Keeping the Grass Green and the Water Clean
at Big Ugly Brewing
Live music, a couple of beers and a whole bunch of love for Coastal Virginia Conservancy (CVC)! THAT is what happened at Big Ugly Brewing on a lovely evening in May. Friends and supporters gathered to celebrate 20 years of CVC success and to meet the new Executive Director, Helen Kuhns. The Hampton Roads Realtors Association (HRRA) dropped by to present a REALLY big check to CVC. CVC’s community partners and supporters make the work of land conservation and waterway restoration possible.
CVC graciously receives the HRRA Community Grant from its friends at HRRA.
Mary Ann Sanders, CVC Board Chair, Helen Kuhns, Executive Director, and Jennifer Cool, Board Secretary, trying to put the big HRRA check in the donations box.
CVC’s friends enjoying time together at Big Ugly Brewing.
CVC Restoration Manager Dave Koubsky catching up with former Board Chair Diana Bailey.
Newton Neck Park
Volvo Penta’s summer interns, a friend from Hampton Roads Realty Association, and other CVC friends gathered on a hot summer morning to cleanup Newton Neck Park in Chesapeake. This trash cleanup removed 73 lbs of trash from this Chesapeake park.
CVC placed a conservation easement on the Newton Neck property in 2022. The Vann family then generously sold the property for the city to create one of Chesapeake’s newest parks. Trails wind through wooded paths while the edge of the property gently slopes to the Elizabeth River.
Mary Ann Sanders, CVC Board Chair, Helen Kuhns, Executive Director, and Jennifer Cool, Board Secretary, trying to put the big HRRA check in the donations box.
Volvo Penta interns, Aishwarya and Dev, removing plastics, paper and Styrofoam from the Newton Neck parking area.
HRRA member, Cole Nebb, working hard to leave Newton Neck park clean and green.
Paradise Creek 1-Year Testing
CVC monitoring results from the Paradise Creek Phase 1 project area confirmed that creek bottom pollution reduction efforts met success criteria in over 97% of the long-term monitoring stations. Building on this success, CVC is expanding its sediment restoration effort in Paradise Creek by targeting a second area of restoration covering an additional 5.5 acres of creek bottom. These two projects will restore and enhance over 22 acres of Paradise Creek bottom comprising 75% of the identified contaminated creek sediment. CVC efforts will result in a healthier creek environment providing habitat for numerous species of fish, crabs, oysters, shore birds, osprey and eagles. CVC will continue its search for suitable restoration project areas building on our past success to help create a healthier community for people and wildlife.
HRRA member, Cole Nebb, working hard to leave Newton Neck park clean and green.
SAVE THE DATE!!
Coastal Virginia Conservancy will be hosting its annual fundraiser on November 9th at the Norfolk Yacht Club. More details coming soon!
Coastal Currents
Checking in with CVC
Hello friends of Coastal Virginia Conservancy,
Summer is here and I hope your days are filled with fun, family and friends! As you head to the beach or your local park, remember that these spaces have been protected for the benefit of you and your family. If it weren’t for organizations like Coastal Virginia Conservancy, much of the recreational space we enjoy today would not exist. These areas are protected because someone saw the value in protecting this space for future generations.
As the only land trust working in the Hampton Roads area, CVC would love to have you join the list of landowners, municipalities, community partners, donors, and friends of our local land and water resources, to help conserve parcels of wild places and open spaces for future generations.
The next time you head to your favorite park or pass a protected area, think about the work Coastal Virginia Conservancy is doing in “your backyard.” A donation or a referral can help keep this work growing in the 757. How can you help today?
Naturally yours,
Helen
Helen W. Kuhns, Executive Director
Coastal Virginia Conservancy
