Nansemond River Preservation Alliance

THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THE NANSEMOND RIVER PRESERVATION ALLIANCE IS TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PRESERVE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE TIDAL WETLANDS, RIVER, CREEKS AND TRIBUTARIES AND WATERSHEDS IN OR TOUCHING SUFFOLK AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT, VA BY PROVING COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS.

CONDUCT SAMPLING AND MONITORING OF THE NANSEMOND RIVER AND SUFFOLK'S CREEKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM. NRPA VOLUNTEERS ARE TRAINED TO CONDUCT SAMPLING FOR SALINITY, CLARITY, DISSOLVED OXYGEN, TEMPERATURE AND CONDUCTS TESTS FOR E.COLI. DATA IS ENTERED INTO THE VA DEQ DATABASE. EVERY TWO YEARS THE NRPA WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE PREPARES AND PUBLISHES THE STATE OF THE NANSEMOND RIVER REPORT AND REPORT CARD. THE REPORT IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE CITY, REGION AND STATE. THE REPORT IS POSTED AT THE WWW.NANSEMONDRIVERPRESERVATIONALLIANCE.ORG AND WWW.CLEANMYRIVERS.COM PRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE REPORT'S CONTENT ARE MADE BEFORE THE COMMUNITY AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS.

NRPA NANSEMOND WATERSHED INITIATIVE:K-12 CONNECTING THE CLASSROOM WITH THE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM (NWI). THE PROGRAM COMPLETED IT'S NINTH YEAR OF EDUCATING SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOL AND NANSEMOND SUFFOLK ACADEMY STUDENTS TO BE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS. 2022 NRPA CONTINUED THE PILOTED STUDY SEGMENT FOR 3RD GRADE STUDENTS -WATERSHED EXPLORERS PROGRAM AT 11 OF THE 11 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. Y-T-D 11,000 STUDENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. THE NWI PROGRAM INCLUDES IN CLASSROOM AND OUTDOOR CLASSROOM MARSHFIELD AND BOAT TRIPS. THE SESSIONS ARE ALIGNED WITH THE VA STANDARDS OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM KINGS FORK ECOLOGY CLUB ARE TRAINED AND HELP IN THE CLASSROOM AND OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES. NRPA ALSO PARTNERS WITH THE NANSEMOND RIVER GARDEN CLUB ECOLOGY SUMMER CAMP.

NRPA WATERSHED COMMUNITY-WIDE PROGRAM TARGETS ALL 94,000 SUFFOLK'S CITIZENS TO EDUCATE AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO BE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND HANDS ON ACTIVITIES. THE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: PRESENTATIONS, EXHIBITS AT COMMUNITY EVENTS. HANDS ON PROGRAMS INCLUDE: PLANTING OF NATIVE SHRUBS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE NRPA CONSERVATION DEMONSTRATION SITE ARE SLEEPY HOLE PARK, OYSTER GARDENING, OYSTER SUBSTRATE RESEARCH, BACTERIAL TRACKING RESEARCH PROGRAM, OYSTER RESTORATION, SHORELINE GRASSES RESEARCH, CLEAN THE RIVER, COMMUNITY RIVER TALK AND HOA EVENTS.