A pearl of a program to help Virginia Beach river

VIRGINIA BEACH

Environmentalists trying to restore the Lynnhaven River launched a program Saturday aimed at one of the most stubborn pollution sources plaguing the city's largest waterway: careless people.

The program, called Pearl Homes, asks but does not force residents to live by greener behaviors in their homes, properties and communities.

For their efforts, they get to fly a handsome blue flag in their front lawn, with the image of a big, healthy pearl shining from an open oyster shell - and the satisfaction of knowing they are doing their small part to help the environment.

"We can't rely on the government solely to get the job done," said Player Butler, as she signed up for the program. "People are creating the problem, and they should step up and do something to clean it up."

Lynnhaven River Now, an environmental group, is sponsoring Pearl Homes. Its volunteers counted more than 60 new members by noon Saturday at the first-ever Lynnhaven River Fall Festival, held at the Virginia Beach Middle School.

Participants must fill out a short form and check off at least 15 environmental actions they take in their lives, including picking up their pet wastes, planting a tree, installing a rain barrel, and spreading less fertilizer on lawns and gardens.

It is a simple, voluntary attempt to get the city's 430,000 residents to change their ways, if only slightly, and to recognize their role in protecting local resources.

Because the Lynnhaven is surrounded by mostly residential development, a program aimed at reducing the impact of humans is vital to cleaning up the river, said Karen Forget, executive director of Lynnhaven River Now.

"The Lynnhaven doesn't have any industrial problems," Forget said. "We have some impacts from commercial development. But mostly, it's us. And we can do better."

The program is nearly identical to one started earlier this year by environmentalists trying to resurrect the Elizabeth River in Norfolk. That drive, called River Star Homes, also features lawn flags and household pledges. More than 550 residents have enlisted so far, double what organizers with the Elizabeth River Project had anticipated. The group expects to enroll 1,000 residents within the watershed by April, with a focus on the Lafayette River, a branch of the Elizabeth similarly lined by homes, condos and apartments.

To launch Pearl Homes, Lynnhaven River Now won an $8,000 grant from state sales of Chesapeake Bay license plates. The funds helped to buy 500 flags and lawn hangers, as well as money to hold the Lynnhaven River Fall Festival.

The festival featured organic food sales, free lectures, environmental games and crafts for children, and opportunities for residents to get involved in river programs.

Don Runyon braved chilly, blustery conditions to sign up his house as a Pearl Home. He lives on the river, kayaks throughout it regularly, and has become active in the Lynnhaven restoration group.

"It takes thousands to build a village, even more for a water village," Runyon said.

He had checked off about 20 actions he already takes, but was looking for more ways to help.

"All of us can do more," he said. "It's really not hard."

Scott Harper, (757) 446-2340, scott.harper@pilotonline.com