Background:
The first phase will restore wetland and riparian buffer habitat at Princess Anne High School adjacent to Thalia Creek, a tributary of the Lynnhaven River. This project is a unique partnership with Virginia Beach Public Schools to create an “Outdoor Living Resources Laboratory.” Additional benefits will include:
- Reduction of the invasive plant species, Phragmites australis competing with native vegetation
- Restoration of the historic, native salt marsh community
- Restoration of historic channels/hydrology
- Increased plant species diversity
- Improved fish and wildlife habitat
- Improved water quality
- Improved resiliency in the watershed
Students will participate in biannual monitoring using a transect/quadrant method for the following metrics on restored wetland habitat:
- Species diversity
- Species density
- Percent cover
Size: 5.46 acres
Status: Adaptive management and monitoring