On June 13, 2009, the Lafayette Wetlands Partnership celebrated the completion of a two year effort to restore and preserve a pocket wetland located at 46th and Colley Avenue in Norfolk.  The project was funded by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Virginia Environmental Endowment, and by donations from the Colonial Place/Riverview and Larchmont Civic Leagues, Fellini’s Restaurant and Adams Outdoor Advertising, Inc. 

Why did we do it?  Because urban wetlands:

•Filter soil and pollutants out of runoff.

•Provide habitat for birds, fish and marine life.

•Act as a sponge, helping to reduce flooding.

•Improve the health of our creeks, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

•Add beauty and value to our homes and neighborhoods.

What did we do?

•Removed 400 square feet of concrete and other debris.

•Planted native and flowering wetland plants to prevent erosion and add beauty along the        bank.

•Planted native marsh grass (Spartina alterniflora) to restore 1500 square feet of the wetland.

The experience gained through this project touched many areas of wetland preservation: site evaluation, goal-setting, volunteer recruitment and retention,  site plan development, permitting, contracting, project management, and marketing.  The Partnership now has two responsibilities:

•Sustaining the investment in the 46th Street wetland.

•Encouraging other groups to undertake wetland stewardship initiatives in their neighborhoods and consulting with them to help them succeed.

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