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Otter Spotters: A Crash Course in Urban River Otters
March 23 @ 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Saturday, March 23rd | 1:30pm-3:30pm
Ryan Resilience Lab, 4610 Colley Ave., Norfolk, VA
FREE* public event, registration available now!
*Donations welcome
When the River Otter Ecology Project in California —a beacon of conservation and community science—had the chance to expand its wings across America, they chose two rivers that pulse with life and promise. One of those rivers? Our very own Elizabeth River!
Why the Elizabeth River?
Urban Otter Enigma: These charismatic creatures defy the concrete jungle. Their presence along our urban riverbanks is a testament to resilience and adaptability. Imagine spotting an otter next to the Battleship Wisconsin—it’s happened time and time again!
Thriving Amidst Humanity: Urban river otters prove that nature isn’t confined to remote wilderness. They thrive alongside bustling communities, weaving their way through our lives, leaving ripples of wonder in their wake.
Join otter ecologist and River Otter Ecology Project co-founder Megan Isadore at the Elizabeth River Project’s new 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,” Isadore said of her choice of the Elizabeth. “A big predator coming back like that, on an urban river, is fabulous.”
Ever wondered how to spot an otter? Megan will spill the secrets. Tracks, scat, and the art of otter spotting—it’s all part of the crash course!
The program will be a partnership of the Elizabeth River Project, the River Otter Ecology Project and FieldScope.
For more information on the Ryan Resilience Series, please contact Luisa Black Ellis, lblack@elizabethriver.org, 757-399-7487. Visit elizabethriver.org for the latest updates.
