Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council - CEIC

11/26/2020

Happy Thanksgiving!

Title: Pretty Trees
Photographer: Aminah McKenzie
Location: Western Branch Park

11/24/2020

This Great Horned Owl was entangled on a lost fishing line and lure. Always remove all your fishing line, it is of great danger to wildlife.

Received call this morning about an owl caught in fishing line hanging from a power line over the water at Bethel Park in Hampton. What transpired shows the good in humanity! Ryan, the caller, saw the distressed owl and called for help. Amy answered our helpline and immediately reached out to Dominion Power as well as Julie, expert rescuer in Williamsburg. Julie met with an awesome Dominion Power crew member and they both got into a johnboat for this dangerous rescue. After freeing the owl and wrestling it into a crate, Julie met Wanda, a transporter, near the tunnel who completed the transport to Dana Lusher, the rehabber! From initial call to rehabber was a little over two hours! Great job, everyone!!! Hope this Great Horned owl recovers and comes home soon.
Julie was also told that the Dominion Power employee is going to take down the bottom power line and remove all the accumulated fishing line and install reflectors to decrease bird collisions. More awesomeness.

11/21/2020

We talk a lot about protecting the Chesapeake Bay, but it's important to remember that half our City is in the "Southern Watershed" with the Northwest River and North Landing Rivers flowing into Albemarle Sound. Even the names of those rivers give the different point of view, as those rivers are north of the Albemarle.

#ICYMI: We recently announced a new Memorandum of Understanding between North Carolina and Virginia to continue working together in our shared waterways. We look forward to meeting with agency designees this week to discuss the path forward! #APMOU https://bit.ly/APMOU2020

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

11/20/2020

1 Million Women

Making changes at home is a great way to see the difference you can make, get empowered and grow from there!🌟

11/19/2020

The first impression of the Gates yard at 1401 Kay Avenue in the Oscar Smith district, is of one that is immaculately maintained, with an attractive lawn, precise edging and pruning, and a nice selection of shrubs and flowers, providing outstanding curb appeal on both sides of a corner lot. More impressive was to learn that this is all managed manually, with no fertilizers or herbicides. Colorful, pollinator-friendly flower choices thrive on rainfall and need little additional watering. While the front and side yards are appealing, the charming backyard is where the Gates spend most of their time and energy to feed their desire for sustainable living. Birdfeeders and flowers attract a variety of songbirds, butterflies, and bees. They
have chickens, rabbits, and ducks, all living well in beautifully self-built coops and runs. Annually
planted moon flower and morning glory shade the chicken and rabbit coop and give the yard a farm
cottage charm. Animal manure is composted and used in the nearby, nicely enclosed vegetable
garden. All waste from the animals is used as organic fertilizer for their productive vegetable garden. Neighbors benefit from shared eggs, produce and the jams made from their prolific blueberry and blackberry bushes. The Gates yard is truly notable, beautifully maintained and follows environmentally-appropriate practices.

11/18/2020

Mr. Hilmandolar, our Notable Yards winner in Indian River at 1033 Wynngate Drive, demonstrates pride of care and an awareness of the environment in his yard. He has created an especially colorful and balanced landscape which is impeccably maintained. The front lawn features
St. Augustine grass, which is properly mowed, and an appropriate selection for the Hampton Roads area. Foundation and other flower beds are neatly edged and mulched throughout, with many
colorful annuals and perennials. His yard offers comfort to birds and pollinators, with numerous bird houses, a bird bath, and a pollinator garden featuring a number of flowering native plant species, including honeysuckle, coneflower, joe pye weed, bee balm, and dutchman’s pipe vine. Larry has purchased many of these plants over the years from local plant sales. He composts yard waste and has a rain barrel installed in a convenient location off his deck. A large, mature native loblolly pine graces a corner of his backyard, providing shade to his deck. He even uses fallen needles from this tree to mulch beds in his backyard.

11/17/2020

In Hickory, our Notable Yards award goes to Ms. Keane at 848 JoAnne Circle, who has an enchanting front landscape, with a variety of species including a towering elephant ear plant, a dwarf pomegranate tree with an abundance of fruit, and a beautifully shaped yucca, just to name a few. Providing height and drawing the eye deeper into the garden is a stand of canna lilies
in bright yellow and red. Beth has created a place for vegetables in her front garden where she grows green and red peppers, dill, strawberries, purple cabbage, eggplant and much more. She has fruit bearing shrubs as well as numerous herbs and refers to her garden as a place where she can relax and enjoy the “fruits of her labor.”

11/16/2020

The Pasquales, at 1116 Sutherlyn Court in Great Bridge, impressed our Notable Yard judges with their neat and attractive yard. The tree plantings for the property are appropriate for the site with the backyard framed by a trio of wildlife-friendly willow oaks with small flower beds surrounding them. Crepe myrtles provide a border along the side yard with a maple and other trees adorning the front of the home. The lawn is well maintained and the yard incorporates a nice mixture of flowering plants, berry bearing shrubs and even a bird feeder.

11/15/2020

The Frecks at 1552 Lauren Ashleigh Drive in Western Branch have created a haven for butterflies, birds, and bees to earn the Notable Yards award this year. They provide a smorgasbord of plants rich in nectar to attract every kind of butterfly and bee imaginable. In their front yard you will find blooming lantana, rudbeckia, pipe vine, lavender and butterfly bush, just to name a few. Birds, especially finches, enjoy the zinnia, cone flower, and goldenrod. The backyard is abundant in native plants and fruit-bearing shrubs and trees. Mr. Freck built a shelter for Monarch caterpillars which allows them to munch on common milkweed and create their chrysalis without danger of predators. Once the Monarch Butterfly hatches, they are released. There is also a good size vegetable garden,
with tomatoes, squash, beans, asparagus and newly planted collard greens. As one walks through this space, it is apparent the Frecks love gardening and providing for pollinators and wildlife.

11/14/2020

There was stiff competition for the most Notable Yard in Grassfield, but ultimately Joan and Bill
Gregory, at 3105 Rebecca Drive, came out on top. A Chesapeake Master Gardener and Beekeepers Guild Member respectively, the Gregorys have worked to transform their property into a healthy yard to benefit their family and community. Large, mature oaks, maples, and loblolly pines grow along the periphery of the property. Various garden plots are spaced through the flower, pollinator, and vegetable gardens on the property. Examples of plants showing in the fall include edgeworthia, amsonia, vinea, pumpkin, squash, and large blueberry shrubs. Monarch chrysalises were found along the shed wall near the pollinator garden. Not surprisingly, the Gregorys maintain honeybee hives and have bird feeders. They have at least one rain barrel, and they compost. To eliminate the use of harsh herbicides and reduce fertilizer input, the homeowners maintain a neat "freedom lawn." Overall, the yard incorporates a diversity of plants with something blooming every season.

11/13/2020

Congratulations to the Phelps, our Notable Yards winner in Deep Creek, who have created a little oasis of flora and fauna in their yard at 552 Trent Avenue. They have successfully created garden spaces that are both visually appealing and serve a function for their family and for wildlife. They have implemented several practices that benefit themselves and the environment, including reducing their lawn size, using non-gas powered equipment and controlling or eliminating invasive plant species. Weeds are controlled with manual labor, mulch, and use of plants that are appropriate for their site, eliminating any need for herbicides or pesticides. They have an impressive compost setup with three sections for processing and rain barrels throughout the yard. The garden structures such as raised beds, compost bins, chicken coop, and trellis are all handcrafted by the
family and provide a nice visual touch to the backyard. In addition to composting yard and kitchen waste, they utilize manure from the chickens to build nutrients in the soil. The family has done an excellent job incorporating native plants, veggies, herbs, and pollinator-friendly plants into the yard amidst winding pathways and an adorable garden playhouse.

11/12/2020

Over the next week, we'll be highlighting the winner's of Chesapeake's 2020 Notable Yards Contest here on Facebook. Marking its 25th year, this annual contest celebrates yards that “look good and are good for nature.” So check back each day to see the winners!

One winner was chosen from each of the seven school districts: Deep Creek, Grassfield, Great Bridge, Hickory, Indian River, Oscar Smith and Western Branch. Notable Yard home nominations were accepted May 1 through September 18 and were submitted by friends, neighbors and even homeowners themselves. This year, teams of judges were comprised of CEIC members, associate members and Chesapeake Master Gardeners. In total there were over 20 nominated properties across Chesapeake.

Judging criteria include overall visual appeal and garden design, use of healthy lawn practices to minimize fertilizer, pesticide, and water usage, inclusion of native trees, shrubs and flowers, wildlife habitat and/or food gardens, and solutions for rainwater harvesting and stormwater runoff control.

Each winner received a $50 gift certificate from White's Nursery & Garden Center, a certificate from the CEIC, and yard sign for one month showcasing their Notable Yard. The competition was fierce, but in the end, only seven were able to claim the top district spots.

11/12/2020

Alt National Park Service

11/11/2020

Alt National Park Service

11/10/2020

Chesapeake Master Gardeners

11/06/2020

Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine...and Then Recycle | Green America

Recycling is a good way to reduce waste. But there is so much more we should be doing, from making better decision on what to buy, finding options that involve buying or trading for second hand items, devising second lives for the materials we already have. The one thing we should be discarding is the single-use lifestyle.

Author Beth Porter talks about her book, Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine and speaks on the challenges and opportunities of the US recycling system. - Green America

11/02/2020

Last day to Vote is tomorrow - Tuesday. If you have an absentee ballot, tomorrow is the last day to return it - see https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/city-departments/departments/Voter-Registrar/absentee.htm for more details.

Tomorrow is Election Day! Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Keep in mind that you must vote at your assigned precinct, which you can find at www.CityofChesapeake.net/Vote. Don’t forget to bring your mask and a valid ID. Space inside the precincts will be limited due to COVID restrictions, so come prepared to wait outside and dress for the weather.

*Edited to add: We ask that you wear a mask to protect other voters and our election officials; however, no one will be turned away from voting for not having a mask.

11/02/2020

Friday's weather forecast looks great! Come on out if you can to the Arboretum, 624 Oak Grove Rd (behind Roses). Bring your own work gloves and water. Bring your own digging tools or borrow ours. Hope to see you there!

Invasives not only block sunlight and restrict the growth of native plants, but they can also reduce plant species diversity thus reducing the quality and quantity of fish and wildlife habitat. Join us in the fight to eradicate Invasives at the Chesapeake Arboretum.

11/01/2020

Title: Pretty Trees
Photographer: Aminah McKenzie
Location: Western Branch Park

10/31/2020

Look at all the trees and shrubs planted at the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways Park in conjunction with Arbor Day. All native to this region except the Boxwood, Walter's Viburnum, Tea Camelia, and Encore Azalea. Thank to the Bradleys, Hartises, Woodards Mill Garden Club, Greenbrier Farms, Chesapeake Master Gardeners, Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation, and Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism for making this event a success.

10/30/2020

City of Chesapeake Government

City of Chesapeake Government

Tomorrow is your last chance to vote early in person. All satellite locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 31. On Election Day you can vote at your assigned precinct between 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. If you still have an absentee ballot to turn in, you can bring it to any satellite location during early voting hours or directly to the Voter Registrar’s Office, 411 Cedar Rd, which has a dropbox outside of the building. If you choose to mail it, it must be postmarked by November 3.

Please remember that election results are not expected to be in on November 3 but will likely take days, if not a week, to be finalized. The Chesapeake Voter Registrar’s Office and the Electoral Board will work as quickly as possible to provide an accurate count of every ballot. For more information on voting visit CityofChesapeake.net/Vote.

10/28/2020

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Great demo at end of proper tree-planting technique...

Watch this virtual ceremony celebrating the City of Chesapeake's 34th Arbor Day event! Participants include Rogard Ross of the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council, Council Member Debbie Ritter, Jon Stull of the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation, and Ed Bradley, Chesapeake Master Gardener.

10/27/2020

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Did you miss our FB Live Arbor Day Event. Time for the video tape ...

Watch this virtual ceremony celebrating the City of Chesapeake's 34th Arbor Day event! Participants include Rogard Ross of the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council, Council Member Debbie Ritter, Jon Stull of the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation, and Ed Bradley, Chesapeake Master Gardener.

10/27/2020

Chesapeake Arbor Day Proclamation.

WHEREAS, in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees; Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world; and

WHEREAS, trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife; and

WHEREAS, trees in Chesapeake increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community; and

WHEREAS, the City of Chesapeake has been recognized as a Tree City U.S.A. by the National Arbor Day Foundation for thirty-two consecutive years; and

WHEREAS, Chesapeake’s Arbor Day Celebration has earned state and national awards; and

WHEREAS, participation in the Annual Arbor Day Tree Planting and Tree Care Teams is indicative of the cooperation of public, private, and civic organizations in their efforts to maintain the City of Chesapeake as a beautiful place to live; and

WHEREAS, Chesapeake citizens have planted 3,407 trees during Arbor Day Celebrations; and

WHEREAS, in order to commemorate this period and to perpetuate an annual date to remind citizens to continue to maintain and add to the natural beauty of our vital and growing City.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dr. Richard W. West, Mayor of the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, do hereby
proclaim October 27, 2020, as “THE CHESAPEAKE ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION” and urge citizens to plant trees to gladden hearts and promote the well-being of present and future generations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the SEAL of the City of Chesapeake, Virginia to be affixed hereto this twenty-seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord, two thousand twenty.

10/27/2020

Join us for a Facebook Live Arbor Day Ceremony on today at 2 pm at Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Join us, virtually, for this year's Arbor Day Ceremony! The event will go live, here on Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism's page, around 2 pm on Tuesday, October 27.

10/26/2020

Join us for a Facebook Live Arbor Day Ceremony on Tuesday at 2 pm at Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Join us, virtually, for this year's Arbor Day Ceremony! The event will go live, here on Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism's page, around 2 pm on Tuesday, October 27.