ODU ARTISTS PART OF HOFFLER CREEK EVENT SEPT. 25

The effects of stormwater on Hampton Roads will be highlighted in an open house, titled "Watering the Watershed," from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve, 4510 Twin Pines Road in the Churchland section of Portsmouth.

Also featured during the daylong event will be original art by art faculty members Rosa Doughty and David Johnson and undergraduate student Rob Wetherington. Their exhibition, "The Hoffler Creek Project," was created from trash retrieved from the creek during Clean the Bay Day in June.

It includes retablos, photographs and ceramics designed to raise public awareness of how carelessly discarded trash pollutes the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, harming wildlife and the quality of life of all who share the watershed. Some of the art will be available for sale during a silent auction benefiting the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation.

The open house also features demonstrations of new technology to control flooding and reduce stormwater pollution of local creeks and rivers, solutions to builders and homeowners dedicated to protecting the environment. Highlighted will be a pervious paving system used in the parking lot and rain barrels available for cleaning and planting projects at the preserve.

The open house is being funded by the Virginia Environmental Endowment. Also participating are cooperating organizations, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Elizabeth River Project, the City of Portsmouth and HR Storm.

Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. For more information, call 686-8684 or e-mail hofflercreek@hofflercreek.org.