Earlier this year, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation transplanted trees  and shrubs  at the site  of the future Brock Environmental Center at Pleasure House Point. The first phase involved the use of a tree spade to move the larger live oaks and red cedars from the construction zone to other areas of the property. During the second phase, CBF staff enlisted the help of volunteers and staff from Hourigan Construction and the City of Virginia Beach to transplant over 150 smaller trees and shrubs on CBF’s portion of the Pleasure House Point property.

The native plants, including live oak, pine, red cedar and high tide bush, were in areas that will be disturbed by Brock Environmental Center construction, which begins later this summer. CBF enlisted the help of local arborists and restoration specialists for their expertise in maximizing the plants’ potential for successful transplanting.  In their new location, the trees and shrubs will serve as important habitat for a variety of birds and other animals and will also filter runoff  before it reaches Crab Creek and the Lynnhaven River. 

After a post-transplant survey of the trees and shrubs on May 15^th, CBF is happy to report that the plants have adapted quite well.  The vast majority of the plants displayed new spring foliage and are thriving in their new locations.  Even the plants which were relocated to areas containing concrete rubble are doing well in their new locations.  CBF staff will continue to monitor the plants throughout the year. Many thanks go out to all of the volunteers who made it happen.

Photo credits: (top) Chris Moore/CBF Staff, (center) Andrea Moran/CBF Staff, (bottom) Chris Moore/CBF Staff

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is in the midst of the ultimate recycling project for its planned Brock Environmental Center at Pleasure House Point.  Construction plans call for using as many recycled or salvaged materials as possible to help the center meet the “Living Building Challenge” — a set of strict environmental standards that requires the facility to have “net-zero” impact on the environment. 

CBF staff, Hourigan Construction staff and CBF volunteers recently salvaged interior wood doors, cabinets and other materials from an old Hampton Roads Sanitation District building in Virginia Beach that will soon be demolished.  Rather than ending up in the landfill, these materials will be get a new life in CBF’s Brock Environmental Center.  Re-using these and other materials saves energy and natural resources that would typically go towards manufacturing and transporting new building materials.  Our facility will be greener than green!

Photo by Andrea Moran/CBF Staff 

The Pleasure House Point site recently hosted a BioBlitz in order to help survey the numerous plants and animals that are currently present on the property.  Organized by the City of Virginia Beach, the main goal of the BioBlitz was to determine what species are using the property or its adjacent waterways and marshes, their numbers, and where they are located on the property.  Volunteers and students from nonprofit organizations, state agencies, academic institutions, and wildlife groups participated in the BioBlitz, which took place from 7 a.m. Saturday, May 4, to 7 a.m. Sunday, May 5.  This 24-hour time period allowed volunteers the opportunity to survey both diurnal and nocturnal birds along with a host of other animals, fish, insects, and plants.  Signs were placed at the entrances to the property to inform visitors of the event and reduce human disturbance during the BioBlitz. 

CBF Hampton Roads Senior Scientist Chris Moore participated in the BioBlitz during the afternoon of May 4.  His efforts focused on catching and identifying fish species  in the tidal waters that surround the site.  Using a 25-ft long beach seine (pictured), he made a number of “sweeps”   to catch fish and other animals that where present along the shoreline.  His catch for the day included an impressive variety of species, including mummichogs, menhaden, croaker, striped killifish, bay anchovies, and silversides.

Photo by Kristyn Moore

In the last few weeks you may have seen some changes at CBF’s property at Pleasure House Point.  In order to begin preparations for CBF’s Brock Environmental Center construction, we have been moving trees and shrubs from within the construction area to habitat restoration areas around the site.  We have accomplished this in two phases, the first of which worked with interested volunteers to move small trees and shrubs and the second using equipment to move larger trees.

The site has small live oaks and pines that were good candidates for moving with the help of volunteers.  These trees were small and in most cases not located in areas well suited for long-term growth.  In addition, there were numerous shrubs that were good candidates for transplant by hand as well.  In most cases these shrubs, commonly referred to as high tide bush, can be trimmed and transplanted with minimal care.

In order to give the larger live oaks the best chance of survival after their move, we have moved them using equipment commonly referred to as a tree spade.  The piece of equipment will allow for preserving as much of the root system of the tree as possible.  This is especially important given the sandy soils present at Pleasure House Point.

For more information about future volunteer events and any other questions you may have, please contact Christy Everett or Chris Moore at CBF’s Hampton Roads office at 622-1964 or at ceverett@cbf.org or cmoore@cbf.org.