Virginia Zoo to dedicate wetlands project Jan. 22

Posted to: Environment News Norfolk

By Debbie Messina
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 14, 2009

NORFOLK

The Virginia Zoo will dedicate a wetland conservation project and new Lafayette River classroom at 10 a.m. Jan. 22.

Community volunteers, zoo staff and other partners invested more than 170 hours of restoration work.

They planted about 9,000 trees, grasses, shrubs and plants, and placed oyster shells from local restaurants off the shoreline to create the base for an oyster reef and to protect the new plants.

Workers installed a small handicapped-accessible walkway and viewing area made of concrete, as well as a platform to attract ospreys to nest.

The project was made possible by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and support from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the city's Bureau of Environmental Services, the Elizabeth River Project, Keep Norfolk Beautiful, the Lafayette Wetlands Project and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Restoration Center.

Zoo director Greg Bockheim said the area will help zoo visitors better understand the impact of wetlands.

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