| Long before the industrial boom that built the city we know today, the Jones Falls likely supported quite a few families of river otters, a semi-aquatic species, in the tributaries and main stem of the Jones Falls watershed. A recent sighting of an individual swimming near Meadow Mill in Woodberry, beneath the roar of I-83, is a sign they’re capable of a comeback to our beloved urban streams. River otters are an ecological indicator species, meaning their presence signals conditions are healthy enough to support them. While the presence of this individual is an indication of restoration progress to date, there is still work to be done. If we want these otters to become more than occasional residents, continued investment in the health of the Jones Falls is necessary. Riparian buffers, stormwater management, and ensuring there are connected water and land corridors, are all actions that will support the return of river otters. Fortunately, improving habitat for river otters comes with a suite of human community benefits too. Restoring native vegetation and floodplain function helps the Jones Falls absorb rainfall and reduce flooding while also supporting the habitat and prey these otters depend on. A Jones Falls that’s healthier for river otters is likely to be a more publicly accessible, enjoyable Jones Falls for us as well. -Shannon Boyle, Fisheries Biologist/Environmental Scientist (splboyle@gmail.com) |
environmental conservation and sustainability
Friends of The Jones Falls 