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LOC Interns finish off strong in the VBPS Environmental Studies Program

  • Writer: Chris
    Chris
  • May 1
  • 3 min read

LOC interns, Aubrey Moore, Isabelle Chao & Noah Wagner presented their senior projects in late April 2025. This segment highlights their projects.


We are extremely proud of our interns and the experience has inspired us to create a new student program for the Environmental Studies Program class of 2025-26.

Members: thank you for your support of the Club and providing the opportunity to share the Lynnhaven Oyster Club experience with the next generation of oyster lovers.


Aubrey's research will continue beyond her senior presentation in advocating for more effective preservation and expansion of tree canopy to various city commissions. Aubrey will be attending the College of William and Mary in the fall.
Aubrey's research will continue beyond her senior presentation in advocating for more effective preservation and expansion of tree canopy to various city commissions. Aubrey will be attending the College of William and Mary in the fall.

Creating the Community I want to see - by Aubrey Moore.


Aubrey Moore's life has consistently been intertwined with nature, engaging in activities such as hiking, fishing, and paddle boarding within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Aubrey states, "These activities have instilled in me a profound passion for environmental conservation, supported by two years of environmental science education in both classroom and community settings."


This year, inspired by the history and current condition of Pleasure House Point and her involvement with the Bayfront Advisory Commission and Flood Prevention Oversight Board, she decided to investigate how the city can better value natural resources like tree canopy in urban planning, acknowledging their environmental, ecological, and social advantages.


Aubrey Moore gained experience on LOC's farm as an Intern. You can see her presentation here.
Aubrey Moore gained experience on LOC's farm as an Intern. You can see her presentation here.

The Ideal Oyster - by Isabelle Chao


Isabelle captured her data during LOC work sessions, inspiring us to monitor our own practices and systems for real-time analytics. This analysis is similar to what universities and extension offices do to help their state's agricultural industries thrive in competitive markets. Isabelle will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall.
Isabelle captured her data during LOC work sessions, inspiring us to monitor our own practices and systems for real-time analytics. This analysis is similar to what universities and extension offices do to help their state's agricultural industries thrive in competitive markets. Isabelle will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall.

In Isabelle Chao's "The Ideal Oyster" project, she compares data collected on oysters that are grown in two different gear systems to see which produces oysters closest to the ideal 1:3 depth:length ratio and 2:3 width:length ratio.


One of the systems under evaluation is the traditional rack and bag system of oyster grow-out. It is a static assembly of underwater racks that are fixed to the river bottom and support bags of oysters. The bags are strapped to the rack using bungee cord. The other system under study is a prototype system, constructed by the intern team. Its major difference from rack and bag is that it is not as static. While both systems comply with Virginia's general use permit that state oyster aquaculture gear cannot extend higher than 12" off the bottom, the thinking is that a less static system could help oysters grow to closer to these ideal ratios.


Senior Environmental Studies Program director Chris Freeman introduces Isabelle. Isabelle's presentation can be found here
Senior Environmental Studies Program director Chris Freeman introduces Isabelle. Isabelle's presentation can be found here

Noah Wagner's Two-Year Journey


Some of Noah's research on the economic impacts of the oyster industry came came from a report furnished by the Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) of Virginia Tech.
Some of Noah's research on the economic impacts of the oyster industry came came from a report furnished by the Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) of Virginia Tech.

Noah's two year journey with the Environmental Studies Program, provided opportunity in both his junior and senior years to participate in new and innovative projects and internships.


During his junior year, Noah worked with Noresco to curate a showcase of the LEED sustainable buildings in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools system.


As a senior, Noah was part of a three-person intern team (including Aubrey and Isabelle featured above).


Noah's presentation weaved the social, environmental and economic benefits of the oyster industry into a compelling business case for being an oyster aquaculture professional.



Noah's EcoSummit presentation can be found here. Noah will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall.
Noah's EcoSummit presentation can be found here. Noah will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall.

LOC Interns make the local news ...



LOC interns, Aubrey Moore, Isabelle Chao & Noah Wagner, were interviewed this past fall by Erika Craven of WTKR(3) to learn more about our work with the VB Schools Environmental Studies Program.



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