GIVE
GIVE

Governor Hails Newest Oyster Milestone

Gov. Ralph Northam boarded our Dominion Energy Learning Barge to celebrate this latest great news and announce $10 million in his state budget for oyster restoration Virginia-wide. 

 

Governor Hails Newest Oyster Milestone

Governor Northam joined Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander, Elizabeth River Project and other dignitaries aboard our Learning Barge Thursday in part to celebrate this big win for the Chesapeake Bay: Full restoration of oyster habitat in an unlikely bay tributary, the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River.

Flowing from the Berkley Bridge east to Kempsville, the Eastern Branch has suffered from low visibility. But our region-wide plan for this branch has brought much needed attention. While the plan included a goal for 10 acres of restored oyster habitat, “I’m happy to say we overshot that goal by more than 10 additional acres,” achieving instead almost 24 acres, Joe Rieger, our Deputy Director – Restoration, told the gathering. Dignitaries then loaded into boats to place the final materials on the newest reef.

From Virginia Marine Resources Commission to Elizabeth River Project’s River Star Homes, diverse partners achieved the oyster goal. “Today the lost branch is now found,” Joe said. Read the Bay Journal article here. Racking up victories, our earlier Lafayette plan with many partners led to the Lafayette branch of the Elizabeth becoming the first Virginia tributary to achieve full oyster habitat restoration.

Thanks to you, members, for making all our work possible – and thanks to the governor for his important new commitment. Watch the WAVY 10 video coverage, read the Governor’s press release, and view the 13 News Now coverage here.
 

Giving is Beautiful

Making a financial contribution to the Elizabeth River Project is an easy way to Do Something Beautiful. Make a one-time donation or make it monthly!

Give Now

Recent Posts

Ryan Resilience Lab Event Request

Thank you for your interest in the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab. We’re delighted that our site is in high demand. As the Ryan Resilience Lab is operated by a small non-profit with a big environmental mission, please help us make sure your event is a great fit.

Our priority is to host groups with relevance to our mission: to restore the Elizabeth River through equitable collaboration with diverse communities, governments, and businesses. When space and staff support are available, we are happy to host such groups free of charge, but do request that you consider an organizational membership and allow us to offer the opportunity for individual memberships.

Please fill this form out at least 30 days in advance of the event.

Our maximum for indoor seated events is 85 theater style and 45 classroom style. For standing receptions, the maximum is 100 indoors or 125 indoor-outdoor.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Start Time(Required)
:
End Time(Required)
:
Set Up Time
:
Take Down Time
:
Set Up Preferences(Required)
Check all that apply
Audio/Visual Needs(Required)
Check all that apply

If given the go-ahead for our event, sponsor organization agrees to these Ryan Lab policies:

Yes, we will offer attendees the option to tour the Ryan Lab(Required)
Yes, Elizabeth River Project can make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding mission and ways to get involved(Required)
Yes, we will consider an organizational membership with Elizabeth River Project to support its mission of restoring the Elizabeth River(Required)
Yes, we agree to sustainable/responsible event practices(Required)

Additionally, sponsor organization agrees to these administrative/liability requirements:

  • ERP maintains insurance for its activities at the Ryan Lab. Sponsoring organizations should ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage as well.
  • Weapons are prohibited.
  • Open flames generally are prohibited (special permission only).
  • Outdoor guests will be required to exit the Learning Park during thunder, lightning, high winds or any circumstance deemed hazardous by ERP.
  • Waiver of Claims: Sponsoring organizations agree to release, waive all claims, discharge, and covenant not to sue Elizabeth River Project, its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents from liability from any and all claims resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in the event and related tours, due to the negligence of sponsor, sponsor's employees, or event participants.
  • Notice of Claims: Sponsor agrees to provide immediate notice to ERP if any participant either files, or threatens to file, a claim arising from or related to the event, so that ERP can notify its insurance carriers.
  • COVID Statement: Participants will monitor their own health prior to reporting to any Elizabeth River Project event/activity. If any signs or symptoms of infection are present, the individual must not report to the event.
  • Photo Release: Photos of the event may be shared as part of grant reporting or posted on Elizabeth River Project website/social media unless otherwise specified by the sponsor organization.
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Youth Water Monitoring Results

Entry Data

Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Time(Required)
:

Sample Data

Bacteria

Observations

Drop files here or
Accepted file types: jpg, png, heic, tiff, Max. file size: 256 MB.
    Add any field observation photos here