Category: Events

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Calendar Conservation Events

Plan Your Trip to See Synchronous Fireflies in the Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is home to an amazing display of synchronous firefly flashing. It’s so popular the park limits access during that season. Parking confirmation is done by a lottery, and that process will begin soon. Check out their page if you want to get into the lottery and possibly plan a trip.

Closer to home is the Grandfather Glows event at Grandfather Mountain. The event occurs over three nights in late June / early July. They also sell parking passes via a lottery system. You can sign up for details on their site.

More about synchronous firefly displays

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Calendar Community Conservation Events

Durham City Council Vote: Stop Harmful Development

You have another chance to save Sandy Creek Park and its incredible variety of wildlife and birds from the effects of an oversized development on adjoining property! 

Last month, the Durham City Council delayed its decision on allowing a 4-5 story building, plus parking (together covering more than 80% of buildable land), to be built next to Sandy Creek Park. It asked the developer to address bird protection. The developer ignored NHBA’s recommendations on best practices for bird-safe building and lighting, and has promised only inadequate measures.

Next week, March 17, the Durham City Council will vote. Two council members missed the previous meeting. We hope they will agree with the Planning Commission’s decision not to support this development. Other council members may still be persuadable.
 

Act Now: Two Ways to Help

1) Contact City Council members before March 17 (email template and phone number below)

2) Join us at the March 17th meeting (City Hall, beginning 7:00 p.m.) to show support for the team of speakers planning to address the several reasons why this development is too large for such an environmentally-sensitive site. 

Suggested email message:

TO: citycouncilonly@durhamnc.gov

SUBJECT: Please Vote No Rezoning Petition Z2400001, Pickett Rd. Apartments

  • Thank you for listening to concerns about protecting Sandy Creek Park, a critical habitat in the City of Durham for birds and wildlife, and renowned nationally as a birding “Hot Spot.” More than 180 bird species have been identified by park visitors from all over the city, region, and beyond.
  • Please follow the Planning Commission’s recommendation not to allow such a large development next to sensitive wetlands and already-impaired Sandy Creek.
  • The developer’s proffer to “treat” windows is vague and ineffective. The developer’s plan also fails to prevent light trespass into critical breeding habitat for birds already threatened by habitat loss elsewhere.
  • We support building more affordable housing in Durham, but this is the wrong site and size. Many apartments, constructed or planned in the vicinity, are closer to public transportation and sidewalks and do not threaten a rare wetland habitat and the wildlife it supports.

    Or call: (919) 560-4396 to get in touch with the Durham City Council and voice your concerns. 
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Calendar Community Events

Pollinator and Wetland Gardens Installation on Earth Day

Samuel Green Sr. Community Garden is installing a pollinator and wetland gardens on Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22nd) 9:00am – 11:00am You can find out more and volunteer to come out and help at: https://www.mobilize.us/merrickmoorecommunitydevelopmentcorporation/event/763796/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa39itC9T_dRfpj_GttXiLGsBPu6kXpH6GmGWGCbvH_bMBwfBd9pz21zBE_aem_AhsBxHtfqDpSwLBAjS5fmg

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Calendar Community Events

Carrboro Earth Day

This year’s event will be managed by the Town as a joint Earth Day/Open Streets event on Sunday April 6 from 12-4 along Weaver St. It’s a building year, but it should be a lot of fun. Perhaps you would like to have a table, volunteer, or just attend and enjoy the celebration.

 

Volunteer Application | Carrboro, NC – Official Website

 

Table Form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/TownOfCarrboro3/_2025CarrboroEarthDayCelebrationAndOpenStreetsVendorForm

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Community Conservation Events Partner Organizations

NCWF Wildlife Habitat Steward Training Certification Program (Durham)

March 21, 2025 @ 10:00 am – March 23, 2025 @ 5:00 pm

Join NCWF and NCWF Durham Wildlife Stewards Chapter for three fun-filled days of renowned speakers, hands-on activities, and field trips at Duke Homestead in Durham! Come participate in NCWF’s Wildlife Habitat Steward Training program and become a certified wildlife habitat steward. This program will allow participants to increase their knowledge and ability to protect, conserve, and restore habitat for local wildlife. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with experts and fellow conservation enthusiasts about a variety of wildlife topics. Application is required. More information …

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Calendar Community Events Uncategorized

Understanding the Red Wolf: History and Conservation Efforts

The Red Wolf is the world’s most endangered canid, with fewer than 300 left in existence. The only wild population, with fewer than 19 wolves, exists in Eastern North Carolina. Their recovery has a complex history and management.

Join the Tri-County Conservationists Chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and Katerina Ramos, NCWF’s Red Wolf Education and Outreach Coordinator, for a talk on the species’ history, biology, management, and how you can help their recovery.

When: Thursday, March 13, 2025 – 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Where: Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27514

About the presenter

Katerina Ramos began her career as a high school volunteer in wildlife rehabilitation in Pennsylvania. She holds a B.S. in Zoology from Delaware Valley University and an M.S. in Integrative Biology from Oklahoma State University. She interned with the Red Wolf Recovery Program in 2018 and has served as NCWF’s Red Wolf Education and Outreach Coordinator since 2020. She also runs the Red Wolf Center in Columbia, NC, and sits on the SAFE Education Committee for Red Wolves.

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Calendar Community Conservation Events Partner Organizations

Celebrate Creek Week: March 15-22 Events

Celebrated annually during the third week of March, Creek Week is a time to discover and clean up our local waterways. Since 2009, we have collected an estimated 210,989 pounds of litter with 4,808 volunteers during Durham Creek Week!

This year, Creek Week will take place from March 15 to March 22. Creek Week is one of Durham’s largest litter cleanup initiatives of the year, as well as a week-long celebration of Durham’s creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes. Learn more about Creek Week here!

Want to organize a cleanup for Creek Week?Register here! We can help you choose a location if you don’t have one in mind yet.

View other educational and recreational events or join a cleanup here.

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Calendar Community Conservation Events Partner Organizations

Learn About Invasive Plants: A Community Discussion

Wisteria. Japanese Honeysuckle. Stiltgrass. Bradford Pears. English Ivy. Tree of Heaven. 

What do these and many more plants have in common? They aren’t native to the Piedmont and in most cases cause considerable damage to the local ecosystem. Join ecologist and 2025 Master Naturalist student, Sam Wright to discuss invasive plants, the harm they cause, and how to remove them.

When: Thursday, February 27, 2025 – 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Where: Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27514

More information at…

https://chapelhillpl.librarycalendar.com/event/rooting-out-trouble-what-are-invasive-plants-why-should-we-care-what-can-we-do-16433

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Community Events Partner Organizations

Haw River Clean Up – Feb 22

Saturday, February 22nd: Trash Trap Clean-Out, 10am-12pm

♻️ Help keep our waterways clean by volunteering at our litter traps! These devices catch trash in urban streams before it reaches major waterways, while protecting local wildlife. You can choose from multiple locations in the watershed! Registration required to ensure adequate equipment and staffing.

To volunteer: Sign up for our Trash Trap list-serv for updates (Be sure to pre-register monthly to confirm attendance.)

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Community Events

Help Shape the Future of the Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail

This visionary project aims to establish a 26-mile trail network linking downtown Durham to Roxboro, creating a unique and accessible outdoor experience that reflects the character and heritage of the corridor. Through robust public engagement, the project will explore opportunities to:

  • Link parks, schools, and neighborhoods
  • Honor the region’s history and culture
  • Enhance accessibility for people of all abilities

Stop by one of the drop-in workshops anytime to share your input, explore the trail map, and chat with the planning team. Families welcome—there’s even a kid’s table!

WHEN & WHERE:

  • February 19th, 6:30-8:00 PM at Club Boulevard Elementary School (400 W. Club Blvd.) This workshop will be held in Spanish and English. 
  • February 20th, 6:30-8:00 PM at Lakeview Secondary School (3507 Dearborn Dr.)

Learn more & take the survey: https://durham2roxborotrailplan.com/

Together, we can create a trail that transforms and connects.