Virginia State Parks will participate in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clean the Bay Day, a statewide effort to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Traditionally, this event takes place on the first Saturday in June. However, Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced this year that it will be on the first Saturday in May to allow for more participants. More families have the opportunity to participate together since school is still in session, and there is hope that the weather will be cooler
Visitors are encouraged to join park staff and volunteers in cleaning up litter, debris, and other pollution from rivers, streams and shorelines that feed into the Bay. Their efforts help improve water quality, support a healthier ecosystem, as well as create safer habitats for wildlife.
“As the largest estuary in the United States and the third largest in the world, the Chesapeake Bay stands as an incredible natural and vital resource,” said Acting Assistant Park Director Dave Collett. “The Bay urgently needs your help, and volunteering at one of these Virginia State Parks is a meaningful way to make an immediate positive impact.”
Consider visiting your local state park to participate in one of the many cleanup activities:
- Kayak Cleanup at Widewater
- Hike & Help the Riverine Forest at Powhatan
- Cedar Creek Watershed Cleanup at Natural Bridge
- Litter Patrol at Twin Lakes
- Coastal Cleanup at Kiptopeke
- River Bank Cleanup at James River
- Bluebell Trail and Shoreline Clean Up at Shenandoah River
- Chesapeake Bay Beach & Narrows Beach Volunteer Cleanup at First Landing
For the full list of service projects, visit the Virginia State Parks Clean the Bay Day web page.
About Virginia State Parks
Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.
Featured image by Virginia State Parks