Coming soon from the Urban Butterfly Initiative
Category: Conservation
How does it work?
Our neighborhoods have large Compost Now bins where neighbors can drop off their food waste 24/7 at a location that’s blocks from their house. Compost Now picks up the bins once a week and exchanges them for clean ones. The grant funding that we have pays for the Compost Now service and also pays for counter top bins that people can use to collect their food waste before bringing it to the larger bins.
Since 2022, the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) populations have been confirmed in seven NC counties: Forsyth, Guilford, Rockingham, Caldwell, Caswell, Davidson, and Rowan, with breeding populations found along I-85.
Last week, a commercial vineyard in Davidson County became the first in North Carolina confirmed to host a reproducing population of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula).
This pest has devastating potential for NC agri and horticulture. Please be vigilant! More information:
https://grapes.ces.ncsu.edu/news/first-vineyard-detection-of-slf-in-north-carolina
Saturday, September 12
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Haw River Trailhead in Saxapahaw Village
Slow down. Look closer. Make connections. Nature journaling is a powerful practice that can help you sharpen observational skills and engage more deeply with our ecosystem.
This workshop will begin with a short lecture on the concept of nature journaling, including tips to jump-start your practice. It will also provide an overview of the Haw River watershed, including habitats, flora, and fauna. Participants will then take a short hike along the river to reinforce this information and search for drawing inspiration. Lastly, the group will spend time journaling on a common theme.
Participants will receive a resource guide that covers the ideas discussed, as well as Haw-specific journaling prompts and sample drawings. There is no artistic skill required. (We promise.) Children who can engage in the activities listed above are welcome to attend. Please bring water, a notebook (preferably unlined), and a pencil. Optional: pens, colored pencils, watercolors.
July 23, 1-2:00pm Zoom
Learn about stem nesting bees and how your garden can support them
Categories
Garden Opening – June 20
Join the Town of Apex for its annual pollinator celebration, An Afternoon in the Garden, on June 27 from 3–5 p.m. at Apex Nature Park (2500 Evans Road). As a Bee City USA community and Monarch Pledge participant since 2020, Apex is committed to supporting native pollinators and educating the community about their importance.
This event is a fun opportunity to connect with residents, share information about local environmental efforts, and celebrate pollinator conservation together. We would love to extend the opportunity to the Master Naturalist group! Whether you’d like to share the work you’re doing for your independent project, or represent an organization you work or volunteer for, we’d be happy to include you. If there are several people interested but they don’t want to run a table themselves, we could even put together a “Master Naturalist” table to share more information about this wonderful program and the work everyone is doing throughout the community!
The afternoon will feature local vendors, educational organizations, and interactive activities focused on native pollinators and environmental stewardship. Guests will also be able to participate in a community art project by helping paint a new garden shed and visit Town booths hosted by the Environmental Advisory Board and the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department.
The event runs from 3-5pm and we ask that booths are fully set up by 2:30pm, as community members often arrive early. We can provide one table and 2 chairs, but you will need to bring your own pop up tents, tent weights, and any tabling materials and activities that you would like at your table. We expect around 150 guests.
Please let me know if this is something that your group would be interested in participating in, or if you have any questions that I can answer about the event. We would love to have you join us!
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Contact Nora Skinner, Environmental Programs Coordinator for the Town of Apex, if your organization would like to have a table at this event. Email: nora.skinner@apexnc.org
Carrboro stands at the forefront of environmental protection and climate action. We are seeking passionate experts to help shape our future.
The Climate and Environmental Advisory Commission (CEAC) plays a vital role, advising the Town Council on critical policies, ordinances, and procedures related to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and resilience. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people as you put your ideas into action.
We Need Your Expertise!
If you are a resident of Carrboro and a subject matter expert in areas such as:
- Green Building & Energy Conservation
- Green Infrastructure & Environmental Planning
- Solar Technology
- Water Resources & Conservation
- Urban Forests & Biodiversity
- Heat Resilience
- Waste Reduction
- Or other specialized environmental fields
… and are motivated to advise Town Council on how the Town achieves its ambitious environmental and sustainability goals, we urge you to apply to serve on the CEAC.
Apply to serve today!
Not sure if you are a Carrboro resident? Check to see if your residence is in Carrboro’s jurisdiction
Questions? Contact Amy Armbruster, Carrboro’s Chief Sustainability Officer, at aarmbruster@carrboronc.gov or 919-918-7345.
NC Wildlife Resources Commission Community Science Program is looking for volunteers interested in helping with NABat (a bat acoustic monitoring survey) around Roxboro, NC. You will be acoustically recording their echolocation calls, which allows us to determine what species are in the area. Bats are extremely important parts of ecosystems and provide essential functions such as pollination and agricultural pest control. Volunteers will help collect valuable data that get input into a continent-wide database used by scientists all over the country to conduct research. The survey consists of attaching a microphone to the top of the volunteer’s vehicle and running it to a tablet in the car to record acoustic signals from bats. The route spans about 20 miles. All equipment and training are provided. The route window takes place July 1-11th and the volunteer should survey two nights within that window.
You should join us if you’re interested in:
• Aiding in the collection of scientific data
• Looking for volunteer credit hours
• Seeing what bat species live in your area!
• Learning how to use an acoustic recording device
• Joining a community of volunteers spanning across the state
Here is a link to our NABat homepage: https://nc-wild.org/nabat/
And here is a link to the Orientation materials on that website: https://nc-wild.org/nabat/training/
Backyard Butterflies, a Hillsborough-based nonprofit dedicated to Lepidoptera education and community outreach, announces the return of the Hillsborough Moth Crawl on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM. The rain date is Sunday, June 7 at the same time and locations. Part citizen science, part community celebration, the Hillsborough Moth Crawl invites participants of all ages and experience levels to spend an evening visiting multiple mothing locations across Hillsborough, observing and documenting the remarkable diversity of moths and other nocturnal insects drawn to special lighting. Whether you are a curious newcomer or a seasoned moth’er, young or old, join us for an evening of spectacular, unparallelled mothing resulting in the epic achievement of Mothing Your Way Across Hillsborough!
Three Locations, One Unforgettable Night This year’s event spans three beautiful natural areas in and around Hillsborough:
- Blackwood Farm Park (4215 NC-86, Chapel Hill) — a 152-acre historic farm property managed by Orange County Parks and Recreation
- Brumley Forest Nature Preserve (3055 New Hope Church Rd, Chapel Hill) — a conservation preserve managed by Triangle Land Conservancy
- Confluence Natural Area (4214 Highland Farm Rd, Hillsborough) — a low-impact natural preserve protected by the Eno River Association Experienced volunteers will be on hand at each location to help identify moths and other nocturnal visitors throughout the evening.
What’s New for 2026 The Moth Crawl has expanded this year with a new location and several exciting additions. CLAWS, a local wildlife rehabilitation organization, will join the event at Blackwood Farm Park with a live presentation called Frenemies, A Love Story — featuring owls, hawks, and falcons, and exploring how these predators share a role in the ecosystem alongside the moths they hunt. Participants will also have the chance to meet everybody’s favorite corvids, Grip and Lark, and hold one or both birds on their arm. The North Carolina Entomological Society will host hands-on, family-friendly insect activities at Confluence Natural Area. A free, exclusive Leaf Miner Workshop led by local expert Tracy Feldman will also be offered on Friday, June 5 at Durant Nature Preserve as both a community learning opportunity and a resource for Moth Crawl participants.
Friendly Competitions and Citizen Science The Moth Crawl features two optional competitions for those who want to take their evening to the next level. The iNaturalist Contest encourages playful participation in citizen science through observation and species documentation. The Grand Moth’er Challenge is a timed individual competition testing field observation skill across multiple biodiversity-based challenges, with premium moth equipment and the official title of The Grand Moth’er on the line. All contestants submit observations through iNaturalist, contributing real data to ongoing citizen science efforts.
Inclusive, Festive, and Family-Friendly The Moth Crawl is designed to welcome everyone — curious newcomers, seasoned naturalists, families, and children alike. Costumes are enthusiastically encouraged. Moth wings, antennae, sequins, and full cryptid fantasy are all equally at home alongside hiking boots and headlamps. There is no experience required and no judgment offered — only an open invitation to step into the dark and see what arrives! Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight or headlamp, wear closed-toe shoes and long pants, and apply insect repellent. Sunscreen is also recommended, as UV lights will be in use.
Stamp Cards and Swag All registered participants receive event swag at check-in. Stamp cards collected across locations enter participants into a drawing for a limited edition 2026 Hillsborough Moth Crawl T-shirt featuring the year’s Spokes-moth, the stunning Io Moth (Automeris io), illustrated by artist Jade Shepard of the Perpetual Pen.
Sponsorship Opportunities The Moth Crawl has launched a formal sponsorship program for individuals, businesses, and organizations who want to help sustain the event. Sponsorships start at $50 and include exclusive swag and perks.
RegistrationTo learn more about The Hillsborough Moth Crawl and register for the event, visit the event webpages at https://www.backyardbutterflies.org/moth-crawl or directly from the ticketing website
https://events.humanitix.com/the-hillsborough-moth-crawl-2026.