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Wetlands Restoration Project The Layfayette River wraps around the Hermitage on three sides, providing not only a beautiful backdrop to walk through the gardens, but a natural habitat for hundreds of plants and animals. Over the years as nearby development increased bulk-heading, the Lafayette changed its currents and washed away most of the original wetlands, submerging 2 acres. The Wetlands Restoration Project has been underway in an effort to add 5,265 square feet of native tidal wetlands, to restore 6,375 square feet of wetlands, and to restore 11,635 square feet of riparian buffer, which together will act as a natural filtration system, improving water quality in the Layfayette River, a major tributary of the Elizabeth River. The project has successfully been completed and the wetland areas are now open to the public. The Hermitage was recognized for its achievements in January of 2008, receiving “Model Level” status from the Elizabeth River Project’s River Stars Program. This level, the program’s highest, was awarded to the museum for its efforts in creating a new “living shoreline” comprised of an oyster reef, riparian buffer, and wetlands. The award also reflects the educational efforts of the museum involved in the restoration over the past year, including student plantings, community clean ups, and volunteer oyster bed enhancements. Additionally, efforts have been made to reduce the number of herbicides and pesticides used in the gardens by 50%. The Hermitage is still in need of support for the final stages of the project, which will include boardwalk trails through the newly created marshes.
The Hermitage Foundation Museum
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