Durham Creek Week events are listed below by 3 categories: Education (Discover your watershed), Recreation (Explore Hidden Gems), and Volunteer Opportunities (Do your part for clean water). Below the text listing, please see our Google calendar of events.

Discover your watershed

 Your Creek, Our Water

Join local river experts for "Your Creek, Our Water: A hands-on learning model" from 2:00-4:30 pm at the Museum of Life and Science on March 24. Stop by to get your hands wet as you learn about the pollution that travels from our yards, streets, and parking lots to local streams like Ellerbe Creek. Museum admission is waived for Durham County residents on Wednesdays from 1:00-5:00 pm (donations appreciated).

 

Creek Week Speakers Bureau

Schedule a presentation for your school, church, or civic group. Topics include water conservation, preventing water pollution, our drinking water, NC river basins, water quality monitoring, and “greener” landscaping. Contact Al Nelson 560-4381 or albert.nelson@durhamnc.gov to schedule.

 

Explore Hidden Gems

Canoe and Kayak Demo Day at Lake Michie, March 20, 11 am

Find out the difference between a canoe and a kayak; a sea kayak and a touring boat. Try out boats, learn navigating techniques. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Lake Michie. To register, contact Kim Oberle 560-4355 or kimberly.oberle@durhamnc.gov. $10 fee.

 

Night Paddle on the lower Eno River in the Three Rivers Area, March 20, 7 pm

Welcome in the Spring with a Night Paddle through the twists and turns of the Three Rivers Area. Settle in and relax while we keep our ears open for signs of night time life in the wildlife rich area. The slap of a beaver tail on the water, splashing of fish, croak of a Great Blue, and choruses of frogs are all possible sounds we'll experience on this magical trip. All paddle equipment is provided. A portion of profits will go to Eno River Association. Register online at the following link: http://www.froghollowoutdoors.com/index_files/Page2658.html or contact Frog Hollow Outdoors by phone, 919-949-4315. $30/person in solo kayak, $25/person in canoe.

 

Wildflower Walk at Willie Duke’s Bluff, March 21, 2 pm

Enjoy a guided hike along the Eno River to view a large variety of blooming flowers, including dutchman's breeches and trout lily. Difficulty level: Long, off trail, some bushwhacking, one steep climb. Meet at the Penny's Bend parking lot. To register, contact Kathy Lee 620-9099 x204 or kathy@enoriver.org. The Eno River Association leads wildflower walks every Sunday during the spring. See details at www.enoriver.org.

 

Nature Walk at Ellerbe Creek Beaver Marsh, March 21, 6 pm

Look for birds and beavers as you explore this urban ecological treasure. An Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association guide will lead you through the organization's newest conservation property. Free, registration required. Contact leslie@ellerbecreek.org or call the ECWA office at 698-8161.

 

Caring for Urban Creek Woodlands, March 24, 5:30 pm

Take an afternoon stroll through the Pearl Mill Preserve in the Trinity Park neighborhood. Discover native plants and wildlife in this hidden urban treasure. Learn why invasive species removal is critical for ecosystem health. Contact Joanne Abel (jabel@nc.rr.com) or call the ECWA office at 698-8161.

 

Nature Walk at Audobon Park, March 25, 5:00 pm

Hike this Northeast Creek trail to see blooming trout lilies and spring beauties. Listen and look for singing frogs, multiple bird species, beaver, and deer. Meet at the Audobon Park pool, at the corner of Solitude Way and Whisperwood Drive. Hike leader is Michael Pollock, (michael_pollock@yahoo.com).

 

Story and Craft time at Parkwood Library, Revere Road, South Durham, March 25, 6:00 pm

In honor of Creek Week, the Northeast Creek Streamwatch Organization is sponsoring an hour long children's workshop, focusing on protection of our environment, particularly our waterways. [Northeast Creek is the creek that flows behind Parkwood Library and through South Durham.] Two such stories will be read to the kids by local children's author, Melissa Rooney. After the readings, Melissa will oversee a craft with the kids -- clip-on butterflies and ladybugs. No preregistration required, but your RSVP to Melissa at mmr121570@yahoo.com or 919.599.0952 would help to ensure the appropriate amount of craft materials and volunteers.

 

17 Acre Woods Stream Enhancement Walk, March 26, 5:30 pm

Learn about efforts to stabilize stream banks, naturalize stream flow, and restore native species along the creek and greenway trail. Free, registration required. Contact leslie@ellerbecreek.org or call the ECWA office at 698-8161.

 

Intro to Kayak Class on the Beaver Dam section of Falls Lake, March 27, 10 am

Learn about the joys of kayaking with Frog Hollow's professional instructors.  In this 4-5 hour class you will learn about various types of kayaking along with fundamental kayak skills including: identifying hazards, basic strokes, concepts in craft handling, wet exits, and rescues in calm water.  All equipment is provided.  A portion of the profits will go to Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association.  Register online at the following link: http://www.froghollowoutdoors.com/index_files/Page604.html or contact Frog Hollow Outdoors by phone, 919-949-4315. $69/person.

 

Make Creek Art at the Scrap Exchange, Saturday,March 27, 10-11:30AM

Come to the Scrap Exchange, (458 Foster Street near the Durham Farmers' Market) for a workshop making art with the items found in the various Creek Week stream clean-ups. Who knows what will be found! Work with the Scrap Exchange artists and express yourself. This workshop is for those ages 12 and up. Please bring work gloves if you have them. To register, contact Joanne Abel at jabel@nc.rr.com. $5.00 fee 

 

Flatwater Kayak on Jordan Lake, March 27, 5:30 pm

A sunset, moonlight paddle in the eagle management area of Jordan Lake. Look for eagles and water birds, enjoy the sunset, then watch the moonrise on an island making smores by a campfire. Paddle back under the moonlight with headlamps. To register, contact Susanne Gomolski of Kayak Adventures 929-3805 or sgomo4@hotmail.com. $40 fee; $25 if you bring your own kayak.

 

Flutter and Flow Birding Hike on the Eno, March 27, 2:30 pm

Guided hike along the Eno to look for birds and talk about birds that rely on creeks, streams, and lakes. Wear good hiking shoes. Binoculars and a bird ID book are optional. Eno River State Park Cole Mill Access. To register for this free hike, contact the park office at 919-383-1686.

 

Spring Beauties Wildflower Walk, March 27, 10:00 am

We’ll stroll through the West Point on the Eno Park searching for a variety of spring wildflowers while learning about their identifying characteristics and importance in the natural world. Walk leader is Chris Shepard (Christopher.shepard@durhamnc.gov).

 

Volunteer: Do Your Part for Clean Water

Stream clean-ups, March 20

For info on any of the clean-ups, contact Laura Webb Smith at 919-560-4326, ext. 30235 or laura.smith@durhamnc.gov.

  • Burden’s Creek at Alston Avenue (near RTP): Sign up with Michael Pollock (michael_pollock@yahoo.com). 9:00-noon.
  • Canoe clean-up on Ellerbe Creek: Sign up with Banks Dixon (froghollowoutdoors@verizon.net or 949-4315). 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
  • Ellerbe Creek Beaver Marsh: Sign up with Joanne Abel (jabel@nc.rr.com). 9:00 - noon.
  • Forest View Elementary. Sign up with (Linda.Tugurian@dpsnc.net). 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
  • Goose Creek at Ecclesia House of Prayer Holy Church, 601 N. Alston Ave. Sign up with Pastor Ronald Gilchrist,(mrtipp2005@yahoo.com). 9:00 – noon.
  • Northeast Creek/Jordan Lake: Sign up with Germane James (germane@hra.org or 542-5790). 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.
  • Rocky Creek at Elmira Park: Sign up with Germane James (germane@hra.org or 542-5790).
  • Sandy/New Hope Creek at Sandy Creek Park: Sign up John Kent (jkent@tmug.org). 9:00 - noon.
  • Third Fork Creek at Forest Hills Park: Sign up with Cotton Norris (cottonn@me.com). 8:30 - 11:00 am.

Stream clean-ups, March 27

  • Eno River Association’s Coulter Conservation Area: Sign up with Kurt Schlimme  kurt@enoriver.org or 620-9099 x206. 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
  • Eno River at Penny's Bend: Sign up with Michele Barnhart (MicheleBarnhart@aw-nc.com or 479-6527) 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

 A huge thank you goes to DPR’s Environmental Education section, DPR intersession campers, Northern High School’s Outdoor Education Club, School House of Wonder, and Frog Hollow Outdoors for completing additional clean-ups during the week. Thanks also to Riverside High school students for creating trash art sculptures to be displayed at Durham’s Earth Day Festival.

Adopt-a-Stream Workshop, March 27, 9 am

Learn to give a stream near you a health check-up. Practice using test kits to measure water quality. Take home a kit when you sign up to adopt a stream in Durham. 9:00-noon at Forest Hills Park. Register with Laura Webb Smith laura.smith@durhamnc.gov or 560-4326 x30235.

 

Aquatic Insect Workshop, March 27, 1 pm

Learn to use benthic macroinvertebrates to measure the health of a stream. Practice collecting and identifying stream critters. 1:00-4:00 pm at Forest Hills Park. Register with Laura Webb Smith laura.smith@durhamnc.gov or 560-4326 x30235.

 

Label Storm Drains in your Neighborhood, March 20-27, anytime

Label storm drains in your neighborhood with colorful markers that serve as reminders that storm drains lead directly to creeks, rivers, and lakes. No dumping, please! To schedule a time to pick up materials, contact Laura Webb Smith laura.smith@durhamnc.gov or 560-4326 x30235.