In 2002, a committed group of local citizens came together to foster partnerships that would apply public and private resources to the challenge of reducing pollution in the Lynnhaven. That core group formed the nucleus of what has grown into an award winning river restoration project with over 8,000 members called Lynnhaven River NOW. “Now” because the work of restoring and protecting the beautiful Lynnhaven River is something that we can do NOW for ourselves and for our children and grandchildren. Over the years, our programs have grown to encompass the entire city with Pearl Homes, Pearl Businesses, Pearl Faith Communities and Pearl Schools in every watershed in Virginia Beach. Our goal is clean and healthy Virginia Beach waterways and our objectives are: - To identify and reduce sources of contamination in our waterways; reduce nutrients, sediments and chemicals running off of our lawns, parking lots, roadways, farmland and out of our septic systems. - To educate and engage the community and partner organizations in restoring and protecting our waterways and natural areas. - To restore lost habitats such as oyster reefs, salt marshes,native plants, forests and other buffers that help to filter polluted runoff and protect our waterways and their marine life.