UVa students give back

A thumbs-up also goes to the University of Virginia School of Architecture, which partnered with the Elizabeth River Project to create the Learning Barge.

If you don’t know what a “learning barge” is, don’t feel bad. This is the first of its kind.

The $1.2 million hand-made vessel was christened Monday after a three-year effort, with UVa students and ERP volunteers continuing to put finishing touches on the project right up through Sunday night.

Some of the workers included former students who had graduated since the three-year project began but who flew in to Portsmouth to contribute.

The barge is described as “the world’s first floating wetland classroom” and will be used to teach school groups about wetlands and their place in the larger environment. The barge can be towed from place to place as needed.

The barge is also notable for being designed to leave no carbon footprint.

Gifts, sponsorships and in-kind donations from some 50 sources helped pay for the project, which has already won several national environmental and architectural awards.