about BBRF
The Back Bay Restoration Foundation, Ltd. ("BBRF") is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 to address the deteriorating water quality of Back Bay. This estuary, part of the largest watershed in the City of Virginia Beach, suffers from pollution generated by changing land uses in one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Sportsmen and conservationists alike have committed themselves to BBRF's activities of environmental education and ecosystem monitoring and enhancement. Under the leadership of an eleven member Board of Directors, BBRF established a successful program of cooperation and coordination of its activities with local, state and federal governmental and private organizations. In 1988, BBRF was named the "Water Conservationist of the Year" by the Virginia Wildlife Federation in recognition of its conservation efforts in Virginia. Membership is rising and currently stands at approximately fourteen hundred (1,400) members.
Preservation, enhancement and improvement of the water quality and wetlands located in the Back Bay and North Landing River watersheds has become BBRF's expanded focus. Susan Wenzel, Executive Director, coordinates BBRF activities and daily operations. The successful fund raising efforts of the Board of Directors, particularly through the annual Flyway Feast, a pig roast and auction, have allowed the Executive Director to focus her attention on the conservation and educational efforts of BBRF, particularly the recent watershed riparian buffer plantings and the annual Back Bay Forum. Since its inception, one of the primary activities of BBRF has been water quality monitoring. Now, bi- monthly, at six (6) selected sites along the western shore of Back Bay, measurements are taken and samples obtained. These samples are sent to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality lab in Richmond where tests are performed for several criteria. Though samples are only lab-analyzed bi-monthly, testing is performed every month on the core parameters.
The success of BBRF projects has had a positive impact on the Back Bay ecosystem. Projects have included participation in events such as Earth Day, Student Environmental Conference, Strawberry Festival, and the Wildfowl Festival. Past activities have included the planting of aquatic vegetation, building and maintenance of wood duck nesting boxes and osprey nesting platforms, and the Adopt-a-Waterway program. A new program begun in 1998 is the Tram service, providing transportation from Little Island City Park through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to False Cape State Park. The BBRF volunteer guided tram ride program has been an enormous success, bringing regional attention to BBRF efforts and thousands of interested people to the Refuge and State Park.
