Our regular meetings are on held alternating months (Jan, Mar, May, Sept, Nov) on the THIRD Thursday from 7-8:30 pm at Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive, Chesapeake, Va. 23325. Most months we also plan a hands-on activity to help improve our neighborhood. We'd love to have you join us!
Future Meetings and Events
Saturday, May 9: 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/1jzZz4X7qrTX7Vxs9 (suggested but not required)
Saturday, May 16: Adopt-A-Garden @ Oaklette Bridge
- From 9 AM to Noon
- Meet at Lilac Avenue and Indian River Road. Park along Lilac Avenue by the Norfolk Highlands Primary School.
- We will be weeding and mulching our gardens along Indian River Road at the Oaklette Bridge.
- Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful. Bring your favorite hand-weeding tool, if you have one. 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/SB5gcB3GX7L2Wg2t9 (suggested but not required)
Thursday, May 21: Monthly Meeting - River Otters
- 7 pm to 8:30 pm
- Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive
- Our guest speaker will be Victoria Dunch from the Elizabeth River Project, who will talk to us about the return of river otters, once a rare sight, to the Elizabeth River, including the Indian River. The resurgence has inspired a new collaboration between the Elizabeth River Project and the River Otter Ecology Project, a national organization promoting community science to support water conservation efforts nationwide.
- All are welcome. We'll also have the latest community news and updates! There will be light refreshments.
Saturday, June 6: Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park
- 9 am to Noon
- Location: We are partnering with Southern Volkswagen Dealership for this event and will be staging the cleanup from the south end of their parking lot, at 1248 S Military Hwy. Please be sure to register at the link below so we can provide updated parking information.
- Our focus will be a cleanup of the floodplain inside Indian River Park. There are areas along the edge of the floodplain that need trash collection, but we will also work inside the floodplain which is muddy and wet. If possible, bring rubber boots and clothes that can get muddy. Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves. Long pants recommended.
- We will have water and snacks but, we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize use of plastic bottles.
- Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
- Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/ig4wqRufzSduA2Ns6
Thursday, June 18: Welcome Summer Evening Potluck Picnic
- 6 pm to 8 pm (come out anytime during the event)
- Location: Picnic Pavilion behind Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive; park in the side lot along St. Lawrence Dr.
- Rather than our usual monthly meeting, in June we'll have a potluck picnic out behind the church. Bring a dish to share and join us for some camaraderie as we roll into summer. The Friends will set out tables and chairs, and provide a main protein dish (likely chicken). We suggest bringing a comfy lawn chair.
- In the event of rain, we will move the event inside the church's fellowship hall.
- To help coordinate who is bringing what, we set up a Sign Up Genius form at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DADA92FA2FA7-63952039-friends
