Digging in the Dirt: April 2024 Chapter Highlights

PAWS Annual Wildlife Banquet, March 16. The Piedmont Area Wildlife Stewards (PAWS) hosted their 14th Annual Wildlife Banquet at Wood Duck Farms! This wonderful event will support the continuing conservation efforts of PAWS in Gaston County and the surrounding area. Three hundred folks turned out to enjoy fresh oysters, barbecue, raffle prizes and even a live auction!

Carolina Beach Planting, March 22. The North Carolina Wildlife Federation alongside Carolina Beach Trash Walkers, Friends of CB Parks & Greenways, CB Beautification Committee, Town Staff and Town Council joined together at Carolina Beach Lake to plant live oaks, bald cypresses and yaupon hollies!

Charlotte Museum of History Habitat Restoration, March 24. The Charlotte Wildlife Stewards continued their work to improve habitat at the Charlotte Museum of History. With help from the North Carolina Native Plant Society and CleanAIRENC, nearly 40 volunteers showed up to remove many invasive species including English ivy and privet and to plant over 30 native plants including blue-eyed grass, river cane, spicebush, and highbush blueberry.

Seed Packing Party, March 27. Triad Wild! Chapter of NCWF hosted a seed packing party! The group packed Butterfly Highway seeds to give away at future chapter events. The mix includes partridge pea, purple coneflower, blazing star, beebalm, milkweed and more!

Happy Hill Garden Workday, March 30. NCWF hosted a garden workday at Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church. 32 pollinator plants were put in the ground including bee balm, creeping phlox, red columbine, prairie dropseed, yellow coneflower, wild bleeding heart and more!

PAWS Learn to Hunt, March 30. The Piedmont Area Wildlife Stewards (PAWS) hosted a learn to hunt event. The chapter covered a variety of field skills and other popular topics including biology, habits and habitats, scouting, essential equipment and gear, setup and decoy placement, taking effective, ethical shots, field dressing and post-harvest processing, and recipes. The event was open to all skill levels.

From Roars to Tweets, April 2. The Southeastern Swamp Stewards hosted an event at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Whiteville. The event featured an interactive science trivia game showcasing how our modern day bird evolved from a group of dinosaurs known as theropods.

Lincoln Heights Garden Workday, April 2. In recent years, the South Wake Conservationists have created a series of pollinator gardens in Wake County. Lincoln Heights Magnet Elementary School in Fuquay-Varina was first on the list to be created! The chapter alongside the school’s Green Team removed dead growth, weeded the garden and planted several native trees!

Hike with HAWK, April 2. The Habitat and Wildlife Keepers hosted Town of Matthews Parks Coordinator, Daniel Carpenter, for a hike at Stevens Creek Nature Preserve in Mint Hill. Participants learned about the life cycle of white-tailed deer and searched the preserve for signs of their sheds and other activities.

Bradford Pear Bounty Exchange, April 6. The Bradford Bounty Exchange is a collaborative effort between the NC Urban Forest Council, NC State Extension, NC Forest Service and NC Wildlife Federation that aims to reduce the amount of invasive Bradford pear trees in North Carolina and expand native tree canopy. The Bradford Pear Bounty partnership held a tree give away event in Spindale. Upwards of 250 registrants signed up to each receive up to five free native trees!

Christmas Tree Drop, April 6. The Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists teamed up with volunteers from the Lake Norman Shrine Club to drop nearly 200 Christmas trees to the bottom of the lake. These trees will improve habitat for fish, by attracting the tiny organisms and small fish that larger species rely on for food.

Swift Creek Preserve Nature Walk, April 7. The South Wake Conservationists and ephemeral plant lovers participated in a very enjoyable and educational walk at Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve in Cary, North Carolina! The walk was led by plant scientist Dr. Eric Pauley. Dr. Pauley has extensive knowledge and experience regarding plants that enjoy woodland habitat. He provided considerable history regarding the evolution of the bluffs and surrounding geography!

Earthshare Earth Day Challenge (Durham), April 12. NCWF led a service day through EarthShare with corporate volunteers from Bohler Engineering. 31 native plants were installed including milkweed, winterberry, Joe-Pye weed and more! The crew also removed invasive species like Chinese privet to give the newly planted natives a chance to thrive.

Earthshare Earth Day Challenge (Charlotte), April 12. NCWF led a service day through EarthShare. Three bat roosting boxes were installed with the help of 15 corporate volunteers from Crescent Communities. Blue bird houses were also assembled and 65 lbs of trash were picked up along the creek.

Living Shoreline Installation at Camp Caroline, April 13. NCWF alongside Native Shorelines and the NC Coastal Federation installed a 305 ft living shoreline made of QuickReef units at Camp Caroline in Arapahoe. The newly restored shoreline will provide numerous benefits: reduced erosion, maintained natural marsh, protected coastal habitat, filtered and improved water quality, buffered shore for changing water levels and improved conditions for aquatic plant and animal life. 3,700 salt meadow hay plugs will be installed in May to complete the vegetative buffer behind the shoreline.

Carolina Raptor Center’s STEAM on the Wing, April 13. The Charlotte Wildlife Stewards participated in the Carolina Raptor Center’s annual STEAM on the Wing and the Water event. Kids (and adults) discovered the wonders of science by learning how the FBI (fungus, bacteria, and invertebrates) decompose organic material into soil.

Butterfly Highway Pitstop Creation at Camp Caroline, April 13. The North Carolina Wildlife Federation installed a Butterfly Highway Pitstop at Camp Caroline in Arapahoe, NC! In just one day, the enthusiastic group transformed an area from barren grass into a haven for pollinators and wildlife. Over 100 plants were installed including seaside goldenrod, bluestar, spiked wild indigo, beebalm, muhly grass, big bluestem, coralberry and more! To cap things off, the group installed a birdhouse and butterfly highway sign. It was a workday characterized by laughter, comradery and meaningful work outdoors!

Lower Cape Fear Brunswick Town Cleanup, April 13. Litter in the environment hurts both terrestrial and marine species through entanglement, suffocation, consumption and poisoning. It also leaches toxic chemicals into waterways and drinking water. Lower Cape Fear Wildlife Chapter of NCWF hosted a cleanup at Brunswick Town in Winnabow, NC

HAWK Kids in Nature Day, April 13. The Habitat and Wildlife Keepers hosted their annual Earth Day with Kids in Nature Day at Squirrel Lake Park. Hundreds of kids, teenagers, and adults stopped by to participate in nature crafts and STEM activities, learn about local wildlife from exhibitors, take a hike around the park, and even say hi to Ranger Rick! Folks took home native plants, went fishing, won prizes and learned just a little more about protecting, conserving, and restoring habitat in their yards.

Participatory Science Outdoor Training, April 14. This joint workshop was hosted by Naturally Wild LLC, Field Inclusive and the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. The workshop was geared towards black and brown communities. Attendees learned field safety tips and how to navigate apps like eBird, Merlin and iNaturalist. The training also included how to use binoculars.

ecoEXPLORE Botany Badge, April 16. NCWF, Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and Tyrrell County Library partnered for a fun ecoEXPLORE botany badge scavenger hunt around the library’s grounds.

Habitat Projects Across Northeastern NC, April 18. The Wildlife Habitat Stewards of NE NC presented to the Dare County Extension Master Gardeners about the work that the chapter is doing to protect, preserve and restore wildlife habitat in northeastern NC.

Raleigh Environmental Awards, April 19. The South Wake Conservationists exhibited at Raleigh’s annual Earth Day/Arbor Day festival. Visitors to the chapter’s booth learned about native mammals, animal sounds, and habitats, with kids -oriented activities. At this event, the South Wake Conservationists chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation was especially honored to be awarded the City of Raleigh’s 2024 Environmental Award for Climate Action – Education. This award was presented on stage by Dr. Benjamin Bobay, Chair of the Raleigh Environmental Advisory Board. Accepting the award on behalf of the entire chapter were Monty Morée, President, John Kinsella, Vice President, and Jeff Allen, Community Engagement Chair.

Tri-County Conservationists Native Plant Sale, April 20. The Tri-County Conservationists had a great day at Wild Birds Unlimited in Chapel Hill. The plant sale was a big success… a sell out! The Chapter sold 140 native plants to help fund their work for wildlife and habitat in Chatham, Alamance and Orange County. The plant sale also served as a way to get more native plants into the local community while simultaneously educating the public about native plants and their importance. Big bluestem, spiked wild indigo, blazing star, bee balm, blue lobelia, butterfly weed, cardinal flower and more!

Neuse River Hawks Conservationists Forest Fest, April 20. The Neuse River Hawks Conservationists participated in Forest Fest! This fun-filled event featured entertainment, the Wake Forest Guild of Artists Spring Art Market, the Wake Forest Farmers Market, a tree seedling giveaway, educational opportunities, children’s activities, vendors, food options, and much more! This family friendly event celebrated the heart of Wake Forest, where history is cherished and nature thrives.

Monroe Litter Sweep, April 20. The Union County Wildlife Chapter partnered with the City of Monroe to pick up litter in and around Bearskin Creek. In a celebration of Earth Day, volunteers removed nearly 200 lbs of trash from local parks and the creek!

Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists Clean & Green, April 20. In honor of Earth Day, the Lake Norman chapter partnered with the Town of Cornelius Parks & Recreation to go Clean and Green! Town staff, with the help from over 20 volunteers, collected 930 pounds of trash throughout Cornelius and Lake Norman. These cleanup efforts support NCWFs Clean & Green effort. For every 25 pounds of litter collected, NCWF plants native species across the state to promote healthy wildlife habitat.

Columbus County Plant Swap, April 20. The Southeastern Swamp Stewards participated in the Columbus County Farmers Market plant swap. The chapter had native plants and Butterfly Highway seeds in an effort to bring more native plants into the local community while simultaneously educating the public about native plants and their importance.

Charlotte Earth Day Celebration, April 20. The Charlotte Wildlife Stewards (CWS) participated in Charlotte Earth Day at the Charlotte Museum of History. Visitors traveled through four knowledge stations to complete activities hosted by local groups. At the CWS table, visitors sowed native wildflower seeds to take home and learned how to create their own pollinator pitstop along The Butterfly Highway

Green Swamp Preserve Guided Hike, April 22. Lower Cape Fear Wildlife celebrated Earth Day at the Green Swamp Nature Preserve. Roger Shew guided the chapter throughout the beautiful habitat. Roger Shew, a native of Brunswick County, has been educating the community for decades about our wild spaces, their importance, and the threats to our regional ecosystem. He works in the community to preserve these habitats, including his self-described “natural treasures” of the coastal plain in southeastern North Carolina.

Duke Energy Earth Day Service Project, April 22. NCWF celebrated Earth Day with a native plant giveaway at John Chavis Memorial Park. In total, over 800 native plants were given away to the local community. The effort served as a great way to promote gardening for wildlife and celebrate the importance of native plants and pollinators. In addition to the plant giveaway, NCWF alongside the City of Raleigh hosted nearly a hundred Duke Energy volunteers for a workday throughout Chavis Park. The volunteers split up into three teams and removed invasive species, cleaned up the stream and spread mulch. It was a victorious day for wildlife and habitat with outstanding support from the community.

Flutter by Earth Day, April 22. The Concord Wildlife Alliance participated in the City of Concord’s Flutter By Earth Day event. Volunteers with the chapter shared information on native bees, gave away wildflower seed paper and showcased The Butterfly Highway program. Ranger Rick even made an appearance!

Earth Day on the Trail, April 22. The Wildlife Habitat Stewards of NE NC celebrated Earth Day with Green Saves Green by presenting information on wetland habitats to a group of Elizabeth City Middle School students followed by a fun and educational Discovery Walk along the Fenwick-Hollowell Wetlands Trail.

Lake Waccamaw State Park Field Trip, April 22. The Southeastern Swamp Stewards participated in Columbus County Soil and Water’s field trip at Lake Waccamaw State Park! The chapter shared the importance of wetlands for wildlife continuity with so many enthusiastic 5th graders from city and county schools. From flood prevention, soil erosion to habitat preservation, the chapter covered Lake Waccamaw’s water quality, its extensive biodiversity and how it supports many endemic species, as well as the Lake’s recreational aspects.

Neuse River Hawks Nature Walk, April 24. The Neuse River Hawks Conservationists got together for a nature walk in Wake Forest to enjoy the blooming spring wildflowers, migrating birds and all things nature!

Bloom: Wildflower Art, April 24. NCWF, Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft partnered to provide a wildflower art program by hammering out prints from foraged native and invasive wildflowers. Participants learned the differences between commonly found species and why they’re beneficial for pollinators and other wildlife.

Carolina Beach Island Greenway Planting, April 26. The North Carolina Wildlife Federation alongside Lower Cape Fear Wildlife, Carolina Beach Trash Walkers, Friends of CB Parks & Greenways, CB Beautification Committee, Town Staff and Town Council joined together at the Island Greenway on Carolina Beach Lake to plant a variety of native plants in celebration of Arbor Day.

Pollinator Garden Planting at Dismal Swamp State Park, April 28. The Wildlife Habitat Stewards of NE NC came together to plant a Butterfly Highway pollinator pitstop at Dismal Swamp State Park. Over 80 native plants will work to provide food, shelter, and places to raise young to the wildlife of the park.