NCWF In The Field – September, 2025

September 2, Butterfly Highway Native Planting: Volunteers added 51 new plants and 10 different species to the Butterfly Highway pitstop at Halyburton Park, including Andropogon gerardii, Coreopsis verticillate, Eryngium yuccifolium, Monarda punctata, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Schizachryium scoparium, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Solidago odora, Vaccinium tenellum, and Vaccinium arboreum.

September 3, Migration in Motion: Silhouettes & Cyanotypes: In partnership with Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, NCWF joined Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft to offer a program focused on monarch butterfly migration, pollinator conservation programs like NCWF’s Butterfly Highway, and creating cyanotypes out of butterfly silhouettes. Following the craft, participants enjoyed searching for caterpillars and butterflies around the refuge’s educational pollinator garden in Columbia.

September 6, Foraging the Wild. Let the hunt begin! High Country Wild hosted a special event in Jefferson, NC led by foraging enthusiast, Brenda Smith. We took a leisurely stroll as we explored and asked questions about the magnificent world of plants and all things wild. We sharpened our identification skills, got our hands in the dirt, and had plenty of fun along the way!

September 6, Mountain Island Cleanup. New River Conservancy, Keep Alleghany Litter Free, NC State Parks, New River Wildlife Conservation Club, and NCWF’s High Country Wild joined forces for an unforgettable experience on the New River in Alleghany County. The volunteer crew removed 3200 lbs of trash and debris in an effort to keep our waterways clean and maintain suitable habitat for the abundance of both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife that rely on the New River.

September 9, ecoEXPLORE Mycology & Ecology Field Season: NCWF Wildlife Habitat Stewards of Northeastern NC Chapter and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge teamed up with Tyrrell County Library to kick off the mycology and ecology field season with a fun nature outing, scouting for fungi and examples of interactions between animals, plants, and the physical environment!

September 9, Nature Trivia: NCWF Charlotte Wildlife Stewards chapter hosted their second nature and wildlife trivia of the year. Over 60 enthusiasts showed up to enjoy cold beverages, tasty treats, and three rounds of trivia at Sugar Creek Brewing Company. Native plants, chapter swag, and wildlife-themed prizes were raffled off to raise money for conservation in Charlotte.

September 11, Pollinator Workshop: NCWF Conservation Coordinator Alden Picard joined NC Wildlife Resources Commission biologists in Mocksville to explore pollinator habitat and learn what native insects need as they prepare for winter. Soil and Water professionals, environmental educators, and private landowners came together to explore pollinator life cycles, habitats, ecosystems, and identification.

September 13, SWC Eco Kids Animal Signs Discovery Walk: NCWF South Wake Conservationists chapter held an animal signs walk at the Harris Energy & Environmental Center in New Hill. Chapter member and environmental educator, Bonnie Eamick, led the walk and pointed out mud dauber nests, spider webs, yellow-bellied sapsucker holes in a tree trunk, and prints in the moist streambed including coyotes, raccoons, and deer tracks. Participants also got to see parasitic native ghost plants!

September 13, Terrific Tree Adventure: NCWF Habitat Builders of West Union chapter engaged youth and families in a terrific tree adventure at Marvin Efird Park. Participants discovered seeds, leaves, and bark during hands-on activities. The group took a walk through the park to find some special native trees. (continued)

25 passionate participants walked the trails of Marvin Efird Park, where we deepened our appreciate for the incredible importance and diversity of native trees. We learned how they support local wildlife, filter our air, and build a stronger, healthier community.

September 13, Wildlife Paddle at Merchants Millpond State Park: NCWF Wildlife Habitat Stewards of Northeastern NC Chapter hosted a wildlife paddle on Merchants Millpond where participants had the opportunity to view one of the park’s elusive American alligators, a beaver lodge, countless green treefrogs and yellow-bellied sliders, great blue herons, and great egrets.

September 13, NRHC Invasive to Native: NCWF Neuse River Hawks Conservationists held an invasive plant workshop and removal event in Rolesville. Speaker and professional invasive removal specialist, Robbie Davis of Native Plants Matter NC, LLC, gave a presentation about invasive plants–what they are, how to identify them, and how to remove them. Following the presentation, participants put their knowledge to the test by removing invasive plants from Main Street Park in preparation for a native planting workday this fall!

September 13, Wings Up For Wilmington: Certified Wildlife Habitat Stewards joined NCWF at the Willowdale Urban Farm chimney swift tower to install a pollinator garden with 12 species (Andropogon gerardii, Lonicera sempervirens, Monarda fistulosa, Monarda punctata, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Oenothera fruticosa, Oenothera speciosa, Passiflora incarnata, Schizachyrium scoparium, Scutellaria incana, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) of pollinator host plants.

September 13, SSS A Day of Birds with John Gerwin: John Gerwin’s day at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Whiteville started at Helms Nature Preserve with the Southeastern Swamp Stewards chapter and a bird walk, learning about the entire foodweb of birds in forested wetlands and the arthropods of fall.

September 14, Elk Shoals Cleanup. New River Conservancy, Keep Ashe Beautiful, NC State Parks, and NCWF’s High Country Wild worked together on the New River in Ashe County. The volunteer crew removed 2200 pounds of trash and debris in an effort to keep our waterways clean and maintain suitable habitat for the abundance of both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife that rely on the New River.

September 17, Lake Tomahawk Workday. Swannanoa Valley WILD! and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley (UUCSV) worked together at the Lake Tomahawk Wildlife Garden. Thanks to the amazing support from the Town of Black Mountain and an army of dedicated volunteers, the chapter is making strides in our mission to reclaim the garden from non-native invasive species. The crew on 9/17 continued to prep the site as we get ready to plant native plants in the spring. Stay tuned for future chapter workdays in the Swannanoa Valley. We promise that they feel less like work and more like fun, and hope that you’ll leave feeling inspired and connected!

September 18, Pinecone Bird Feeders: NCWF staff made pinecone bird feeders with over 45 K-5 students at the Boys and Girls Club of Durham and Orange Counties. The kids enjoyed learning about some of the birds that might come visit their homemade feeders and the types of seeds that each bird liked to eat.

September 19, Swift Night Out: NCWF and Cape Fear Audubon came together to witness the roosting spectacle of chimney swifts in downtown Wilmington. Although the chimney swifts were absent, over 50 people took a deep dive on chimney swift ecology and were called to action to encourage city leadership to protect historic roosting sites in Wilmington.

September 20, Monarch Celebration: NCWF Charlotte Wildlife Stewards chapter partnered with the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, and local nonprofits to celebrate the monarch butterfly for the third straight year. Parking reached capacity as over 500 youth and adults participated in this free educational festival. Attendees enjoyed crafts, face painting, plant giveaways, pollinator garden planting, and a pollinator parade led by Ranger Rick himself!

September 20, 2025 – Wild adventures filled Kids in Nature Day! NCWF Concord Wildlife Alliance Chapter welcomed 125 curious explorers to Woodland Discovery for a day full of fishing, fun, birding thrills, nature walks, scavenger hunts, and a visit from Ranger Rick. (continued)

Parents, grandparents, and children enjoyed fishing, crafting, hiking, and even birding. Kids practiced identifying rocks and trees, and observed monarch butterflies! Don’t miss this free event next year!

September 21, Farmer’s Fish Camp River Cleanup. New River Conservancy, New River Wildlife and Conservation Club, and NCWF’s High Country Wild worked together on the New River in Alleghany County. The awesome volunteer crew removed over 2 thousand pounds of trash and debris. Trash and debris in waterways create a host of problems for wildlife including entanglement, ingestion, habitat contamination, and degraded water quality. Cleanup efforts are vital in keeping our waterways clean and maintaining suitable habitat for wildlife!

September 22, Public Forum: Alden attended the Charlotte City Council Public Forum with the Coalition to Protect Our Urban Nature. Two members spoke, urging the Mayor and City Council to update the city’s outdated overgrown vegetation ordinance, and over 40 folks showed up in support!

September 24, NRHC Nature Walk at B.W. Wells Rockcliff Farms: NCWF Neuse River Hawks Conservationists Chapter went on a nature walk at B.W. Wells Rockcliff Farms. The group had the unique opportunity to visit this property and hike the trails along Falls Lake. Guides from the chapter pointed out an American Elm that has survived due to isolation and an Eastern Red Cedar tree that was 148 years old. There were also lots of Great Blue Heron and one very talkative osprey soaring overhead.

September 25, Swannanoa Valley WILD! Social at Terra Nova. Swannanoa Valley got WILD! last night at Terra Nova Brewing in Swannanoa. Big thanks to everyone who came out to support and a special shoutout to Emily at Patchwork Meadows for sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with the crowd.

September 26, Bowditch Bottoms Workday. NCWF and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy joined forces once again to tackle invasive plant species at Bowditch Bottoms in Yancey County alongside volunteers from the WNC Nature Center. The crew focused on non-native multiflora rose and autumn olive in the wetland areas. Through multiple workdays and now with the help of EcoForesters, we’re starting to see real progress at the site!

September 27, FLOC National Hunting and Fishing Day: NCWF Fall Line Outdoors Chapter participated in National Hunting and Fishing Day in Ellerbe. The chapter engaged the community with information about chapter programs and Chronic Wasting Disease monitoring. NCWF also provided one lucky child with a lifetime hunting and fishing license in partnership with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission–congratulations!

September 28, NCWF Pollinator Garden Planting at Sandy Pines Preserve: NCWF and Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces teamed up for a pollinator garden planting at Sandy Pines Preserve in Wendell. Volunteers planted over 40 native pollinator plants at the beginning of the trail system in the preserve. Plants included narrow leaf mint, Carolina phlox, rattlesnake master, Joe Pye weed, and a variety of asters. Following the planting, volunteers took a short nature walk to see a long leaf pine stand and observed a very docile Eastern black rat snake and an Easter tailed-blue butterfly along the way!

September 29, Swannanoa Planting with Warren Wilson College. Swannanoa Valley WILD! worked together with Dr. Amy Boyd and the Conservation Biology Students Warren Wilson to install a pollinator garden at the Swannanoa Public Library. We planted a variety of native plant species to attract and support pollinators while providing a place for the Swannanoa community to gather and learn about the importance of native plants and wildlife.

September 29, Autumn Elk Adventure: NCWF Habitat and Wildlife Keepers chapter chartered a bus and took over 40 wildlife enthusiasts to witness the beauty of elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The group stopped for lunch in the charming town of Sylva before heading to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to meet with Cherokee Nation Wildlife Biologist Dr. Caleb Hickman for a chance to see the bugling of elk during rutting season.

September 30, Pollinator Pitstop Prep: NCWF Charlotte Wildlife Stewards chapter is partnering with Central Carolinas Master Naturalist volunteers and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation to install a Pollinator Pitstop on the Butterfly Highway at Veterans Park in Charlotte. Volunteers gathered to prep the 1,000 sq ft. site for planting in November. Tasks included sod removal, laying cardboard, mulching, and staking.