Click here to see our full calendar of events below
September - December 2018
Volunteer Opportunities
Paradise Creek Nature Park offers a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Over 2,000 adults and children have helped remove invasive plants, planted native trees, weeded garden beds, removed trash from the trails and wetland, and helped maintain education zones throughout the park.
Click Here for volunteer opportunities, dates, and times.
The Great Migration Bird Walk
Age: 8 yrs. old to adult (under 12 must be accompanied by adult)
FREE – Registration Required: (757)-399-7487, rdunbar@elizabethriver.org
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29th
Time: 8am-10am
More than 150 species of birds have been spotted at Paradise Creek Nature Park – neck and neck with the Great Dismal Swamp! Join local birder David Gibson on a tour of the park and birds visiting during the fall migration. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair of ours. All skill levels welcome.
This event is FREE but registration is required: (757)-392-7132, rdunbar@elizabethriver.org. Presented by the non-profit Elizabeth River Project. Donations welcome to keep river education and restoration growing: elizabethriver.org.
Mosquito Control Workshop
Have you ever wondered why mosquitoes love your backyard, but not your neighbors? Or why they are so bad after a storm? Want to know natural methods that can help prevent mosquitoes? Have we got a workshop for you! Come learn everything you've ever wanted to know about mosquitoes, from identification to prevention at this interactive workshop presented by Tim DuBois from the City of Portsmouth Public Works Administration.
FREE and open to the public
RSVP required: contact Kat at kfish@elizabethriver.org or 757-392-7132.
NEW
Introducing River Yoga
Age: 13 and up
Day: Saturdays
Time: Noon – 1 pm
Dates: Sept. 22, September 29
Find your balance when you practice hatha yoga in our nature park. Taught by Robin Dunbar, Deputy Director – Education, the Elizabeth River Project. Robin is a certified yoga fit instructor who also teaches at area YMCAs when she is not educating children to help restore the Elizabeth River. Gather at the Fred W. Beazley River Academy. Outside when weather permits. Playlist of river music. Please bring your own mat.
This event is FREE but registration is required: (757)-392-7132, rdunbar@elizabethriver.org. Presented by the non-profit Elizabeth River Project. Donations welcome to keep river education and restoration growing: elizabethriver.org.
NEW
Introducing Youth Art House
Age: 6 years and up
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 3 pm – 5 pm
Dates: Sept. 22, Sept. 26
Calling young people of the Elizabeth River community! Create art about your home river on Wednesday afternoons at the park. Gather at the River Academy (blue building). Art supplies provided. Guest artists plus Robin Dunbar, Deputy Director – Education, Elizabeth River Project (aka “Princess Elizabeth.”). Robin’s art accomplishments range from giant puppets to a commission to paint a mermaid for a foreign country.
This event is FREE and no registration is required. Questions: (757)-392-7132, rdunbar@elizabethriver.org. Presented by the non-profit Elizabeth River Project.
Volunteer Service Days
Help pull invasive species, plant native species (NEW – Edible Park species!), and maintain trails and recreation amenities. All ages; children under 12 must be accompanied by adults. Dress to get down and dirty! Closed-toe shoes and long-pants advised. Bring sunscreen, insect repellant and water bottle.
Dates: Saturday, Oct. 20; Saturday, Nov. 10; Saturday, Dec. 8
Time: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
FREE – Registration Required
Contact Ranger Kat Fish, kfish@elizabethriver.org or 757-392-7132
Guided Ranger Walks
Enjoy the fall foliage at Paradise Creek! Take a walk through the park with Urban Ranger Kat Fish to learn about our native plant and wildlife and identify some of your favorite wildflowers. All ages; children under 12 must be accompanied by adults.
Dates: Saturday, Oct. 27; Saturday, Nov. 10; Saturday, Dec. 8
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
FREE – Registration Required
Contact Ranger Kat Fish, kfish@elizabethriver.org or 757-392-7132
Princess at the Park
Join Princess Elizabeth, for whom the river was named in 1619! Hear her magical story of river adventures. Then help the Princess create a piece of artwork to raise money for Elizabeth River Project and its education programs. Boys and girls pre-k through 1st grade are welcome (adult must accompany).
Age: Pre-K thru 1st Grade (must be accompanied by an adult)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
FREE – Registration Required
Contact Ranger Kat Fish, kfish@elizabethriver.org or 757-392-7132
Winter Animal Adaptions
Ever wondered how animals survive the winter? Do all animals hibernate? Where do they find food? Discover what adaptations wildlife use to stay warm and protected, and learn how you can use those same adaptations this winter. Indoors at the River Academy.
Age: All ages; under 12 must be accompanied by adults.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 1
Time: 2 p.m.- 3 p.m.
FREE – Registration Required
Contact Ranger Kat Fish, kfish@elizabethriver.org or 757-392-7132
River Star Homes Workshops
Elizabeth River Project’s River Star Homes program is free to residents of the Elizabeth River area who commit to 7 simple steps (riverstarhomes.org). Join your fellow “stars” to learn the latest on how you can help the river at home. Follow Elizabeth River Project on Facebook for agenda updates.
Dates: Saturday, Nov. 17; Saturday, Dec. 1
Time: 10am-Noon
FREE – Registration Required
Contact Barbara Gavin, bgavin@elizabethriver.org
Elizabeth River 101
Join Elizabeth River Project’s Deputy Director of Restoration, Joe Rieger, for brown bag lunches on the history of the Elizabeth River (session 1), its current condition (session 2) and river restoration underway (session 3). Biologist Rieger has led river restoration for more than a decade.
Dates: Wednesdays, Nov. 7 and 28
Time: Noon-1pm (Brown Bag Lunches)
Suggested minimum donation $15 at elizabethriver.org.
Registration required, jrieger@elizabethriver.org
Youth Field Day
Free fun outdoor activities for all ages. Join Urban Ranger Kat Fish for games and nature activities. All ages welcome!
Date: Monday, Nov. 12 (Veteran’s Day)
Time: 1-3 pm
Free – No registration required.
The “After Turkey” Strut
Walk off some of that Thanksgiving dinner! Join Urban Ranger Kat Fish for a brisk walk around the park’s two miles of trails through forest and wetlands. Learn about our local fall flora and fauna along the way. All ages welcome. Wear walking shoes and bring your water bottle.
Ages: All ages welcome
Date: Saturday, Nov. 24
Time: 11-Noon; 2-3 pm
Free – no registration required.
Below is a list of events coming up at Paradise Creek Nature Park!
Programs and Activities | Volunteer Opportunities