Virginia

Virginia Tech extension expert shares Hampton Roads ‘buffer’ plants that can fight erosion

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2022

Virginia Tech extension expert shares Hampton Roads ‘buffer’ plants that can fight erosion

An “city buffer” is what you name metropolis crops that border a supply of water. They can assist you retain your land in place throughout storms.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Flooding is not only a nuisance in Hampton Roads. It could actually trigger long-lasting environmental and financial issues.

“Erosion is principally the sporting away of the soil. And so it may be performed by wind or by water, and right here in Hampton Roads, we’ve got each conditions, particularly with a few of our coastal storms — our nor’easters and hurricanes — we get numerous erosion alongside shorelines. And that is property that persons are shedding, and also you simply cannot get it again.”

That is how Dr. Laurie Fox, a horticulture affiliate and researcher on the Virginia Tech Agricultural Analysis and Extension Heart in Virginia Seaside, places it.

The middle is one in every of 11 analysis labs related to the extension program all through Virginia. She’s the native professional on landscaping to cease erosion.

The important thing to stopping your grime from washing away is what’s known as a “buffer,” any crops that an individual places on the banks of a physique of water.

“We now have two important forms of buffers right here, the freshwater buffer … after which should you dwell on brackish or saltwater, you continue to have that space of vegetation, however the crops are very completely different, as a result of they must tolerate the salt,” Fox defined. “More often than not, that is known as a ‘residing shoreline.’”

And even because the professional, Fox stated there’s numerous flexibility relating to defending your property.

“It actually is determined by your location, and what the positioning situations are, and what the consumer needs, so it’s important to mix all of these issues and put them collectively kind of just like the items of a puzzle,” she stated. “But it surely might be one thing so simple as having a really dense, wholesome stand of turf, so you do not have areas for naked floor, or it might be a floor cowl, if it is an space the place turf would not essentially develop.”

Virginia Residing Museum professional provides recommendations on selecting crops to draw pollinators forward of native plant sale

If you happen to’re on the lookout for a serious change, you might create cover layers, which might incorporate crops of various heights to melt the autumn of rainwater. That might be one thing like a tall magnolia tree, over a mid-height bush, bordered by wide-leaf hostas, surrounded by a mattress of sedum. Then, the rain must push by means of a number of layers of foliage to have an effect on the bottom.

“These canopies of crops absorb numerous the water, and it by no means reaches the bottom with a view to run off. But it surely additionally softens the rain because it comes down, and offers it a greater probability to soak in,” Fox stated.

The much less erosion in Hampton Roads, the much less property loss for you, and the much less air pollution for the Chesapeake Bay.

“Sediment is without doubt one of the prime three vitamins — nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment — prime three pollution which can be regulated, that we’ve got to scale back the quantities of them going into the Chesapeake Bay,” she defined. “It is higher to handle it in small locations within the panorama than attempt to handle it after it will get into the Chesapeake Bay.”

Planting to forestall erosion comes with numerous decisions, however Fox stated the perfect plant you might put money into can be an evergreen perennial. That method, they’re nonetheless working their magic by means of the winter months, and also you get the advantages of fibrous root methods that have a tendency to return with perennial crops.

“Your woody crops, like your shrubs and bushes, they have an inclination to have root methods that go deeper within the floor, which is sweet, however they are not as fibrous. They do not have a tendency to carry that prime layer of soil as nicely,” Fox stated.

She stated extra crops are tolerant of short-term flooding than individuals would anticipate.

AREC’s public gardens on Diamond Springs Highway present individuals some simple crops that may assist preserve your soil the place it belongs.

Nonetheless, should you actually cannot get something to develop in an space susceptible to heavy rain, Fox stated mulching that space may make a distinction. Something works higher than naked floor.

Listed here are some crops Dr. Fox identified as choices for locals:

Tolerant Virginia freshwater buffer crops

Aaronsbeard St. Johnswort
Ajuga
Asiatic jasmine
Huge Bue Lilyturf cultivars
Bugleweed
Canadian Wild Ginger
Candytuft
Creeping Phlox
Creeping Juniper
Japanese Backyard Juniper
Japanese Pachysandra
Helleborus
Hosta cultivars
Ice Plant
Lamb’s Ear
Liriope
Strawberry begonias
Sedum
Thyme
Verbena
Wild Ginger

Virginia saltwater residing shoreline crops:

American Beachgrass
Butterfly Weed
Widespread Yucca
Japanese Prickly-pear
Grayfeather Blazing Star
Knotroot foxtail grass
Little Bluestem
Olney Threesquare
Saltmarsh Bulrush
Saltmarsh Cordgrass
Saltmeadow Cordgrass
Seaside Goldenrod
Sea Rocket
Shore Juniper
Swamp Rose-mallow
Switchgrass

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Virginia

Status for Daniels and Green still uncertain for this week against Virginia Tech; Reuben done for season

Published

7 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Press Room

Status for Daniels and Green still uncertain for this week against Virginia Tech; Reuben done for season

Playing in a hard fought game against Clemson that saw the Stanford Cardinal (2-2, 1-1 ACC) fly home with the 40-14 loss, a couple players will go into this week against Virginia Tech with uncertain statuses as quarterback Ashton Daniels and defensive back Jay Green went down in the game with injuries.

Green, who has been playing nickel cornerback since joining the Cardinal, suffered a lower body injury in the first quarter of the loss and is questionable this week against Virginia Tech, with head coach Troy Taylor saying during media availability that while the team is hopeful that Green can play, they are also preparing for the possibility of him being out, and are confident in who they have to fill the void.

“We’ve got a number of guys that can do it,” Taylor said. “Aaron Morris is a young man that has started to play a lot of football and has done a good job and then we’ve got some younger freshmen that can also contribute. And then Collin Wright always has the ability to play nickel, which he did on Saturday night. He played nickel most of the evening after Jay went out.”

As for Daniels, the injury that he sustained in the fourth quarter was to his lower body and while officially listed as day-to-day, he will have a chance to be available to start this week against the Hokies. However, if he is unable to play, it will be Justin Lamson who will get the call to start with Myles Jackson and Charlie Mirer as the next ones in line.

“He’s got a chance to play,” Taylor said of Daniels’ status. “It’ll be just how much he improves throughout the week, but there’s a definite chance he can play.”

If Lamson does start, Taylor mentioned that he does not expect a big change to the game plan, as Lamson’s experience with the scheme and the first team offense will have him ready to go if need be.

“He gets half the reps in practice each day,” Taylor said. “So, we’ve got a lot of confidence in him, he knows the system well so it will not affect play calling at all.”

The Cardinal have also confirmed that wide receiver Mudia Reuben, who was poised for a big junior season, is done for the year after getting injured during the Syracuse game and is now eligible for a medical redshirt.

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about that,” Taylor said. “Obviously, he was really coming along as a player, he definitely has that option. He wants to get through the surgery and all that but, he’s got a big upside and he’s an awesome, awesome guy so if that’s something he wants to do, then I’m in full support of that.”

While Stanford awaits the status of Green and Daniels, it will also begin getting locked in and focused on preparations for a big game this week, where the team will return home for the first time in three weeks to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. Kickoff for the game will be at 12:30 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast live on the ACC Network.

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Virginia

Consumers Energy sending lineworkers to Virginia after Hurricane Helene

Published

15 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Press Room

Consumers Energy sending lineworkers to Virginia after Hurricane Helene

JACKSON, Mich. (WILX) – Consumers Energy will send 60 workers to Virginia Wednesday to assist in the repair efforts after Hurricane Helene.

About 48 lineworkers in 15 three-person crews, three individual service lineworkers, field leaders, and Consumers’ equipment will be assisting in restoring power after Helene’s historic damage. The workers may remain out of state for up to two weeks.

As of Tuesday afternoon, nearly 65,000 homes and businesses in Virginia were still without power.

“This hurricane has caused catastrophic damage that has leveled entire communities. Consumers Energy hopes we can contribute and make a difference for so many people in need,” said Chris Laird, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric operations in a statement.

“Our lineworkers have trained for conditions like these, and they will work around the clock to help get the lights back on.”

Over 1.5 million people in five states had their power affected by the Hurricane.

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Virginia

U.S. port strike starts; Port of Va. stops cargo operations – Virginia Business

Published

22 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Press Room

U.S. port strike starts; Port of Va. stops cargo operations – Virginia Business

No vessels received at Hampton Roads terminals

Published

October 1, 2024

Elizabeth Cooper

Kate Andrews

The Evergreen Ever Max container ship at the Port of Virginia in 2023. Photo courtesy Port of Virginia

A U.S. port strike started Tuesday, impacting the Port of Virginia along with every other major port on the East and Gulf coasts. International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) workers walked off work after midnight, after the union hit an impasse late Monday with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents employers.

This is the largest port strike in nearly 50 years, and depending on its length, could cause massive disruptions to the nation’s supply chain and affect the U.S. economy. In Hampton Roads, the immediate impact was felt at the Port of Virginia’s terminals, where no cargo is moving in or out of the port during the walkout.

According to the port, there are no cargo operations taking place at the Norfolk International Terminals, Virginia International Gateway or the Newport News Marine Terminal, which are currently closed. However, Virginia Port Authority employees and workers at its operating company, Virginia International Terminals, are still at work.

“Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT) and Virginia Inland Port (VIP) are operating per normal, but cargo operations there will be affected by what is happening locally. Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT) is operating per normal,” the port said on its website Tuesday.

The ILA and the USMX have been negotiating a new master contract, which would cover East Coast and Gulf Coast union workers. In Virginia, Hampton Roads Shipping Association represents employers, while ILA Local 1248 represents unionized workers at the Port of Virginia.

In an update Monday night, the USMX wrote: “In the last 24 hours, the USMX and ILA have traded counter offers related to wages. The USMX increased our offer and has also requested an extension of the current master contract, now that both sides have moved off their previous positions. We are hopeful that this could allow us to fully resume collective bargaining around the other outstanding issues – in an effort to reach an agreement. Our offer would increase wages by nearly 50%, triple employer contributions to employee retirement plans, strengthen our health care options, and retain the current language around automation and semi-automation.”

National ILA leaders last released a statement at 11 a.m. Monday: “The ocean carriers represented by USMX want to enjoy rich billion-dollar profits that they are making in 2024, while they offer ILA Longshore Workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject. ILA longshore workers deserve to be compensated for the important work they do keeping American commerce moving and growing.

“It’s disgraceful that most of these foreign-owned shipping companies are engaged in a ‘Make and Take’ operation: They want to make their billion-dollar profits at United States ports, and off the backs of American ILA longshore workers, and take those earnings out of this country and into the pockets of foreign conglomerates. Meanwhile, ILA dedicated longshore workers continue to be crippled by inflation due to USMX’s unfair wage packages.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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