46th Street Wetlands Restoration (2008-2009)

Location: 46th St & Colley Ave, Norfolk, VA

Talbot Hall Wetland Grass Planting (2010)

Location: Shoreline on the south side of the property owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia (west end of Talbot Hall Road).

Objective: Re-establish wetland grasses on approximately 1,000 sf of sand beach in order to prevent erosion.

Summary:

• The Episcopal group “Caring for Creation” led the project.
• Plugs of the marsh grass Spartina alterniflora were installed along the shore.
• LWP assisted with project planning and volunteer recruitment for the planting day.

Funding: The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, “Caring for Creation” provided funding.

51st Street and Killam Avenue Wetland Restoration/Larchmont Elementary School Wetland Restoration (2010)

Location: The two projects are across from one another in Colley Bay – one is located at the intersection of 51st Street and Killam Avenue; the other is directly behind Larchmont Elementary School (1145 Bolling Ave).

Objective: Restore wetland vegetation to an eroded mudflat.

Summary: The projects were planned concurrently.

• LWP had primary responsibility for the work in the Highland Park neighborhood.
• The Phytoplankton Lab at Old Dominion University planned the Larchmont project.
• Coir logs (bio-logs) were installed with sand backfill to recreate a viable elevation for marsh grasses; goose-fencing installed to deter predation by geese, and native grasses were installed along the shore.

Partners:

• Larchmont Elementary School,
• Old Dominion University Phytoplankton Lab
• City of Norfolk

Funding (total approx. $5,000):

• Norfolk Wetlands Board provided a $4,000 grant
• Highland Park Civic League contributed an additional $1,000.

Enhancements since initial completion:

• In 2020, an extensive maintenance effort of this site was accomplished through a “Service Learning” workday by the students of ODU Professors Taylor Sloey and Erik Yando (Dept of Biological Sciences).  Numerous non-native trees and shrubs were removed, and rejuvenation pruning of the beneficial native plants was conducted.

47th Street Wetland Restoration and Rain Garden (2011-2016)

Location: 47th Street and Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA

Objectives:

• Restore an eroded “pocket wetland” at the eastern end of 47th Street by raising the elevation of the intertidal area with sand and replanting with native march grasses.
• Protect the restoration from storm water runoff by planting high marsh grasses and shrubs and installing a “rain garden” in the upland area.

Summary:

• Concrete rubble and the non-native Common Reed (Phragmites australis) were removed.
• Sand was used to create the proper elevation and growing medium for new wetland grasses. Spartina alterniflora was planted in the intertidal zone.
• High marsh shrubs and grasses were planted to protect against erosion and runoff.
• A large “rain garden” was created in the upland area with native grasses, flowering perennials, shrubs and trees to absorb the excessive rain water run-off from 47th Street and adjacent parking lots.
• Educational signage was erected to explain the rain garden concept and the restoration process.
• An “Oysterberg” reef was installed inside “mean low water” as an experiment in oyster cultivation as well as protection from wind driven waves (2015).
• The Highland Park Civic League installed a stone rip rap on the north side of the wetland to slow storm water runoff (2016).

Partners:

• Horticultural expertise from the Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Center and the Norfolk Master Gardeners.
• Many plants were donated by Norfolk Master Gardeners, the Virginia Tech Agricultural and Research Center, and others.
• The City of Norfolk donated mulch and compost.
• A contractor removed asphalt that was under a portion of the rain garden area as an in-kind donation.
• Long term stewardship commitment from Second Presbyterian Church (adjacent property) and Temple Israel.

Funding (total $4,492):

• Rain garden: $1,470 for plants (Elizabeth River Project $500, Donations $300, LWP $670).
• Wetland Restoration: $2,022. The Norfolk Wetlands Board provided $1,000, and the remainder was provided by the Highland Park Civic League and private donations.
• Rip rap installation: $1,000. The Norfolk Rotary provided a $1,000 grant.

Riverview Restored Wetland (2011-2013)

Location: Corner of Columbus & Holly Avenues, adjacent to the east side of Tanners Landing Condominium.

Objective: Restore a marsh inlet that was heavily overgrown with the invasive non-native Phragmites australis at its head, had no protection from storm water runoff from the newly constructed condominium, and had evidence of erosion and loss of intertidal plants along its length.

Summary:

• Concrete rubble and the non-native Common Reed (Phragmites australis) were removed from the shoreline
• The intertidal area was elevated with sand and re-planted with Spartina alterniflora.
• The high marsh and upland areas were planted with grasses, shrubs and trees to protect water quality and add beauty to the area.

Partners:

• The City of Norfolk removed large chunks of concrete debris.
• Jeremy Jones, a Riverview resident, brought the project to the attention of the Partnership. He served as the Project Leader, recruited neighborhood participation, and he and his family have committed to the site’s long term stewardship.

Funding (total budget $5,894):

• The project was supported by grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Enhancements since initial completion:

• In 2020, several maintenance work parties were conducted at this site.  Phragmites control, selective up-limbing of native shrubs and trees, and replanting of several areas with native marsh grasses were done to rejuvenate the site after several years of the naturalizing process.

Fairmount Park Phragmites Control (2012)

Location: Northwest corner of Pope and Somme Avenues, Fairmount Park neighborhood.

Objective: Transform a drainage area full of Phragmites australis into a thriving native planting that also helps filter storm water runoff.

Summary:

• Phragmites was treated and an area of about 0.33 acres was planted with 250 native plants.
• The entire neighborhood turned out for the work days: Scout troops, youth groups, the civic league, neighbors.

Partners: LWP collaborated with the Fairmount Park Civic league.

Riverpoint Playground Wetlands Restoration (2014-2017)

Location: 6050 Newport Avenue, Norfolk, VA

Objective: Remove the invasive non-native Common Reed (Phragmites australis) from the park’s shoreline; replant with native grasses and shrubs to improve the health of the wetlands, enhance the wildlife habitat and increase plant diversity. Use educational signage to create a “teaching site.”

Summary:

• 500 linear feet of shoreline wetlands was restored with over 7,000 plugs of a large variety native wetlands grasses
• Project expanded to also plant over 200 native shrubs and trees in the upland areas of the park.
• Educational signage erected to explain the environmental benefits of the native species planted

Partners:

• The shrubs and trees were donated by Riverpoint residents, the City of Norfolk, and a grant through Friends of Norfolk’s Environment (FONE).

Funding (total budget $6,200):

• Financial support from LWP ($250), Riverpoint Civic League ($250), neighbors ($600), Elizabeth River Project ($500) and the Norfolk Wetlands Board ($4,500).

Enhancements since initial completion:

• Phragmites control measures are conducted on an annual basis at this site (summer clipping, fall herbicide application by City staff), as well as maintenance work parties of the upland native plantings (weed and vine control).

Knitting Mill Creek Buffer and Walkway (2016-2020)

Location: West section of Mayflower Rd, between New York Ave and Connecticut Avenue (walkway along the eastern side of Knitting Mill Creek)

Objective: Install native plants to buffer storm water runoff, provide habitat and add beauty to the neighborhood while enhancing a popular walking and jogging path along a narrow green space that was highly compacted, bare and eroded earth.

Summary:

• Project was recommended by the “Green Infrastructure” study funded by a $60,000 EPA grant awarded to the LWP in partnership with the City of Norfolk.
• A walkway of clam shell and stone dust was installed as well as large beds of native plants in a 6,900 square foot green space between Mayflower Drive and the bulkhead in 2016.  Additional buffer plants were added in 2017.
• In 2020, the clamshell portion of the pathway will be extended 150’ to connect with a grass walking path to the south (passing behind the living shoreline installed by the City of Norfolk in 2018).
• In 2021, installation of a 900 SF pollinator garden started on the north end of the buffer with completion expected in 2022.
• The Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League approved the location as one of its “Adopt-A-Spot” locations.

Partners:

• Expertise from the Norfolk Master Gardeners, the City of Norfolk, the Elizabeth River Project, and the Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Financial support (total $17,300 as of 2020):

• Initial planting and pathway installation (total budget $16,300): Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund ($5,000), the City of Norfolk ($8,775), and the Elizabeth River Project ($2,525).
• Addition of clamshell pathway in 2020 ($1,000)
• Addition of 900 SF pollinator garden (project underway in 2021; final cost not yet available)