If you haven't heard the good news yet, Southside ReLeaf is working with the city to bring five new parks online in South Richmond! One of those parks will be along Ernest Road, but this site is currently overrun with invasive vines like English Ivy. We are seeking volunteers on July 30 and 31 to help us clear a trail that will provide better access to the space. This will be the first step in transforming this space into a beautiful new park. 

 When are the workdays?

We are seeking volunteers on Tuesday, July 30 and Wednesday, July 31 from 10:30 am to 2 pm to support English Ivy removal. Training on how to remove these invasive vines will be provided from 10:30 - 11:30 am on the first workday, July 30. This volunteer activity will involve bending and kneeling as ivy is removed by hand. Volunteers are encouraged but not required to sign up for both workdays. 

 Where are the workdays?

Using your GPS, navigate to 4701 Ernest Rd. Parking will be in a residential neighborhood on the street. Parking anywhere nearby is sufficient, but please do not block driveways or mailboxes.

 What should I bring?

Please wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Please bring a refillable water bottle and bug spray. Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own pair. You may want to bring a long sleeve shirt for protection from bugs and scrapes (the temperature under the canopy will be significantly lower, so it may actually be bearable to wear it despite the heat).

 Do I need to sign up?

Yes! Please sign up using CFengage so we can be sure to bring enough supplies for everyone. If you have any questions about these workdays, please email Lisa at lisa@southsidereleaf.org.

If you haven't heard the good news yet, Southside ReLeaf is working with the city to bring five new parks online in South Richmond! One of those parks will be along Ernest Road, but this site is currently overrun with invasive vines like English Ivy. We are seeking volunteers on July 30 and 31 to help us clear a trail that will provide better access to the space. This will be the first step in transforming this space into a beautiful new park. 

 When are the workdays?

We are seeking volunteers on Tuesday, July 30 and Wednesday, July 31 from 10:30 am to 2 pm to support English Ivy removal. Training on how to remove these invasive vines will be provided from 10:30 - 11:30 am on the first workday, July 30. This volunteer activity will involve bending and kneeling as ivy is removed by hand. Volunteers are encouraged but not required to sign up for both workdays. 

 Where are the workdays?

Using your GPS, navigate to 4701 Ernest Rd. Parking will be in a residential neighborhood on the street. Parking anywhere nearby is sufficient, but please do not block driveways or mailboxes.

 What should I bring?

Please wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Please bring a refillable water bottle and bug spray. Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own pair. You may want to bring a long sleeve shirt for protection from bugs and scrapes (the temperature under the canopy will be significantly lower, so it may actually be bearable to wear it despite the heat).

 Do I need to sign up?

Yes! Please sign up using CFengage so we can be sure to bring enough supplies for everyone. If you have any questions about these workdays, please email Lisa at lisa@southsidereleaf.org.

Richmond Grows Gardens is hosting its first Herbal Workshop at the Southside Oak Grove Community Garden!

This event will take place on Sunday, April 28 from 1-4 pm with a discussion about herbal use, resiliency, and how to take more agency with our health and wellness.

Volunteers will learn how to care for the plants and how plants can care for us in return. Folks will experience an herbal tea tasting and receive an informational zine about the herbs we are growing. We will also plant herbs from our greenhouse in the community garden bed!

All our welcome, however, folks from the Oak Grove Community Garden and neighborhood will be prioritized first. If you are interested in participating, please email rggamericorps@gmail.com.

The Richmond Outdoor Gear Library (ROGL) is a newly established 501(c)(3) non profit with a mission to close the accessibility gap to outdoor recreation and education through *free high-quality gear rental services, community programs, and educational workshops. ROGL’s first-ever community workshop is coming up on April 28 at Fonticello Park from 12-2pm. If you’re new to camping and wanting to learn the basics of camp set up in a comfortable, welcoming, and supportive environment, then this event is for YOU!

At this workshop you will:
* Learn through comprehensive instruction, hands-on practice, and friendly challenges how to set up a variety of different tent styles
* Learn more about ROGL and its services to the Richmond community as a FREE and public outdoor recreation and education resource
* Get connected with other outdoor recreationists, both new and seasoned!

Follow @rvaoutdoorgearlibrary on Instagram for more information

Celebrate Earth Day this weekend by planting trees! Join the Swansboro West Civic Association, Richmond Tree Stewards and fellow community members on Saturday, April 20 to plant 15-20 trees. We'll meet at 10 am at the corner of East 35th Street and McLennan Street. Tools will be provided along with drinking water.

Contact Steve with any questions at rvaswansborowest@gmail.com.

This is part of the Neighborhood Climate Resilience Grant to plant 100 new trees in Swansboro West over the next two years.

In partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, we invite you to join us for an Outdoor Lunch & Learn on Saturday, April 13 from 11 am - 1 pm in the Bellemeade Outdoor Classroom. We'll be talking about our collective work in South Richmond to green our community and ways you can get involved in climate action as a resident. Lunch will be provided by Gold Lion Community Cafe and you'll have the opportunity to get to know faith leaders and residents in Southside.

Please RSVP at bit.ly/SSRLLunchLearn to ensure we order enough lunch for everyone