Monday, March 2, 2026

March Newsletter and Events

Upcoming Events

Saturday, March 14: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park

  • 8:30 am to 10:30 am
  • Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) 
  • Join us for a hike along the nature trail and through the park. Learn about the history of the park, the native trees and plants in this century old forest on the Indian River flood plain, and its value to maintaining the health of local butterfly, bird, and wildlife populations. Note: the forest trail has uneven surfaces and minor elevation changes.
  • Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/1pPAdMYFQCg1nXGW6 (suggested but not required)
Thursday, March 19: Monthly Meeting - Jim Lang on Waterfront Law
  • 7 pm to 8:30 pm
  • Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive
  • Our guest speaker will be Jim Lang speaking on Waterfront Law.  He will discuss Waterfront Property Owner Rights and Responsibilities, including aspects of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (CPBA).
  • We will also have a short business meeting to adopt our budget for the coming year.
  • All are welcome.  We'll also have the latest community news and updates!  There will be light refreshments.
Saturday, March 21, 2026: Adopt-A-Road Cleanup
  • From 9 AM to 11:30 am  
  • Meet at Lilac Avenue and Indian River Road. Park along Lilac Avenue by the Norfolk Highlands Primary School.
  • Join us for our quarterly cleanup along Indian River Road and at Blue Heron Landing Park.
  • We are also asking all business owners along Indian River Road - and everywhere really - to make sure they sweep up in front of their storefronts as part of the effort.   And if you can't make it out for our organized cleanup, please take 15 minutes and clean up the street and ditches in front of your home; pass the word to your neighbors!
  • For our main cleanup on Indian River Road, the city will provide garbage bags and orange safety vests.  Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat, and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful.  We will have water and snacks, but we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize the use of plastic bottles.  Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
  • Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/G32PjVyWr9Vvbb98A (suggested but not required)
Saturday, March 28, 2026: Great American Cleanup around Indian River Civic Campus
  • From 9 AM to 11 AM  
  • Meet at Indian River Library parking lot, 2320 Old Greenbrier Rd
  • We're teaming up with the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council to do the Great American Cleanup at the Indian River Civic Campus and the lake.
  • Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat, and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful.  We will have water and snacks, but we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize the use of plastic bottles.  Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
  • Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/WbnYxokrDcwRma6t8 (suggested but not required)

Other Events

News

Throwing Shade

Spring planting season is right around the corner and the Virginia Department of Forestry wants to help you plant native trees and shrubs.  The Throwing Shade Virginia program will provide discounts of $25 on eligible purchases valued at $50 or more, as an incentive to customers to purchase and plant native species of trees and shrubs.   Only available for trees and shrubs native to Virginia and only at participating nurseries.  Locally, Southern Branch Nursery in Chesapeake and Lady Fern’s Native Plants in Norfolk are participating nurseries.  Learn more at https://dof.virginia.gov/urban-community-forestry/urban-forestry-community-assistance/throwing-shade-va-program/

February Recap

Thank you to Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism for leading three Weed Warrior events at Indian River Park in February.   Volunteers and city staff worked on the west side of the park to remove English Ivy from trees and tackle other invasive plants like privet and false holly.  


Spring Membership Drive

It's time for our annual spring membership drive.  The Friends of Indian River is an all-volunteer, local, 501(c)(3) non-profit, and we depend on member contributions to advance our mission to improve the quality of life for all the residents of the Indian River neighborhoods.  Our fiscal year ends March 31 and our fundraising goal is $2100; we are currently at $1580.  Help us reach our goal.  You can become a member, renew your membership, or just make a contribution online at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/membership.html 

Have an idea for an article for our newsletter?  Send your submission, max 250 words, to us at info@friendsofindianriver.org along with a photo and we'll consider it for our next edition.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)