Outdoors

How to Celebrate Earth Day in Virginia Beach

Each Earth Day, we look to do our part to help preserve and protect the environment of our beautiful city so that future generations can enjoy it as we have. From helping support our local agriculture to learning more about how we are protecting and restoring our local, natural resources, here are some ways you can join us in keeping it green this Earth Day.

Take in the wonders of the Virginia Aquarium.

A couple takes photos of fish in an underwater tunnel at an aquarium.

The marine science center’s primary goal is to inspire conservation through education, research and sustainable practices, and they’re always recruiting visitors of all ages to join them! You can sign up to take a behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations, join its award-winning stranding response team to help rescue and learn more about our local sea life, or join in on the team’s efforts to build new oyster reefs.

Visit a U-Pick farm in Pungo.

Hands holding freshly picked strawberries in the foreground; a person in a white dress picking strawberries in the background, under a clear blue sky in a sunny field.

Farms like Cullipher Farm, Flanagan Farms, Henley Farms, Brookdale Farm and more offer U-Pick strawberries and a variety of handpicked produce.

Hop aboard an oyster-farming boat tour with Pleasure House Oysters.

A hand reaches towards a wire basket filled with oysters near the water.

Help harvest the legendary Lynnhaven oysters, which are known for their delectable size and saltiness.

Attend an event at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

Spacious convention center interior with a wooden ceiling, escalators, and a reflective pond. Large windows provide natural light. Minimal furniture and a few people are visible.

The country’s first convention center to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Gold certification and to meet the strict standards of the Living Building Challenge.

Enjoy a nature walk at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center.
A modern, rectangular building with a raised platform stands in a grassy field at dusk. The lights inside are on, and the sky is clear with a few clouds.

Offering stunning views of the Lynnhaven River and engaging in hands-on and enriching outdoor educational experiences. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center, is one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the world.

Dive into fresh local sustainable seafood at restaurants like Catch 31.

People enjoying seafood and drinks at an outdoor restaurant, with a platter of oysters and crab legs on the table.

The Virginia Aquarium works hard to promote sustainable eating through its Sensible Seafood Program, encouraging locals and visitors alike to enjoy ocean-friendly seafood. Through a series of Sensible Seafood partners, the program focuses on the importance of buying local, which in turn delivers a fresher and tastier dish to your table.

With so many fun, fulfilling and tasty ways to give back to our planet, we not only look forward to Earth Day each year, but think it is cause for celebration. Thanks to a host of eco-friendly ways in which to enjoy our unique coastal surroundings, living the sustainable life in Virginia Beach has never been easier.

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