Category: Conservation

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Community Conservation Events Partner Organizations

Webinar: Safe Mosquito Control Strategies

New Hope Bird Alliance is co-hosting with Toxic Free NC a webinar on Wednesday night regarding mosquito strategies.  Please attend if possible and share through your networks.  We are initiating an outreach and education campaign to help prevent mosquito fogging and also any spraying by Counties.

Please join us and help spread the word about this upcoming webinar on May 6 from 6-7 pm! 

Fight the Bite: Safe and Healthy Mosquito Strategies

We’ll be joined by Jacqueline Buenrostro of Xerces Society for a conversation about mosquitoes, disease risk, ecological impacts of insecticides, and preventative sustainable solutions for homes and neighborhoods to safely manage mosquitoes as the weather warms up. Participants will leave with information and resources they can share with neighbors. Spanish interpretation will be provided. 

Register here: tinyurl.com/DurhamMosquitoes

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Calendar Community Conservation Events

Save All We Can Training: Chinese Wisteria

Last fall, NC-IPC held four Save All We Can trainings, covering plant identification, tool techniques and tips for organizing events. This year, we will hold more specialized trainings. On May 3rd, Steven Feuerstein will do a training that focuses on techniques for dealing with the dreaded Chinese Wisteria, with an added focus on event management.

Chinese wisteria is a real tree killer. It’ll quickly wind its way up the trunks of trees, big and small, tightening as it grows, damaging the trunk. And it spreads out across branches and crowns, covering it with thick foliage and heavy flowers. Given enough time, it will snap 30 foot tall trees in half – and kill them.

REPLACE

And that’s not all. It sends out runners into the understory, accelerating the “takeover” of an entire forest. It grows in bush form (when there’s nothing nearby to climb), limiting mobility of animals through the woods.

REPLACE

Techniques for effectively dealing with Chinese wisteria (and other invasive vines like kudzu) differ from those used with trees and shrubs, like Chinese privet. In addition, the different forms of the plant offer a variety of opportunities for volunteers to help (for example, kids can pull up runners).

This training will cover how to deal with:

Vines growing up trees: you’ll learn how to not only save the trees in the short term, but also have the most enduring impact (because it’s gonna be growing back!).

Runners spreading into the woods: follow the leader and roll ‘em up. It’s fun, fast and has a big impact!

Bushes filling the understory: don’t try to fight your way through. Instead, follow Steven’s patented (😎) back-step technique.

In addition to tips on dealing with this species, we’ll also explore how to assess a wisteria horror-scape and plan out an event, making the best use of your volunteers.

We provide all the tools and gear used during the training. You come dressed for outdoor work (close-toed shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirt) and with a bottle of water. All attendees are enrolled in the Dauber Exchange (and go home with a dauber).

For more information and to register: https://rewildearth.net/ords/r/rewildearth/re/about-this-event-non-modal?p66_event_id=7834

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Community Conservation Events Partner Organizations

Tri-County Conservationists coming events

Pollinator Garden Renovation in Saxapahaw, Sun Apr 19, 9-11amJoin us as we rebuild a pollinator garden at the Hawbridge Upper School in Saxapahaw. Tasks include weeding, transplanting, and dividing native perennials, and then watering and mulching. The garden is a long, curving bed at the entrance to the school. We will have some gloves and tools but please bring your own shovel or trowel if you can.Registerhere.

Invasive Removal, Carolina North, Chapel Hill, Sat Apr 25, 9-12pm

Join NCWF Tri-County Conservationists Chapter and volunteers from the Chapel of the Cross for an invasive removal workday in Chapel Hill! For decades, large Chinese privet has been growing into trees along Bolin Creek at Carolina North Forest. These privet trees have been washing seeds downstream into neighboring natural areas, spreading aggressively throughout the watershed. Come help us put a stop to that by removing privet and breaking the branches down into habitat piles for countless birds and small mammals to use.

Register here.

Brumley South Preserve Bi-Montly Restoration Maintenance Events

Join us to check on and maintain the 500 native saplings planted in the 10 Brumley Oases! Tasks may include mending fences, watering plants, and removing small invasives from inside the oases. Come for an hour or stay for two if you like.Sun Apr 26, 2-4pm Register here.Fri May 8, 5-6pm Registerhere.

Sun May 24, 2-4pm Register here.

Birding Hike at Guilford County Farm Preserve, Sun May 3, 5-8pmCome join the two NCWF chapters, Triad Wild and Tri-County Conservationists,  on a guided birding hike at Guilford County Farm Preserve, which straddles the Guilford-Alamance County border.  

Register here.

Adams Tract invasive removal, Carrboro Sun May 17, 2-4pm

Five years ago volunteers cut invasives at Adams Tract and now it’s time to head back over and continue these important efforts! This event is a collaboration between the Town of Carrboro, ReWild NC, and Tri-County Conservationists chapter. 

We will meet at the information kiosk by the main parking lot. We’ll hand out all the PPE and tools you’ll need to give our non-human friends (native species of plants and animals) a needed bit of support.

Register here.

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Community Conservation Events

Join Oak Crest’s Habitat Restoration Tour

The Oak Crest community in Chapel Hill has been actively restoring habitat by removing invasive plant species and allowing the native seed bank to restore the site naturally. The native seed bank has responded so well that the New Hope Bird Alliance awarded the site a Bird-Friendly Habitat Certification. Ongoing management is essential for this site’s success. We invite you to join us for a site tour, an overview of the restoration process, and a hands-on training session covering several methods for treating invasive Wisteria. Treatment of invasive Privet and Tree of Heaven will also be discussed. We’ll have some tools (hand pruners, loppers, daubers) and gloves to share, but feel free to bring your own if you have them. There is no physical address to the site, the posted address is across the street. The project leader will be there early. Look for a white truck.

https://rewildearth.net/ords/r/rewildearth/re/about-this-event-non-modal?p66_event_id=8354&clear=66&session=31459161833509

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Community Conservation

Volunteer for Native Planting at Bolin Creek – April 14

Come join members of the Tricounty Conservationists chapter of the NC Wildlife Federation in restoring an area around Bolin Creek with the Town of Chapel Hill. The town has obtained 2100 native plants through a grant to help manage stormwater in this area after Chantal and we will be planting a portion of them! We can use all the help we can get! There will be some shovels and spades but please bring your own if you can.Restoration Planting, Bolin Creek, Chapel Hill, Tue Apr 14, 4-7pmRegister here.

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Calendar Community Conservation

Durham Wildlife Stewards Friends Events

In our second year, we have adopted Sandy Creek Park — a perfect home base because of its rich wildlife and healthy wildlife habitat. You can see some of it in the video, “The Wildlife of Sandy Creek Park.

Join us this April for a  “walk and talk” program with experts on three wild animals — details below.  All are welcome, including children. 

We’re also renovating the park’s pollinator garden, and could use your help.  

Last, we’re also looking for members, volunteers and donors. 

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm – Sandy Creek Park — 3510 Sandy Creek Drive, Durham – carpooling encouraged

Beaver Stroll in the Park with wildlife biologist Falyn Owens. Perfect for children after school. 

Falyn will tell the surprising and unique story of beavers in North Carolina, with a focus on their ingenious engineering! We’ll cover how beavers impact waterways, wildlife, and people through their industrious activities.    

Registration Required – Register here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/beavers_040826

Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 7:45 to 9:00 pm – Sandy Creek Park — 3510 Sandy Creek Drive, Durham – carpooling encouraged

Frog Night in the Park – with herpetologist Dr. Nicolette Cagle of Duke.  Children will love this one too.

We’ll don waders provided for the event, put on our headlamps, grab our nets, and go searching through the shallow night waters for all kinds of frogs. Dr. Cagle will help us identify what we catch and explain their sounds, habits and spring mating activity.

Register here:http://weblink.donorperfect.com/dwsfrogs_032626

Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM – Sandy Creek Park — 3510 Sandy Creek Drive, Durham – carpooling encouraged

Family Bird Walk in the Park – for all ages. Join David Anderson of the New Hope Bird Alliance for a quiet stroll along the park paths, where we might see wood ducks or mergansers, great blue herons, grackles, purple martins, robins, several kinds of woodpeckers, a belted kingfisher, and many other kinds of birds. Bring a bird ID guidebook or app, and binoculars if you have them.

Register here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/birdwalk_041926

Tuesday. April 7, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm— Moondog Meadery, 1104 Broad Street, Durham – in the basement under Joe Van Gogh. 

DWS Leadership meeting. Come check us out — meet some friendly, diverse, like-minded folks — & get involved.

RSVP to durhamwildlifestewards@gmail.com, or just show up. 

Today: sign up as a member and come to one of our programs! Click the JOIN tabon our website and tell us about yourself, Or email us at durhamwildlifestewards@gmail.com. 

Yesterday: Volunteer and / or join our leadership team. Get to know us. Come up with ideas. Help weed and plant our pollinator garden. Help remove harmful invasives from city parks and land preserves. Help create content for our website, newsletters, Facebook page, Instagram page, and possibly start a Bluesky or a BullCityReddit account. Do publicity. Recruit volunteers and donors. Plan fundraising events. Create online and physical posters, flyers, videos, and signs with us. Help with our database. Amass a subgroup of construction-savvy volunteers who can build and repair things with wood. Help us improve and grow. 

– Fill out our “JOIN” tab 

– email us at durhamwildlifestewards@gmail.com,  AND/OR 

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Community Conservation

Waterkeepers – April 29

Waterkeepers Carolina Event FlyerDownload
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Conservation

A Deep Dive into Tree-Related Microhabitats in Europe

Developed in Europe, and not a protocol used in US forest management, this guide on forest microhabitats introduces the reader to the complexity found in forest systems. Read on

Download PDF of the full guide.

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Calendar Citizen Science Community Conservation Events

Join the NC Moth Project’s Exciting Meet & Greet

Join us for a special Mothy Meet & Greet with the NC Moth Project on Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 PM, for an evening designed to introduce you to the magic and mystery of moths and to share how you can take part in our Monthly Mothing program happening March through November.

This one-hour presentation will offer an entertaining introduction to moths, why they matter, and why scientists and community members survey them. We’ll explore how moth surveys are conducted, what equipment is used, and how everyday nature lovers can contribute valuable data to science. You’ll also learn more about the NC Moth Project itself and how it connects people across the state through citizen science.

Monthly Mothing nights provide ongoing, hands-on experience that builds real field skills over time. With regular participation, you’ll learn valuable identification skills, document a variety of nocturnal insects, and experience the seasonal changes and rhythms of moths, all while beginning your lifelong journey of becoming a moth’er!

And if the weather is suitably “mothy” after the presentation, we’ll step outside to set up a light sheet and see which late-winter moths come in to visit. It’s a relaxed, welcoming way to learn, connect, and maybe meet your first moth of the season! 

Visit https://www.backyardbutterflies.org/mothy-meet-greet-rsvp/ to register for the Mothy Meet & Greet and to learn more about the Monthly Mothing program.

Event flyer for the Mothy Meet & Greet with the NC Moth Project, featuring details about the event, date, time, and activities focused on moth observation and photography.

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Community Conservation

How Construction is Helping Bats in North Carolina

PIGEON RIVER GORGE, N.C. – Construction crews in North Carolina are lending a helping hand to bats while constructing a key bridge on a major highway.

Members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have observed roosting on the old bridge crossing the Pigeon River on Interstate 40, which has been suitable for the creatures in the past, but also dangerous. See the story:

https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/first-of-its-kind-bat-bridge-constructed-house-species