and our generous maritime community that donates countless services for maintenance and tug moves. Also a special thank you to the public and private schools and youth organizations that continue to support the Learning Barge. 

For more info | 757.392.7132 | rdunbar@elizabethriver.org

Keep these efforts growing. Become a member today!

 

 

Downloads for Learning Barge Field Trips

2019-2020 Field Trip Flier
Field Trip Request Form
Agreement Form
Parent Letter
Green Barge
Green Lunch Tips
Chaperone Tips
Donor

More Resources at the Youth Resilience Clearinghouse

 

 

Track the Learning Barge!

The Elizabeth River Project
LEARNING BARGE
made possible by

The Learning Barge - America's Greenest Vessel

 

Meet the Crew!

 

Learning Barge Manager: Summer Brown

Summer Brown graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bacherlor's Degree in Biology and an emphasis on Marine Biology. With over 180 hours of volunteer work completed at the Virginia Aquarium, Summer has developed a passion for all types of marine life and how she can protect them in her day-to-day life. Going in to her 8th season on the Barge, and 6th season as manager, she can't wait to see what the Learning Barge Spring 2020 field trip season has in store!

 

Senior Educator: Kayla Gradwell

Kayla is a Biology graduate from Old Dominion University with a minor in Conservation Leadership. She has previous experience with the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Center working closely with the sea turtles. She also spent Summer 2018 as an intern for the US Fish and Wildlife Service at Lake Mattamuskeet in North Carolina. She loves sharing her knowledge and passion for environmental conservation to the public, and excited for her 5th season aboard the Learning Barge!

 

 

Deckhand Educators – Spring 2020

 

 

Hannah Blackburn

Hannah graduated from Juniata College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental and Education studies. When she’s not on the barge, you might be able to find her at the Virginia Zoo, hiking First Landing State Park, or any number of fishing spots.

 

Maddie Hummel

Maddie received her Bachelor's degree in Marine Science from Rider University, and her Master's degree in Biological Oceanography from Old Dominion University. Her previous laboratory research entailed the study of the production of toxins by cyanobacteria and the affect of those toxins on blue crabs. She has studied blue crab physiology for 6 years. She loves dogs and scooping their poop.

 

Isaiah Hudgins

Isaiah is an undergraduate student at Old Dominion University majoring in Biology. He hopes to achieve a career in conservation and further his knowledge of Virginia's ecology. In his free time, he can be found in the areas state parks attempting to identify plants and mushrooms. Favorite animals: Raccoons and Blue crabs. Favorite plants: Pawpaw trees, Passion flower vines, Muscadine grapes.

 

Jess Haddock

Jess graduated from Old Dominon University with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a minor in Ocean and Earth Sciences. She is passionate about wetland conservation, habitat restoration, and environmental education. When she's not teaching on the barge, she's usually outside working in her yard or exploring the local parks.

 

Victoria (Tori) Dodd

Tori is a Marine Science graduate from the University of South Carolina with a concentration in Biological Science. She has previous experience teaching students hands-on programs at Caumsett State Park in Long Island, New York and worked as a Grants Administrator and Coordinator for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. She is very passionate about environmental education and is excited to connect with our communities future environmental stewards!