Rotarians and Boy Scouts unite to plant beach grass

By Irene Bowers, The Virginian-Pilot - 12/24/2006

BAYSIDE—A doubling of effort made light work of a local environmental project when the Virginia Beach Rotary Club and Boy Scout Troop 66, based in Kempsville, joined forces to plant beach grass at the public boat ramp at Lesner Bridge.  

“This is the first time we have planted beach grass, and it was a great project for both our organizations,” said George Sabol, president of the Virginia Beach Rotary Club. “As part of our international mission, Rotarians look for ways to provide and protect clean water. As a service organization, we also look for local projects, so working with the local Boy Scouts in this effort was very rewarding.”

“It went a lot faster than we’d anticipated,” Stuart Hale said of the 2 1/2 hours of work. Hale helped coordinate the Dec. 9 event, as both a member of the Virginia Beach Rotary Club and father to 13-year-old Michael Hale, a Scout in Troop 66.

“The Rotary signed on initially, and I realized that involving the Scouts would help them achieve service hours. It was a natural connection for both groups, Hale said.

Michael, a seventh-grader at Kemps Landing Magnet School, said the project was fun and worthwhile.  "I'd definitely do it again," he said.  "It prevents erosion and creates habitats for animals; that's a good thing to do for the area."

Coordinated with the Virginia Beach Planning Department, the project installed 1,500 units of American beach grass.

“The city has an ongoing effort to plant beach grass at the bayfront and oceanfront,” said Rick Scarper of the Virginia Beach Planning Department. “American beach grass holds coastal sand in place, is able to withstand salt spray and is drought resistant.”

Scarper said the grass was installed along a sandy, sloped embankment adjacent to Crab Creek in an effort to prevent further erosion.

Virginia Beach Rotary Club currently has 68 members and meets Thursday evenings at the Doubletree on 19th Street. 

“Last year we contributed over $10,000 to local charities,” Sabol said. Local charities they support include Virginia Beach Crisis Home, Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Troop 66 is led by Scoutmaster Duane Stanfield. The group of 20 Scouts meets regularly at Fairfield Elementary and is sponsored by the Ruritan Club. Other projects taken on by Troop 66 include singing Christmas carols at local nursing homes and helping with the MS-150 Bike Race each year.

George Incheck, who attended the grass planting with his son, Andrew Incheck, 14, said: “Boy Scouts are stewards of the outdoors — they do a lot to protect and preserve wildlife and the environment — and they are also committed to community service.  The goal is to turn boys into young men who care not only about themselves but for their community and their country. A couple of hours planting beach grass is all part of that goal.”       

Reach correspondent Irene Bowers at bowersi@aol.com