PROGRAMS & ORGANIZATIONS
Watershed Restoration Groups
Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation & Preserve
Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation & Preserve
757-686-8684
4510 Twin Pines Rd., Portsmouth, VA 23703
Geographic Area: Hoffler Creek is the only waterway in Portsmouth that connects to the James River. The Hoffler Creek watershed is shared by both Portsmouth and Suffolk.
About/Mission: The mission of the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation is to conserve the last parcel of wilderness in the Hoffler Creek watershed for environmental education research and recreation consistent with good stewardship.
Get involved: Join us in our mission to conserve the last parcel of wilderness in the Hoffler Creek watershed for environmental education, research, and recreation.
Get Social: Like us on Facebook
Good to Know: Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm. Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve is managed for wildlife, therefore, dogs are not allowed on the property. High impact activities such as jogging and bicycling are also not permitted.
Elizabeth River Project
Elizabeth River Project
757-399-7487
475 Water St, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Geographic Area: Elizabeth River Watershed.
About/Mission: The Elizabeth River Project is the only non-profit with the mission to restore the health of the Elizabeth River, one of the most polluted rivers in America. We do it through partnerships with government, businesses – and citizens like you! Our biggest projects involve cleaning up contaminated river bottoms, but projects as small as the household level also make a difference. Join us – as a member or as a “star” in our River Stars programs.
Get Involved:
Get Social: Like us on Facebook
Also Good to Know: Visit Paradise Creek Nature Park in Portsmouth
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
757-622-1964
Brock Environmental Center, 3663 Marlin Bay Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Geographic Area: CBF is active throughout the 64,000 square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed, from Pennsylvania to Virginia.
About/Mission: CBF is the only not-for-profit conservation organization existing solely to restore the Chesapeake Bay, North America’s largest estuary. The Hampton Roads office is located in one of the world’s greenest buildings, the Brock Environmental Center.
Get Involved: Volunteers can help CBF with a variety of projects including oyster restoration, living shorelines, underwater grasses, speakers bureau, Clean the Bay Day and Bay advocacy work. If you have not volunteered before or would like more information, please complete the Volunteer Information Form. If you are already a CBF volunteer and would like more information about current or specific opportunities, call or send an e-mail to [email protected].
James River Association
James River Association
804-788-8811
4833 Old Main Street, Richmond, VA 23231
Geographic Area: The entire James River watershed from the headwaters of the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers to the Chesapeake Bay.
About/Mission: The mission of the James River Association is to be guardian of the James River. We provide a voice for the river and take action to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources.
Get Involved:
- Follow the seven easy steps towards a healthy James River.
- Get more information about volunteer opportunities and on-going programs in the Williamsburg area.
- Become a River Hero Home
- Living Shorelines Collaborative provides assistance and funding for installing living shorelines.
Get Social: Like us on Facebook
Back Bay Restoration Foundation
Back Bay Restoration Foundation
757-619-6429
3022 New Bridge Road, Virginia Beach, VA, 23456
Geographic Area: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge has grown to over 9,000 acres of protected habitat critical to migratory birds and the Atlantic Flyway.
About: BBRF is a non-profit dedicated to the mission of preserving, protecting and improving Back Bay and its watershed.
Get Social: Like us on Facebook
Good to Know: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge provides over eight miles of scenic trails, a visitor contact station, interpretive programming and group educational opportunities. Located in Virginia beach just south of Sandbridge (at the southern end of Sandpiper Road), the refuge is open daily from dusk to dawn.
Lynnhaven River NOW
Lynnhaven River NOW
757-962-5398
Brock Environmental Center, 3663 Marlin Bay Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Geographic Area: Lynnhaven River Watershed – 64 square mile watershed located in northern Virginia Beach.
About/Mission: Our goal is a clean and healthy Lynnhaven River. The Lynnhaven River includes the Eastern Branch, Western Branch, Long Creek, Broad Bay, Crystal Lake, Linkhorn Bay and all of the tributaries, which are all located within Virginia Beach. Lynnhaven River NOW is a grassroots environmental organization dedicated to restoring and protecting all of the branches of the Lynnhaven River.
Get Social: Like us on Facebook
Get Involved: Contact [email protected] to learn about our monthly river cleanups, storm-drain marking, our annual Fall Festival and Oyster Roast, how to join one of our committees, and other events and volunteer activities. Those who live, work or worship in Virginia Beach can join one of the Pearl programs:
Nansemond River Preservation Alliance
Nansemond River Preservation Alliance
757-745-7447
[email protected]
Geographic Area: Nansemond River Watershed (City of Suffolk and portion of Isle of Wight County.)
Mission: Educate and encourage all residents to be environmental stewards to preserve and restore the Nansemond River, Chuckatuck Creek, Bennetts Creek and their tributaries to full health. NRPA’s approach is to form collaborative relationships with community and civic organizations and local, regional state and federal agencies.
Get Social: Like us on Facebook.
Get Involved: NRPA is a member-driven organization and offers a broad range of environmental programs and activities for volunteers to participate. Programs include: monthly water quality monitoring, School Oyster Growers Program, rain garden workshops, living shoreline program, and Annual River and Creek Fest.
Friends of Indian River
Friends of Indian River
PO Box 13772, Chesapeake, VA 23325
[email protected]
Geographic Area: With 25,000 residents, the Indian River neighborhoods encompass five square miles in the northeast corner of Chesapeake, Virginia. The Indian River is a tidal tributary in the Elizabeth River Watershed
About/Mission: The primary goal of the Friends of Indian River is to improve the quality of life for all the residents of the Indian River neighborhoods in Chesapeake, Virginia. These efforts include outreach to the community to promote attractive streetscapes; encourage sustainable gardening and landscaping methods; promote and preserve a healthy and clean river, shorelines, parks, and green spaces connected to the surrounding community; energize local business development; and support broader civic activities to improve the community.
Get Involved: Whether you are looking for volunteer opportunities, an avid gardener, a social web enthusiast, someone who can help with special skills or trades, a resident who just wants to help out, or anything in between – you can help make things better in the Indian River neighborhoods and we would love to have your help in our organization. Visit our volunteer page for more information.
Get Social: Like us on Facebook
Calling All Watershed Restoration Groups
Be a part of the regional conversation at askHRgreen.org by submitting information about your watershed restoration group. We’ll feature your listing on this page so that others can learn about your projects, events and efforts to improve the environment here in Hampton Roads.