Diving Deep on our Shoreline Restoration
March 26, 2025
Erosion may be a natural process, but it was harming our backyard.
The biggest threats to the shoreline in this area are erosion and runoff, says the team at Friends of the Rappahannock, one of our nonprofit partners. Preserving the shoreline benefits the water in many ways.
That’s why, in early 2021, we began a monumental effort to restore the natural shoreline. The goal: Revive the landscape, build a healthier ecosystem for native plants and animals and, yes, offer a prettier—and more functional—setting for our guests.
Today, all of that has been achieved—and more. More than 20,000 new plants have been, well, planted, and we developed 18,000 square feet of new natural shoreline. Native Virginia plants like black needlerush, cordgrass and bald cypresses, which are endangered, are flourishing and attracting birds and pollinators. “It’s what’s supposed to be here,” says Will Smiley, our resident ecologist who was heavily involved in the project. “By building this, we’re helping the environment, giving people access to nature, which has tons of health benefits, giving people jobs, and bringing in guests to our hotel.”
For Guests: A Walk to Remember
The two-year-long, $3.6 million restoration project expanded how much waterfront and outdoor space our guests have access to. A quarter-mile of it can be experienced via our Shoreline Trail. Guests can take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk, where signs outline what plant and animal species call the area home.
Or make it a more educational experience by joining one of our hands-on, eco-conscious experiences, like a guided Shoreline Tour; Chesapeake Gold, our deep dive (pun intended!) outing all about oysters; or a Bird Exploration walk with Matt Little, our resident horticulturist.
Smiley says improving everyone’s understanding of the native ecosystem is just as valuable as rehabilitating the creek itself. He hopes time spent at the Tides Inn inspires guests to spend more time outdoors—and to get involved in ecology efforts closer to home.
For Native Species: A New World
“Diversity builds diversity,” Smiley says. By building a strong foundation of native plants and oysters in Carter’s Creek, the Tides Inn has created a hospitable home for other aquatic creatures. “We’re finding things we didn’t plant—finding things we’ve never seen in this area,” he adds. Among them: river otters, who are generally shy and avoid busy waterways like Carter’s Creek.
Eastern oysters have also thrived. We’ve grown and planted nearly 1.5 million oysters since this project began. A keystone species of the Chesapeake Bay, the mollusks—and the reef we’ve created—set the foundation for a healthier waterway. They help filter the water, which supports the growth of underwater grasses.
Submerged aquatic vegetation, as those grasses are more formally known, are hugely beneficial because they help reduce erosion by trapping loose sediment, absorb excess nutrients, produce the dissolved oxygen other creatures need to survive and provide habitat for vulnerable animals like crabs.
For The Community: A Strong Foundation
We’re proud to say that this work has also inspired our neighbors: There are now seven other oyster reefs in Carter’s Creek. And the Chesapeake Bay Foundation often utilizes our location for its volunteer oyster gardening program.
“There’s a momentum that’s growing,” Smiley says.
That’s something worth celebrating on Earth Day and all year long.
Learn more: Watch this short documentary about the restoration project.