Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve

05/24/2026

Join us for a rare evening on the water as we celebrate a Blue Moon at Hoffler Creek. It isn’t every day you get to kayak by the light of a second full moon; opportunities like this only come around once in a blue moon.

Experience the tranquil waters of Lake Ballard as they are illuminated by this lunar phenomenon. Whether you’re interested in learning about the wildlife that wakes up when the sun goes down or you simply want to enjoy a peaceful solo glide, this is your chance to see the Preserve in a whole new light.

📅 Saturday, May 30
🕖 8–10:30 PM
🎟️ $30 HCWF Members, $40 not-yet-members

Registration is required. Reserve a seat here: hofflercreek.org/product-page/full-moon-paddle-may-30

05/23/2026

Happy ! 🐢

Late May through July is nesting season in Virginia, which means turtles are highly active—and highly vulnerable. Female turtles are currently crossing dangerous roads to find nesting sites.

Life is already tough for turtles; a female must reproduce her entire adult life just to ensure at least one hatchling reaches adulthood. Their populations can’t afford human-caused losses.

Here is how you can be a respectful neighbor and protect them, wherever you are:

🚗 Be a crossing guard: If it’s safe, help turtles cross the road! Always move them in the direction they were already traveling. It is only best to move turtles in situations such as these where they are in direct danger.

🏡 Leave them local: Turtles are territorial. If you need to move a healthy turtle, never relocate it far from where you found it. They can get hurt trying to return home or accidentally spread disease to new populations.

🚜 Practice turtle-safe mowing: Mowing fatalities are common in terrestrial turtle species. Turtles are most active in the morning, evening, and during or after rain. Mow in the middle of a dry day, and work from the middle of your yard outward to „push“ turtles safely toward the edge shrubbery and flowerbeds. Set your mower blades to at least 6 inches high.

🪓 Clean up gear: Discarded fishing line, tackle, and abandoned crab pots are leading causes of death for aquatic turtles. Pack out what you pack in, and leave outdoor spaces cleaner than you found them!

🥚 Protect backyard nests: If a turtle lays eggs in your yard, you can place a dome of chicken wire over the nest and bury the edges a few inches deep to keep predators out. Leave a small opening at the base to let hatchlings pass through.

🩹 Call the pros: If you find an injured turtle or an exposed nest, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.

Let’s all do our part to keep our shelled friends safe!

Pictured: Eastern Box Turtle, Yellow-Bellied Slider

05/10/2026

Watch the day fade and the magic begin on a sunset kayak tour of Hoffler Creek! 🌅

Paddle through the peaceful waters, immersing yourself in this unique marshland habitat. Then, as the sun dips below the horizon, witness the beauty of the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel, bathed in the warm glow of sunset over the James River. It’s the perfect way to unwind, connect with nature, and end your day with an unforgettable experience.

📅 Friday, May 15
🕖 6:45–9:45 PM
🎟️ $30 HCWF Members, $40 not-yet-members

Registration is required. Reserve a seat here: hofflercreek.org/product-page/sunset-paddle-may-15

05/03/2026

05/03/2026

Join us for a belated Arbor Day celebration with a tree tour led by certified arborist, horticulturist, and Tidewater Master Nauralist Allen Carter. Explore our trails, learning seasonal tips and tricks for identifying trees found along the way.​ 🌸🌳

The walk will begin with checking in at the Visitor’s Center at 10:00 am, followed by embarking on the trails and soaking in the knowledge of our expert guide.

📅 Sunday, May 10
🕙 10-11:30 AM
🎟️ $15 Not-yet-members; $10 HCWF Members

Registration is required. Register here: hofflercreek.org/product-page/arbor-day-walk-may-10

05/02/2026

Join our monthly Early Bird Walk for an exclusive look at Hoffler Creek before it opens to the public. This month’s walk is extra special as it coincides with World Migratory Bird Day. We are thrilled to invite you to be part of Global Big Day, a massive 24-hour effort where birders across the globe join forces to document as many species as possible.

Guided by local expert Dave Brown of the Cape Henry Audubon Society, you’ll explore Lake Ballard and beyond, with plenty of opportunities to see and hear a diversity of local and migratory species. The data we collect during this walk will be submitted to eBird, contributing directly to a global database that helps scientists track migration patterns and better understand bird populations worldwide.

This event is open to everyone, so whether you’re new to birding or a seasoned pro, you won’t want to miss this chance to become a citizen scientist for the morning. Don’t forget your binoculars!

📅 Saturday, May 9
🕗 8–10 AM (Gates open from 7:45–8 AM)
🎟️ Free, but donations are appreciated

Resister here: hofflercreek.org/service-page/early-bird-walk

05/01/2026

Kayak season is here! Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Hoffler Creek this summer.

Kayak rentals are available Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 am until 2:30 pm. For more information on rentals, you can visit our website at hofflercreek.org/kayak.

05/01/2026

We are thrilled to announce the successful ribbon-cutting of our recently renovated oyster pier! With newly installed winches and oyster floats, raising 8,000 oyster spat from Hoffler Creek is now a breeze for the students monitoring their growth. These upgrades, funded, designed, and installed by Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC), allow us to expand our oyster restoration program to students throughout the City of Portsmouth.

The ceremony, which took place on Friday, April 17, coincided with Christopher Academy’s monthly restoration date. Representatives from ERC watched twenty-five fourth graders put the new winches to work. Under the guidance of their teacher, Mrs. Jessica Taraborrelli, the students spent the afternoon sorting and measuring the spat to track their health and growth.

We extend our gratitude to Elizabeth River Crossings for their generous sponsorship, and Jason Marciniak of ERC for his incredible technical expertise in designing, fabricating, and installing the new winches. We also want to recognize the Christopher Academy students for their hard work and our volunteers—Roxanne Richardson, Michael Reiss, and Doug Mueller—for keeping the students focused while sorting through thousands of oysters. Finally, a special thanks to Jim Wetherbee for capturing the day as our event photographer. Together, we are ensuring a cleaner future for Hoffler Creek!

04/23/2026

We are so grateful for the support of Elizabeth River Crossings!

Our partnership with Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve came to life last week as we cut the ribbon on the new oyster restoration pier, featuring a dual winch and pulley system that was designed, purchased, and installed by our team. The equipment gives visiting students easy access to floating nurseries to track oyster growth. This project at the commonwealth’s only urban wildlife preserve aligns with our sustainability and education pillars while supporting the refuge’s goal of raising 8,000 oysters in 2026.

We also want to thank our community amazing partners who showed up to celebrate with us: Portsmouth Partnership, Portsmouth Schools Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia, Elizabeth River Project, and more!

04/18/2026

Join us for the first paddle of 2026! 🎉🌊

There is no better way to launch our kayaking season than on the tranquil waters of Lake Ballard, illuminated by the glow of the full moon. Learn about the wildlife that wakes up when the sun goes down, or enjoy a peaceful solo paddle. This is your chance to see the Preserve in a whole new light. 🌕

📅 Friday, May 1
🕗 8–10:30 pm
🎟️ $30 HCWF Member; $40 not-yet-members

Learn more and purchase tickets here: hofflercreek.org/product-page/full-moon-paddle-may-1