Programs

  • Environmental Education and Outreach

    Environmental Education and Outreach: HCWF engages the public in educational activities and outreach programs throughout the year by partnering with local professionals to provide engaging and informative hikes, tours, paddles, classes, and experiences. HCWF works closely with the Portsmouth Public School system to provide instruction, technical support, materials, and equipment to raise butterflies in all of the second grade classrooms in the city. Student groups raise oysters at the preserve throughout the school year and deposit the full grown oysters onto local reefs to help filter the water and to provide habitat. High school students from Portsmouth Public Schools participated in a 6-week internship in cooperation with ODU's Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center combining environmental science, field research, and technology.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2022 – Jun 30, 2023
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $47.1K

  • Conservation and Research Initiatives

    Conservation and Research: More than 1,000 volunteers participated in work days and donated community service hours to removing invasive species, improving wildlife habitat, and preserving beneficial plant species. Goats and sheep helped maintain areas of the forest overtaken by invasive vines, preparing the area for replanting native species. Visitors to the preserve in the spring spread seed bombs full of wildflower seeds beneficial to pollinators throughout sunny open areas of the preserve. Birders catalogued the bird species living in and migrated through the preserve each month. HCWF contributed data to the National Audubon Society's annual Christmas Bird Count. HCWF added 2,000 oysters to the local reefs in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Old Dominion University (ODU) professors and students conducted research on the tick populations. Christopher Newport University (CNU) engaged in studies on fish populations and the impacts of climate change on coastal habitats. The foundation in partnership with the VA Department of Environmental Quality, the Chesapeake Monitoring Coop, and other partner agencies conducted monthly water quality tests, contributing important data through the citizen monitoring program.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2022 – Jun 30, 2023
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $39.9K

  • Recreational Activities and Programs

    Recreation: The preserve remained open six days a week throughout the year. Visitors came to hike the over 3 miles of trails, paddle the creek in kayaks, glimpse the abundant bird life, picnic in the pavilion, and photograph the scenery and wildlife. Staff and volunteers hosted kayak tours, kayak rentals, yoga classes, tree identification tours, birdwatching tours, and mindful meditation sessions.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2022 – Jun 30, 2023
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $26.7K