As part of Agoge Week 2022, students took part in an environmental justice event that took place Saturday, Aug. 27. The event was organized in collaboration with Campus Life and Diversity, Student Activities, the Biology Department, and the Elizabeth River Project. This was organized as an initial effort by Norfolk State University’s new Environmental Justice Incubator, whose goal is to expand the capacity of community-wide partners engaged in restoring the natural environment and waterways here in southeastern Virginia.
The leads for the event were Dr. Stephen Via, Assistant Professor of Biology, and Pam Boatwright of Elizabeth River Project, with support from Torilus Ward, Director of Grounds. Together, they guided NSU students in dividing shoreline grasses into new pots. The grasses planted by the students are now growing in the NSU greenhouse and will be used for planting in future shoreline restoration projects along the Elizabeth River and its tributaries.
According to Dr. Michael O. Keeve, Dean of the NSU College of Science, Engineering and Technology , the overall objective of the Environmental Justice Incubator will be to expand the capacity of community-wide partners engaged in restoring the Elizabeth River and in sustaining the motivation of communities in vulnerable areas to take part in water quality improvements.
This initial effort is part of a three-year partnership between the University and the Elizabeth River Project that will establish an equity model for the Chesapeake Bay for environmental restoration.
Norfolk State University was recognized by the Elizabeth River Project as a Model Level River Star Business earlier this year, and projects like these are one of the many reasons NSU serves as a model.