World Otter Day

Celebrate World Otter Day and Join Otter Spotter!
Ever wondered how to spot an otter? Join Elizabeth River Project as we celebrate World Otter Day through stories, presentations, tours, crafts, and otterly fantastic programming. Learn about otters of the Elizabeth River, the amazing recovery of our waters that makes their presence possible, and how you can become an official Otter Spotter! This is an event for all ages.

Highlights of the Event:

• Guided Tours of the Ryan Resilience Lab: Explore the innovative solutions and research dedicated to preserving the Elizabeth River and its surrounding ecosystems. Tours leave at 10:15am, 11am, and 12pm.
• Story Time: Join Elizabeth River Project Staff at 10:30am for an inspiring storybook about river otters. Then, share your own otter stories!
• Otter Spotter Presentation: At 11am, learn about the otters of the Elizabeth River, the otter spotter program, and how you can help us learn more about the recovery of this indicator species.
• Kids Activities: Meet some river critters and learn about your local otters through crafting activities. See what it's like to be an otter with an otter mask and hat!
• Otter Programming with WHRO: Learn about river otters with Wild Kratts!
• EcoDistrict Information: Gain insights into the EcoDistrict and learn how you can be part of this movement towards a greener, more resilient community located in the Highland Park Neighborhood that we are so lucky to be a part of. 
• River Star Home Sign-Ups: Take a step toward becoming a champion for environmental stewardship by signing up to be a River Star Home. Plus, take home a free garden flag as a symbol of your commitment!

When the River Otter Ecology Project in California —a beacon of conservation and community science—had the chance to expand across America, they chose two rivers that pulse with life and promise. One of those rivers? Our very own Elizabeth River! Join the otterly amazing adventure at Elizabeth River Project's Ryan Resilience Lab for a crash course on the natural history of river otters, how to find them, and their importance as an indicator species of healthy rivers. “We’re very interested in urban river otters. Their presence reminds us that wildlife can thrive in close proximity with densely populous areas, given the right circumstances,” said Megan Isadore, founder of River Otter Ecology Project, of her choice of the Elizabeth. “A big predator coming back like that, on an urban river, is fabulous.”