Digging in the Dirt: September Planting & Chapter Highlights

Matthews Alive Festival, Sept 2 – Sept 5. Members of the HAWK chapter participated in the annual Labor Day weekend festival dedicated to the support of local non-profit organizations.

Carolina Beach Cleanup, Sept 7. Island Wildlife and Island Women rose early and collected 67 pounds of trash along the shores of Carolina Beach. The trash collected was entered into NCWF’s Clean & Green Program.

Workday at Yates Mill Park, Sept 7. The South Wake Conservationists removed large quantities of invasive plants in preparation for a native planting later in the fall. The team enjoyed a thriving wildlife population while they worked. Several frogs, an anole lizard and two snake species were found in the garden, including a copperhead, which was safely relocated within the park!

Big Sweep at Marsh Creek, Sept 9. NCWF partnered with Wake County and mobilized an eager group of teachers and students from Franklin Academy. The team stepped out of the classroom and removed 450 pounds of garbage in Marsh Creek Park.

58th Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards, Sept 10. Chapter leaders and members assembled at the annual in-person chapter caucus to strategize how best to make a conservation impact in their communities. Chapter leaders presented checks to NCWF at the annual meeting and then headed to the final banquet for a heavy dose of conservation inspiration.

Turnipseed Nature Preserve Pollinator Planting, Sept 15. NCWF joined with Wake County Parks & Rec and enthusiastic volunteers to plant native plants and create beautiful wildlife habitat at Turnipseed Nature Preserve.

Native Plant Festival, Sept 17. Island Wildlife brought a strong tabling crew to the Native Plant Festival at the New Hanover County Arboretum. Island Wildlife contributed to the festival’s mission by educating the public on the benefits and importance of native plants for our local  ecosystems while also handing out some sweet t-shirts.

Red Wolf Center Pollinator Garden Workday, Sept 17. NCWF joined with volunteers to restore the pollinator garden behind the Red Wolf Center in Columbia, NC. Participants were treated to the sonic wonder of howling red wolves while they worked.

I Spy… Ribbon Walk Nature Preserve, Sept 18. Charlotte Wildlife Stewards went on an adventure with naturalist Alden Picard at Ribbon Walk Nature Preserve. The adventurers kept their eyes peeled and spotted a heron, a couple of turtles, a frog on a log, woodpeckers, deer and raccoon tracks, a beaver dam, tree stumps made by beavers, wildflowers, huge trees, and much more.

Unveiling of Bountiful Butterflies Mural, Sept 22. Island Wildlife celebrated with the Carolina Beach Mural Project as they unveiled their latest butterfly themed mural by artist Beka Butts.

Elk Viewing, Sept 23. NCWF hosted chapter leaders and board members to a chilly morning in the Great Smoky Mountains filled with majestic elk sights and sounds.

Invasive Plant Removal at Bass Lake, Sept 24. The South Wake Conservationists won the first battle against the invasive plants at Bass Lake in Holly Springs. With tools provided by the park, the team tackled and removed various instances of bradford pear, Chinese bushclover, autumn olive, mimosa trees, multiflora rose, white mulberry, Japanese honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, Chinese privet, vasey grass, autumn clematis, and nandina.

Mitchell Mill Nature Walk, Sept 28. The Neuse River Hawks watched their feet as they hiked atop the granite flatrocks of Mitchell Mill Natural Area. The rare plants and unique geological features replenished the chapter’s scientific curiosity.

Invasive Plant Removal at Turnipseed Nature Preserve, Sept 29. NCWF joined with Wake County Parks & Rec and brave volunteers to battle against the invasive privet plaguing the preserve. The intrepid crew successfully prepared the area for a native replanting in October.