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This year’s Youth Resilience Expo tackled some big environmental challenges and made tangible reductions in flooding, river pollution and carbon emissions. Over 1300 students participated in environmental action projects in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.
Congratulations to every student, educator and parent for improving the health and resilience of the Elizabeth River watershed and for inspiring all of us to do our part.
Each school will receive beautiful recycled glass awards for their trophy case displays!
For the past 3 years, The Hague School has been a pioneer for the Elizabeth River watershed. This year, they showcased their commitment to sustainability, community support and carbon footprint reduction with raised garden beds and composting systems.
They saved 386 net lbs of CO2 in their first month of harvesting & composting — that’s equivalent to the CO2 released by driving 440 miles in an average car!
The Garden Club started 1,500 milkweed seedlings in their pollinator garden to support monarch butterflies and other local pollinators!
Students researched the importance of native plants for pollinators and the Elizabeth River watershed. They will be planting 50 native plants at their schoolyard in May!
The Kent Family participated in the water quality monitoring program and learned how to protect the Elizabeth River by collecting litter, installing rain barrels and growing wetland plants!
The Surfrider club conducted shoreline cleanups and used their analytics tool to better understand types of litter left in public spaces. They’ve recycled over 2,000 lbs of material!
5th graders convinced the school to add new trash containers to clean up their school grounds and reduce runoff pollution. They collected over 47.5 pounds of trash!
6th grade summer campers learned why oysters are important to the river’s health and created 10 public service announcements to raise awareness.
Students grew Atlantic White Cedar seedlings and researched growing conditions before planting the seedlings at Paradise Creek Nature Park.
Evelyn conducted research on eutrophication and algae blooms in the Elizabeth River and recommended actions to prevent harmful algae blooms.
Troop 772 planted 1 native tree, 6 shrubs and 40 pollinator plants – and removed invasive plants – to improve soil health, drainage and runoff.
850 Norfolk Public School 5th graders planted 1,000 wetland grasses and removed 100 lbs of litter along the Elizabeth River’s Southern Branch.
The Environmental Club collected over 273 pounds of trash around the school and neighborhood this school year to keep storm drains clear.
Expo 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 Challenge today! Grant funding may be available for project supplies.
Youth Resilience Expo and Resilient River Star School Funding made possible by:
Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Funds from sale of Chesapeake Bay License Plates, Bank of America, Beazley Foundation, Cox Foundation, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Dollar Tree Foundation, Dominion Energy and State Farm.