(Virginia Beach, VA) – Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) presented the 2011 Best New Environmental Sustainability Award to Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation for the “Growing Wetlands in the Classroom” program partnership. The awards banquet was held on Sept. 10, 2012 during the VRPS annual conference.
“Growing Wetlands in the Classroom,” a project developed by Lynnhaven River NOW and the Elizabeth River Project, was formed to expand a water quality and educational program addressing how plants grow, the benefit of plants to water quality, and provide an outdoor educational arena for Virginia Beach elementary school students. Mount Trashmore Park was the recipient of over 3,000 plants from more than 1,000 student participants. Students grew the freshwater grasses at school and transported them to Mount Trashmore Park in spring 2011. Funded by Dollar Tree Corporation’s Corporate Giving Program, the wetland-planting project served to improve the park’s habitat, enhance shoreline appearance, stabilize the shoreline by reducing erosion, and improve water quality at Lake Trashmore.
“Public/private partnerships like ‘Growing Wetlands in the Classroom’ enhances the natural beauty of our parks and inspires a generation of environmental stewards,” said Parks and Recreation Director Michael Kalvort.
The 2011 VRPS Best New Environmental Sustainability Award is given in recognition of a new program, environmental or educational initiative that demonstrates creative problem solving to address an environmental issue.
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation’s vision is a balanced, sustainable and value-focused system of parks, recreation and public spaces that creates a sense of community. We are accredited by CAPRA, the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association. For more information, call (757) 385-1100 (TTY: 711 Virginia Relay), visit VBgov.com/parks or sign up our email newsletters at VBgov.com/eNews.