Youth
Resilience
Projects

Kids of All Ages are Helping Restore the Elizabeth River

Youth Resilience Projects are submitted annually and students are recognized for their hard work.
Kids of all ages and abilities work by themselves or in groups to address some of the river’s biggest challenges, like flooding, sea level rise, habitat restoration, and water quality.

All kinds of environmental projects.
For every kind of kid.

  • Composting
  • Erosion Control
  • Flood Control & Drainage
  • Habitat Restoration
  • Invasive Plant Removal
  • Native Trees & Plants
  • Oyster Gardens
  • Pollinator Gardens
  • Rainwater Gardens
  • Recycling & Waste Reduction
  • Renewable Energy
  • Water Quality Testing

Our Impact Since 2019

74
Resilient River star schools
158
PROJECTS COMPLETED
12,814
Students & Counting

Youth Resilience Projects 2025

Congratulations to the 33 schools and groups that completed Youth Resilience Projects this year! We had over 4,000 students work on environmental action projects this year, including oyster gardening, composting, restoring eroded shorelines and adding almost 100 native plants to schoolyard habitats.

We are so proud of every student and teacher who helped to improve the health of our watershed this year. All schools will receive beautiful recycled glass awards and certificates to recognize their efforts. You are all truly shining stars!

2025 Youth Resilience Project Videos

We’re so excited to showcase our 2025 Youth Resilience Project Participants! Watch their video submissions to see how they’re tackling local environmental challenges.

2025 Resilient River Star School Accomplishments

1,000+ Wetland Grasses Planted
1000+ lbs of plastic film recycled
6 recycling containers implemented
92 native plants and trees planted
18,000 oysters grown
1000+ pounds of waste kept out of a landfill by composting
4400 worms used in composting
10 Habitats enhancing items to increase biodiversity

Congratulations to ALL the 2025 Resilient River Star Students and Schools

  • Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
  • Blair Middle School
  • Brighton Elementary School
  • Camp E.W. Young
  • Christopher Academy
  • Churchland Academy Elementary School
  • Churchland Elementary School
  • Churchland Primary and Intermediate School
  • Cradock Elementary School
  • Granby High School
  • Hickory Elementary School
  • Hodges Manor Elementary School
  • Horizons Hampton Roads
  • Kent Family Academy
  • Lakeview Elementary School
  • Maury High School Garden Club
  • Midway Manor Youth Program
  • Nauticus Youth Action Council
  • Norfolk Academy
  • Norfolk Christian Schools
  • Ocean View Elementary School
  • Park View Elementary School
  • PPS Oyster Project
  • Pugh Homeschool
  • Sail Nauticus
  • Simonsdale Elementary School
  • St. John The Apostle Catholic School
  • St. Patrick Catholic School
  • Tarrallton Elementary School
  • The New E3 School
  • Victory Elementary School
  • Waterview Elementary School
  • Westhaven Elementary School

Get Ready for Youth Resilience Projects 2026!

Students tackle some of the river’s most important challenges to understand it better and help it heal. Get your student or group started on a Youth Resilience Project today! Grant funding may be available for project supplies.

Project information due May 8, 2026. All projects will be recognized as Resilient River Star Schools and shared on our website!

Name(Required)
What topic will your project focus on?(Required)

Youth Resilience Projects and Resilient River Star School Funding made possible by: 

The Blocker Foundation, Beazley Foundation, Roaring Brook Family Foundation, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, and TC Energy.