Hundreds of Native Saplings from Pleasure House Point Relocated Thanks to Parks & Recreation Staff and Volunteers

Earlier this month dozens of volunteers gathered, many with shovel in hand, for the three-day Pleasure House Point Tree Sapling Relocation Project in partnership with Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation. The goal? Preserving and relocating native tree saplings and grasses from the area to ensure they continue to thrive.  

The team worked together to identify, dig, pot and transport the plants to local nurseries, where they will be cared for, or to restoration sites in the city. In total, 650 native trees, including over 100 native live oaks and more than 100 grasses were relocated. Other native species that were relocated during the project include American holly, yaupon holly, loblolly pine, eastern red cedar, southern magnolia, red oak, black cherry, wax myrtle and salt bush. 

By the numbers:  

• Three days 
• 62 volunteers  
• Eight Parks & Recreation staff  
• 650 native trees, including 100 live oaks saved  
• 100+ grasses saved 
• 292 total volunteer hours   

Volunteers came from groups such as Friends of Live Oaks, Lynnhaven River NOW, Tidewater Master Naturalist, Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club and students from the Virginia Beach City Public School’s Environmental Studies program. In recent weeks, these students braved the cold weather to conduct a tree inventory at the site, identifying the diameter, species and condition of over 5,000 trees in the restoration area.  

The Pleasure House Point Wetlands Restoration Project aims to return eight acres of land to its natural tidal wetland state. Wetlands play a critical role in filtering pollutants, providing habitats, protecting against flooding, and maintaining biodiversity. As part of the project, more than 600 trees will be planted, including 336 live oaks and 192 water oaks. The project also creates a sustainable solution for future flood protection projects in the city by mitigating wetlands usage and maintenance. 
 
For more information and to see project updates, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/PHPproject.