Otter Spotters: Urban Otter Nature Walk

Discover the Hidden World of Otters: A Riverside Adventure!

Following the Otter Spotters: A Crash Course in Urban River Otters at the Elizabeth River Project's Ryan Resilience Lab, come along the scenic Elizabeth River Trail as we embark on a 1.25-mile round trip walk from Chelsea (meet at the Kraken statue - RALEIGH AVENUE AND CLAREMONT AVENUE) to the picturesque Plum Point Park and back.

What Awaits You:
Experts will unravel the secrets of urban river otters that now thrive along the Elizabeth River. Plum Point Park is a haven for these playful and elusive creatures. Learn about their habits, habitats, and the vital role they play in our ecosystem. Armed with curiosity and keen eyes, we’ll search for evidence of our river’s otters. Tracks, scat, and perhaps even a glimpse of these charismatic animals—every step holds a clue!

Along the way, soak in the breathtaking vistas of the Elizabeth River and gain a newfound appreciation for the delicate balance of nature in our city.

What to Bring:
Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated as we explore the river.
Comfy Walking Shoes: Lace up your favorite pair of sneakers or hiking boots. We’ll be exploring, so comfort is key!
Weather-Ready Attire: Dress for the elements—whether it’s sunshine or a light drizzle, we’ll embrace it all.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with nature, learn from experts, and uncover the hidden wonders of our river. Reserve your spot now and be part of the Elizabeth River Otter Expedition!

The program will be a partnership of the Elizabeth River Project, Elizabeth River Trail, the River Otter Ecology Project and FieldScope.

Part of The Ryan Resilience Series
Made Possible by Virginia Natural Gas

THE MISSION of the non-profit Elizabeth River Project seemed almost impossible when we started 30 years ago: To turn around the health of an urban river at the time presumed dead, with high rates of cancer in fish. These decades later, fishermen flock to the Elizabeth River, also known as the military and commercial harbor of Norfolk, VA, for some of the best fishing in the region. Otters and dolphin are back. The 2023 scorecard by area scientists for the first time gives the river several grades of “A” for overall water quality. More than 6,500 residents, 56 schools and 148 businesses participate with us as “River Stars,” voluntarily doing their part to reduce pollution and restore wildlife habitat.

However, an existential threat looms over the health of this ecosystem and its communities. Norfolk is experiencing the highest rate of relative sea level rise on the East Coast. As the river overflows normal bounds, reaching far into city blocks and then receding, it loads the Elizabeth with a toxic soup. Also unraveling the Elizabeth River Project’s pioneer progress with restoring wetlands, the rising seas are predicted to drown as much as 80 percent of this river’s marshes over the next 50 to 70 years.

Virginia Natural Gas with its signature gift for 2023 will make possible the first programming for our nationally important answer, the Ryan Resilience Lab, 4610 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA. Many coastal communities experience our challenges. The Ryan Lab will present a global model for how to live, work and play in the urban flood plain as sea levels rise. While final construction is still underway for the grounds and some of the green systems, we can’t wait to start programs. With special thanks to Virginia Natural Gas, we’re launching the Ryan Resilience Series in November 2023 with some of the freshest programming on sea level resilience anywhere.

You’re invited! Presenting present and future challenges and solutions for humans and the ecosystem as sea levels rise. Fresh, inspiring, thought-provoking programs in art, history and science, with a priority for engaging marginalized communities. All programs include optional, provocative tours of the Ryan Lab, designed with resilient technologies replicable to the public.

For more information on the Ryan Resilience Series, please contact Jamie Melvin, jmelvin@elizabethriver.org, 757-399-7487