Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia and its co-owner win 2009 Ground Water Award

Because of outstanding work in practicing water conservation, water pollution prevention and educational outreach, Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia and its co-owner, Robin Rinaca, have won the 2009 Ground Water Award from the Virginia Eastern Shore Regional Ground Water Commission.

The award is presented to individuals and groups on the Eastern Shore of Virginia who employ water conservation techniques, practice recharge area and aquifer protection and preservation, employ recycling and reuse techniques for stormwater and wastewater, prevent pollution and also serve as public educators who regularly perform community outreach.

Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia was established in 1966 in Keller, Va, and is owned and operated by husband and wife team Robin Rinaca and Nick Covatta, along with partner Mark Hopkins. The wholesale nursery grows more than 400 varieties of trees and shrubs for garden centers, re-wholesalers and landscapers from North Carolina to Illinois to Maine. The award was presented on Jan. 19, 2010.

“Ms. Rinaca and Eastern Shore Nursery have distinguished themselves in all focal areas required of this award,” said Curtis Smith, regional planner for the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission. “The nursery initiated container production as early as 1982 as part of an overall policy of water conservation and pollution prevention.”

Eastern Shore Nursery is among the first nurseries in the state to develop a Nutrient Management Plan to insure they do not have excess fertilizer that could pollute the Chesapeake Bay. Rinaca has also been very dedicated to industry, education and community outreach activities.