Digging in the Dirt: November Chapter Highlights
North Carolina Wildlife Federation staff and Community Wildlife Chapter volunteers did a whole lot of invasive plant removing, wildlife educating, nature walking, tree planting, kids in nature inspiring, conservation fundraising, litter sweeping, and more in November to promote healthy wildlife habitat and inspire people to get outside. In total, 250-plus volunteers were engaged. Over 300 people were given the opportunity to connect with nature through one of NCWF’s various opportunities this month.
Thanks to partners such as the Duke Energy Foundation, Jandy Ammons Foundation and Burt’s Bees for helping make these habitat restoration workdays, educational programs and nature outings possible. Explore our Events Calendar to discover where NCWF and our Community Wildlife Chapters are hosting in-person and virtual events near you. Check out a few highlights below from our conservation outreach team.
NC Museum of Art All Access Trail Grand Opening, October 21. The North Carolina WIldlife Federation in partnership with the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of a brand new All Access Eco Trail. The trail is a series of braille and tactile signs, as well as full audio descriptions, designed to educate both visually impaired and sighted audiences.
Wild I.D.E.A.s Gets Outside, October 21.
NCWF, NCWRC, and multiple other community partners gathered in Chapel Hill at Brumley Nature Preserve for Triangle Land Conservancy’s Wild I.D.E.A.s Gets Outside! This event celebrates inclusion, diversity, equity, and access to the great outdoors by introducing more people to its wonder! The participants explored nature through multiple different hands-on activities offered at the preserve.
Yates Mill Garden Workday, November 1. The South Wake Conservationists braved some chilly weather to improve the chapter’s gardens at Yates Mill in Raleigh. They removed invasives such as bradford pear, dead-headed plants in preparation for spring growth, and planted new pollinator plants!
Annual Cleanup at Fontana Dam, November 3 – 5.
NCWF partnered with Fontana Village, the National Park Service and many other like minded organizations to participate in the 6th Annual Fontana Lakeshore Trash Cleanup. Over 100 volunteers showed up throughout the weekend and filled 15 thirty yard dumpsters picking up over 75,000 lbs of trash! This year marked the largest turnout and most trash removed so far for this event!
Bradford Pear Bounty, November 4. The Bradford Bounty Exchange is a collaborate 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 program hosted an event in Wilmington alongside Lower Cape Fear Wildlife volunteers and gave away over 100 native trees for those who removed a bradford pear from their yard.
Stonemill Falls Wildlife Garden Workday, November 4. The Neuse River Hawks Conservationists hosted a garden workday in Wake Forest. Volunteers hand pulled weeds, spread mulch and planted pollinator plants. The effort improved habitat conditions for native plants and wildlife!
Lake Norman Buttonbush Planting, November 4.
NCWF and Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists teamed up with about 20 volunteers to plant over 100 button bushes on island habitats in Lake Norman. Volunteers loaded plants onto a double decker pontoon boat and unloaded them for planting on three separate islands. These efforts will help stabilize shorelines, reduce erosion, and provide critical habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.
ecoEXPLORE Introduction to Mammalogy, November 7.
NCWF, Pocosin Lakes NWR and Tyrrell County Library partnered to host an ecoEXPLORE Introduction to Mammalogy program where ecoEXPLORERs learned all about our local mammal species and how to ethically observe them during this Mammalogy Badge season. Participants wrote short poems and stories to describe their favorite mammal (leaving out it’s name) and had each other guess which species they were describing!
Indigenous Peoples & Natural Resources, November 8.
NCWF, Pocosin Lakes NWR and Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft collaborated to provide a program centered around indigenous peoples and how they sustainably use the natural resources around them. Participants created their own clay pots modeled after examples of local Native American artifacts.
Occoneechee Mountain Nature Walk, November 11. The Tri-County Conservationists hosted a nature walk at Occoneechee Mountain Natural area in Hillsborough. The group enjoyed a rich sense of comradery as they basked in the beautiful fall weather.
Pollinator Habitat Workday in Downtown Durham, November 11.
NCWF visited Morehead Montessori to help them create a pollinator habitat on their campus. About 15 volunteers, including Morehead students and their families, teamed up with volunteers to plant 60 pollinator plants while younger helpers crafted bird feeders.
6th Annual Give Thanks for Wildlife Fundraiser, November 11.
Concord Wildlife Alliance (CWA) hosted their annual fundraiser at Cabarrus Brewing Company. Participants and sponsors enjoyed a BBQ dinner and homemade venison chili prepared by local firefighters. Proceeds benefited CWA and their incredible Hunters Feed Cabarrus County program. Harvested deer are donated by hunters (at no cost to them), processed at Rocky River Game Processing, and donated to Cooperative Christian Ministry to feed the hungry. The evening was full of fellowship, wildlife talk, and good times!
Brumley Nature Preserve Tree Planting, November 14. The Tri-County Conservationists hosted a tree planting at Brumley Nature Preserve in Chapel Hill in an effort to restore a wetland site impacted by the emerald ash borer. The volunteer crew planted nearly 200 native trees!
Pollinator Habitat Workday at Catawba Trail Farm, November 15.
NCWF partnered with the Durham Co. Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and Urban Community ArgiNomics (UCAN) at Catawba Trail Farm to install a pollinator garden. Volunteers from each group worked together to plant 53 pollinator plants and shrubs next to UCAN’s vegetable garden.
Anne Wilkerson Nature Preserve Walk, November 15. The Neuse River Hawks Conservationists enjoyed a nature walk at Annie Wilkerson Nature Preserve in Raleigh. The walk was led by an expert naturalist who also serves as the manager of the preserve.
Charlotte Creek ReLeaf, November 18.
NCWF, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, Charlotte Public Tree Fund, and Charlotte Wildlife Stewards teamed up with over 100 volunteers to plant 325 trees along Long Creek Greenway in North Charlotte. The trees planted here will help improve air and water quality, increase tree canopy coverage, and provide habitat for local wildlife.
Oak Island Native Plant Sale, November 18. Lower Cape Fear Wildlife hosted a native plant sale on Oak Island. The chapter sold a variety of species including spiked wild indigo, prairie coneflower, blazing star, stokes aster, Cherokee sedge, serviceberry, redbud and more in an effort to increase access to native plants in the community and promote gardening for wildlife!
Bolin Creek Invasive Removal, November 30. The Tri-County Conservationists returned to Bolin Creek to continue their privet removal effort. What was once a forest of invasive species has started to show real signs of progress.
Written by:
– Seana Finn, Community Organizer
– Luke Bennett, Conservation Coordinator
– Laura Frazier, Refuge Community Organizer
– Natalie Bohorquez, Director of Conservation Partnerships
– Alden Picard, Conservation Coordinator