Thanks to Our Volunteers! – February 2025 Community Wildlife Chapter Updates

January 31, SWC Native Pollinator Sign Installation at Lincoln Heights Elementary School: NCWF South Wake Conservationists Chapter installed a sign about native pollinators in a native plant pollinator garden at Lincoln Heights Magnet Elementary School in Fuquay-Varina. The sign highlights the importance of native pollinators. Special thanks to the Jandy Ammons Foundation for their support!

February 2, Brunswick Nature Park Nature Walk: The Lower Cape Fear Wildlife chapter heard the chorus of American Robins as they learned about winter foliage in Brunswick Nature Park. Morella, Ilex, Symplocos, Quercus, and Arundinaria species held on to their leaves even after historic snowfall in Brunswick county.

February 5, Butterfly Highway Seed Paper Workshop: In partnership with Pocosin Lakes NWR and Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft, NCWF provided a Butterfly Highway seed paper making workshop where participants of all ages learned how to make seed paper from recycled paper.

February 7-8, NCWF Chapter Leader Outing: NCWF Chapter Leaders gathered for a full day of wildlife viewing in the refuge. Situated in south-central North Carolina, Pee Dee offers wildlife enthusiasts the opportunity to view migratory birds and waterfowl in the heart of the Piedmont. Over 20 folks, including 6 staff, rolled into the Refuge around 8 AM excited to explore some excellent wildlife habitat. We spotted over 30 species of birds including ring-billed ducks, wood ducks, gadwalls, and even rusty blackbirds. However, the large number of red-headed woodpeckers was the highlight for many of our Chapter Leaders on this trip!

February 9, Supporting Birds Through the Seasons Using Native Plants: NCWF Wildlife Habitat Stewards of Northeastern NC Chapter welcomes NC Wildlife Resource Commission Biologist, Falyn Owens, for a presentation on ways to support birds with native plants throughout every season in North Carolina. Following the presentation, participants enjoyed a guided nature walk on the boardwalk trail at Dismal Swamp State Park.

February 10, NRHC Nature Walk at Mill Bridge Nature Park: NCWF Neuse River Hawks Conservationists Chapter went on a nature walk along the Smith Creek Greenway. Starting from Mill Bridge Nature Park in Rolesville, the group continued along the greenway into Wake Forest. On a chilly morning walk led by chapter leaders, the group saw a red-shouldered hawk and two waterfalls! Along the way, chapter leaders pointed out native trees and plants and touched on the geological history of the area.

February 11, ecoEXPLORE Owl Pellet Discovery: NCWF, Pocosin Lakes NWR, and Tyrrell County Library teamed up to offer this month’s ecoEXPLORE program where participants learned more about owl adaptations and diets by dissecting barn owl pellets.

February 15, SWC Citizen Science Bird Walk at Apex Community Park: NCWF South Wake Conservationists Chapter held a community science bird walk at Apex Community Park. Expert birder and friend of the chapter, Jeremy, showed the group around, helped identify birds, and taught everyone how to use the eBird app to create birding checklists. The group heard or saw 17 different species of birds, including ring-necked ducks, ruddy dugs, red-bellied woodpeckers, and ruby-crowned kinglets!

February 16, CWS Salamander Stroll NCWF Charlotte Wildlife Stewards Chapter joined Naturalist Rob Van Epps to search for salamanders at West Branch Nature Preserve. Twenty-five people attended despite the windy and wet conditions. They were rewarded with four species of salamanders including a marbled salamander on the first log roll! Participants also encountered a dusky salamander, white-spotted slimy salamander, and a spotted salamander. The salamanders pictured here were handled with the utmost care and attention to their well-being!

February 16, CWA Winter Tree Walk: NCWF Concord Wildlife Alliance Chapter joined Master Naturalist Tori Strunk and NCWF Conservation Coordinator Alden Picard for a crash course in winter tree ID. Each participant learned to identify key features of winter twigs like bud arrangement, twig size, and leaf scars. After a lesson and some practice, participants explored the trees at J.W. McGee Park in Concord and put their new skills to the test!

February 22, Tri-County Invasive Plant Removal at Southern Community Dog Park: NCWF Tri-County Conservationists Chapter held an invasive plant removal workday at the Southern Community Dog Park in Chapel Hill. Volunteers successfully rescued countless trees from the strangling vines of wisteria and Japanese honeysuckle.

February 22, CWS Keep Charlotte Beautiful Cleanup: NCWF Charlotte Wildlife Stewards Chapter was back at it keeping Tyvola Road clean. Through the Keep Charlotte Beautiful (KCB) CWS adopted a stretch along Tyvola Rd through KCB’s grassroots Adopt-a Street. program. Volunteers enjoyed the weather and removed more than 150 lbs of litter from the roadside habitat along Tyvola Rd.

February 26, Columbia High School Boardwalk Cleanup: Students from Columbia High School joined NCWF and Pocosin Lakes NWR for an afternoon litter cleanup along the Scuppernong River Boardwalk in Columbia. CHS students and staff helped remove over 100 lbs of trash from this unique wetland habitat while observing a variety of turtle species enjoying the warmer weather!