 Wonder
what a feather blenny is? And what's all this fuss about mummichogs? Why are
they so important?
One of the best ways to find out is to
visit The Elizabeth River Project's new waterfront facility in downtown
Portsmouth and see for yourself! Governor Mark Warner did, along with area
students and Princess Elizabeth (see photo at right).
Outstanding exhibits like the 150-gallon
aquarium designed by Nauticus
and the Virginia Marine
Science Museum help demonstrate what these creatures as well as
flounder, tongue fish, seagrasses and more mean to the life of the
river...and to the people who live and work near it. This "up close
and personal" look at how a healthy river bottom would look and
function helps underscore the importance of restoring the river.
Outside, black-eyed
susans, purple coneflowers and other native plants provide a live
demonstration of the interactive native plant exhibit inside. Visitors
test their knowledge of which species are native, providing benefits to
river wildlife, and which are invasive, foreign species (the red light
comes on if you guess wrong).
Behind the laboratory counter, volunteers
engage visitors with fascinating information about the Elizabeth River and
how they can get involved in the restoration efforts.
Click the thumbnail photos below to see more exhibits.
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