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.
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.
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.
Registration is now live! The Southeastern Indigenous Coalition Environmental Conference 2025 will take place March 7-8 in Occaneechi Saponi territory, North Carolina.
There is also a virtual attendance option.
Registration is required to participate.
Event details: DAY 1: FRI MARCH 7th from11am-5pm **LOCATION TBA**
DAY 2: SAT MARCH 8th from 8am-3pm at The Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, NC RegisterJoin us for this historic 2-day event as we:
Convene Knowledge Holders: Bring together and learn from Indigenous leaders on the frontlines of environmental justice fights and resilience-building projects to share their insights and transformative visions.
Center Indigenous Perspectives: Highlight the unique challenges and solutions Indigenous communities apply to addressing environmental issues.
Strengthen Collaboration: Deepen connections and foster partnerships among tribes, policymakers, activists, scientists and community members to support trust and the development of strategies for survival and environmental stewardship.
Promote Resilience: Share traditional and innovative Indigenous-led practices that enhance community resilience in the face of collapsing systems.
Themes include: Youth Leadership in Environmental Justice, Cultural Landscapes and Sacred Sites Protection, Climate Change and Indigenous Resilience, Food Sovereignty and Sustainable Agriculture, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Land and Resource Sovereignty.
We’re calling on Indigenous community members, environmental activists, policymakers, scientists, and allies to come learn, connect and help foster Indigenous-led environmental justice and community resilience in the Southeastern region.*A limited number of reduced rate tickets are set aside for folks who are not able to afford the cost of entry.
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:
Connect parks, schools, and neighborhoods to the trail
Highlight historical, cultural, and environmental assets
Enhance accessibility for all ages and abilities
Drop-In Workshops – Share Your Vision at Your Convenience:
To ensure everyone has a chance to participate, we’re offering two drop-in workshops where attendees can provide their input at their convenience. These informal workshops will be fun and interactive, with stations where you can speak with the planning team, learn more about the project, and provide your input directly on a detailed trail map. Families are welcome – there will be a kid’s table for the little ones to enjoy, making it easy for everyone to join in and share their ideas.
Workshop Dates and Locations:
Tuesday, February 4, 5 – 7 p.m., Durham County Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St.)
Wednesday, February 5, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Durham North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd.)
“The Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail represents an incredible opportunity to bring people together, promote healthy outdoor activity, enhance our city’s vibrancy, connect to our unique history, provide an integral bicycle and pedestrian corridor for our city’s active transportation network, and inspire pride in the unique character of Durham,” said Durham City Councilmember Carl Rist.
Durham County Commissioner Michelle Burton added, “The Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail Plan is about more than just a trail – it’s about bringing our community together, honoring Durham’s history, and building a lasting legacy for future generations.”
Share Your Input – Take the Survey:
Whether you attend one of our workshops or engage from home, we encourage everyone to complete our online survey to provide additional feedback on the Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail Plan. Your input will help us shape a trail that reflects the needs and vision of our community.
Workshop attendees will also have the opportunity to complete the survey on-site, so you can share your thoughts while exploring the project’s details. Don’t miss this chance to help shape a transformative project for Durham and beyond.
The feasibility study will include an assessment of the corridor’s unique assets, a trail concept plan driven by public engagement, and a comprehensive implementation strategy, ensuring the project aligns with the community’s needs and values.
For more information visit the project website, call David Miller with the Durham-Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) at 919-503-4118, or email David.miller@dchcmpo.org.
Durham is in the midst of a sediment pollution crisis. Dirty runoff from active construction sites across the city’s most developed corners are turning Durham’s creeks orange with mud, harming aquatic habitat, and polluting the Falls Lake drinking water supply downstream. Thankfully, you can help us stop the pollution by getting involved in Sound Rivers Muddy Water Watch program! Please consider joining Sound Rivers’ Riverkeeper team for a Muddy Water Watch training on December 10th from 6-7:30pm at Durham’s People’s Solidarity Hub (1805 Chapel Hill Road).
Sound Rivers’ Muddy Water Watch training will offer community members information on the construction-sediment crisis in Durham and resources on how to get involved in monitoring the problem. Sound Rivers Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop, Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Katey Zimmerman and Water Quality Specialist Taylor Register will join interested community members to share facts and stories about their work monitoring sediment pollution and advocating for changes to citywide construction policy. Participants will walk away with an understanding of how to spot sediment violations on construction sites, what to do if violations are observed, and how to play a role in a growing movement to address Durham’s construction sediment crisis.
Brake for Wildlife! Transportation Planning for Better Solutions
October 17, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Chatham County Library – Holmes Meeting Room
197 NC Hwy 87 N
Pittsboro, NC
Wildlife needs to move across the landscape to find habitats for breeding, foraging, and raising young. Roads are barriers to wildlife movement. Come to the October CCP meeting to learn what state organizations are doing to facilitate safe passage of wildlife under roads in Chatham County. We will also hear about recent planning efforts to identify high priority wildlife crossing needs in the county.
AGENDA:
Welcome & Introductions
Partnering for Habitat Connectivity in the Triangle Brooke Massa, Conservation Biologist, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Guidelines for Wildlife Passage in NC Travis Wilson, Eastern DOT Habitat Conservation Coordinator, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Improving Roadway Safety and Wildlife Connectivity through the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization Wildlife Crossings Plan (includes portions of Chatham County) David Miller, Transportation Planner, Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization
Please note that this is an IN-PERSON meeting and so will not be recorded like the webinars we have been doing the past few years. If this topic interests you, please attend in person!
Coming November 10th and 11th at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC. Applications are open for workshop proposals, exhibitors, and high school summiteers. More information: https://www.lifeandscience.org/learn/nc-youth-climate-summit/
On June 27th, New Hope Audubon will host a zoom session on threats and solutions for preserving and improving bird habitat. For more information and register visit: https://gaonc.org/event-5757676
