Cape Fear River Watch

February First Saturday Seminar
2022-02-05 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Online, NC, United States
Speaker: Dawn York, Senior Coastal Planner with Moffatt & Nichol and Cape Fear River Partnership Coordinator
Topic: Update of Lock & Dam #1 Rock Arch Rapid Modification
Zoom Link to Register – https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMocO6rrz8vGdZ0dkEDPIAderYqRZTpJbFj

March First Saturday Seminar
2022-03-05 09:00 - 11:00 | Online, NC, United States
March is Fish Consumption Month! Join us for our March First Saturday Seminar on Saturday, March 5th at 9:00 am via Zoom. Our presenters will share a summary of toxins found in fish and crabs in the Cape Fear River, including mercury, arsenic, chromium, and PCBs, and will discuss how those levels were used to determine fish consumption advisories for our area. We will also share updates from our community stakeholder partnership in advancing the Stop! Check! Enjoy! Campaign during the month of March and beyond.
Speakers
– Mozhgon Rajaee – Assistant Professor of Public Health at Oakland University
– Abigail Joyce – Research Scientist and Manager of the Analytical Chemistry Core with Duke University Superfund Research Center
-Veronia Carter – Town of Leland Councilmember
– Introduction by Chiara Klein, Program Coordinator for Community Engagement with Duke University Superfund Research Center
Zoom link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlfuChqjIpGd1tWxcXhnLjE-6GBsll8MKv
Dr. Mozhgon Rajaee is an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Oakland University in Michigan. She holds a Master of Science and a Master of Public Health and a PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on environmental health and justice issues.
Dr. Abbey Joyce is a Research Scientist at Duke University where she is the manager of the Analytical Chemistry Core for Duke’s Superfund Research Center. Her research focuses on measuring and understanding environmental contaminants, notably PFAS.
Veronica Carter is a former Civil Servant (International and US) and retired Army officer with over 39 years’ experience in managing complex logistics operations, often under austere conditions. Veronica has served on the Board of Directors for Cape Fear and Brunswick County’s Habitat for Humanity affiliates and Town of Leland’s Parks and Recreation Board. In addition she serves on the Duke Superfund Advisory Board and was instrumental in starting the Brunswick County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), the County’s Long-Term Recovery Group. Veronica has devoted much of her time to ensuring Environmental Justice by empowering, advocating, and educating EJ communities in southeastern NC.
The Governor of North Carolina appointed Veronica to the Coastal Resources Commission, from 2008 through 2012 and she currently serves on the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Board. She is a native of Brooklyn, New York and received her BA in Political Science from Fordham University and her MPA from Troy State University. She is a graduate of the United States Army’s Command and General Staff College.
In November 2019, Veronica was elected, and is currently serving as a Councilmember for the Town of Leland, North Carolina.

April First Saturday Seminar
2022-04-02 09:00 - 10:30 | Online, NC, United States
Energy Trends and Issues in NC and the Role of Offshore Wind
Speaker: Roger Shew

Saturday, April 2nd
9:00 – 10:30 am
Virtual via ZOOM – Register HERE

Join us for our April First Saturday Seminar virtually via ZOOM. Roger Shew will be discussing energy trends and issues in NC and the role of offshore wind with comments on current sea level and high tide flooding issues in the Lower Cape Fear River. This will be our final ZOOM-only seminar! We will be returning to in-person Saturday Seminars at the CFRW Office beginning in May, though will continue to offer a ZOOM option for those that prefer to join from home! Register for April HERE.

Speaker Bio: Roger is a Geology and Environmental Science professor at UNCW and has been teaching since 1999. He is particularly interested in energy and water resources, coastal plain ecosystems, and other sustainability issues. He has served on the Board of Directors at Cape Fear River Watch since 2008 and additionally volunteers with the Coastal Federation and the Nature Conservancy. Roger grew up in Brunswick County and worked in the Energy Industry for 20 years.

May First Saturday Seminar: The Plastic Pandemic
2022-05-07 08:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
We hope you can join us for our May First Saturday Seminar, which will be our first IN PERSON seminar since the beginning of COVID! We can’t wait to share coffee and pancakes with you at our office. CFRW staff members Rob Clark and Audrey Dunn will be discussing the growing plastics crisis, including plastic’s dire environmental impacts from production to disposal (or lack thereof) as well as CFRW’s work to combat plastic pollution in our area. Check out Audrey and Rob’s bios here.
For those who would prefer to attend via Zoom, that option will be available, and you can register for that here.
For everyone who wants to attend in person, please register here.
The seminar will be held at our office (617 Surry St.), with doors opening at 8am and the presentation beginning at 9am.

September First Saturday Seminar
2022-09-03 08:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
A History of Greenfield Lake with Travis Gilbert
We hope you can join us for our September First Saturday Seminar! Travis Gilbert, Executive Director of the Historic Wilmington Foundation will be sharing about the history of Greenfield Lake, from centuries ago to today.

Our doors will open at 8am for coffee and pancakes and our seminar will begin at 9am. You can also join our seminar virtually via Zoom.
Register for ZOOM ONLY here: https://bit.ly/FirstSatZOOM

No pre-registration required for in-person attendees.

The seminar will be held at the CFRW office located at 617 Surry St. We hope to see you there!

October First Saturday Seminar
2022-10-01 08:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Join us at 617 Surry St. on Saturday, October 1st for an educational seminar presented by Andy Wood. Doors open at 8am for pancakes and coffee; seminar begins at 9am.
Magnificent Rescue: Protecting Biodiversity at Ecosystem Scale
Cape Fear River swamps and other wetland habitats are imperiled by river dredging, the wood pellet industry, and an expanding ocean. This engaging program explores the environmental challenges our species must meet head-on for the sake of future generations—ecologically, economically, and politically—with attention to protecting the living nuts and bolts holding-together our Starship life-support system.
Andy Wood is a biologist and conservation educator. His career includes 12 years as Education Curator with the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher and 11 years as State Education Director with the National Audubon Society. As director of Coastal Plain Conservation Group, Andy is focused on preventing unfettered habitat loss and extinction of southeast North Carolina plants and wildlife. Andy is otherwise an environmental consultant with his wife Sandy’s company, Habitats Gardens, LLC.
Pre-registration not required. We will record this event and share to our Youtube channel.

1st Saturday Seminar: Restoring Wilmington's Waterways
2022-11-05 08:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Speaker: Anna Reh-Gingerich, Watershed Coordinator – Heal Our Waterways Program with City of Wilmington Stormwater Services
Topic: Restoring Wilmington’s Waterways through Stormwater Solutions
Anna’s presentation will introduce the goals of the Heal Our Waterways Program and walk through a variety of “Creek-Friendly Practices” property owners can incorporate around their homes and businesses.
About the speaker: Anna is the Watershed Coordinator for the City of Wilmington and manages the City’s ‘Heal Our Waterways Program’ for Bradley Creek and Hewletts Creek. After receiving an M.S. in Coastal and Ocean Policy in 2016 from UNC-Wilmington, she moved to Richmond, Virginia and worked for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in a water quality policy role for several years. The pull of the ocean and love of Wilmington brought her back to the area and to her current position where she enjoys promoting simple solutions for stormwater pollution within the community.
Note: Pre-registration not required. In-person only. Coffee and pancakes at 8am, presentation begins at 9am. The recording will be available online within the next couple of weeks.

1st Saturday Seminar - From Mountains to Sea: An Adventure in Plant Communities
2022-12-03 08:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Speaker: Amy Renfranz
Topic: From Mountains to Sea: An Adventure in Plant Communities
Join naturalist Amy Renfranz as she makes parallels between the plant communities on the coast and in the mountains of North Carolina. Her talk will leave you with a bucket list of places to visit and a few ideas for ways to incorporate natural ecology into your own backyard!
About the speaker: Amy Renfranz lives for exploring and investigating the world around her – and sharing those experiences with others.
Amy began in environmental education on the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2008. In 2011, she was awarded the National Park Service at the Blue Ridge Parkway’s “Ranger of the Year” award for her work in creating new programming for youth and adults. She is a NC Certified Environmental Educator and a Certified Naturalist through the Yellowstone Institute. She has also worked at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, Lees-McRae College, the Yellowstone Association Institute, and New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District. For nearly ten years, she wrote an award-winning, weekly newspaper column called “Dear Naturalist.” In 2022, she began pursuing a full-time career in native plant landscaping.
Amy is a graduate of Appalachian State University and North Carolina State University, where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. She currently serves on the board of Keep New Hanover Beautiful and the Environmental Educators of North Carolina. She volunteers as a Creek Watcher for Cape Fear River Watch, and facilitates litter cleanups in her neighborhood.
Note: Pre-registration not required. In-person only. Coffee and pancakes at 8am, presentation begins at 9am. The recording will be available online within the next couple of weeks.

1st Saturday Seminar - Magnificent Rescue: Protecting Biodiversity at Ecosystem Scale
2023-01-07 08:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Speaker: Andy Wood
Topic: Magnificent Rescue: Protecting Biodiversity at Ecosystem Scale
Cape Fear River swamps and other wetland habitats are imperiled by river dredging, the wood pellet industry, and an expanding ocean. This engaging program explores the environmental challenges our species must meet head-on for the sake of future generations—ecologically, economically, and politically—with attention to protecting the living nuts and bolts holding-together our Starship life-support system.
About the speaker:Andy Wood is a biologist and conservation educator. His career includes 12 years as Education Curator with the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher and 11 years as State Education Director with the National Audubon Society. As director of Coastal Plain Conservation Group, Andy is focused on preventing unfettered habitat loss and extinction of southeast North Carolina plants and wildlife. Andy is otherwise an environmental consultant with his wife Sandy’s company, Habitats Gardens, LLC.
Note: Pre-registration not required. In-person only. Coffee and pancakes at 8am, presentation begins at 9am. The recording will be available online within the next couple of weeks.

1st Saturday Seminar - Bird Atlasing in NC
2023-02-04 08:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Speaker: John Carpenter
Topic: Bird Atlasing in NC
The NC Bird Atlas, now in its third year, is a project that maps bird distribution and abundance through bird observations. Come out to learn about the NC Bird Atlas, its function, and how you can get involved. Learn about priority blocks and where you can find additional resources on atlasing. Great if you are new to birding, or an experienced birder who wants to contribute to the Atlas.
About the speaker: John Carpenter has worked as a Wildlife Biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission for the past 13 years. He received a M.S. in Plant and Soil Science from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Note: Pre-registration not required. In-person only. Coffee and pancakes at 8am, presentation begins at 9am. The recording will be available online the following week.

1st Saturday Seminar - Oysters
2023-03-04 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Speaker: James Hargrove, Owner of Middle Sound Mariculture
Topic: Oysters
8:00 am – Doors open for coffee and pancakes
9:00 am – Seminar begins
Note: Pre-registration not required. In-person only. Coffee and pancakes at 8am, presentation begins at 9am. The recording will be available online the following week.

1st Saturday Seminar - Cooking the GOOS: Salinity, sea level rise and the oceans
2023-04-01 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Speaker: Dr. Frederick Bingham, professor in the Department of Physics & Physical Oceanography and Center for Marine Science at UNCW
Topic: Salinity, sea level rise and the oceans. Join us as Dr. Frederick Bingham will be talking about some of the ways that the ocean is observed, including in situ (wet) instruments, tide gauges and satellites relating them to how we observe and understand sea level rise. He will also talk about salinity, how it is defined and measured, how it is changing globally and how it is being monitored (or really not) in the Cape Fear River.
Bio: Dr. Frederick Bingham has been a professor in the Department of Physics & Physical Oceanography and Center for Marine Science at UNCW for almost 30 years (29). He has a PhD in Oceanography from the University of California San Diego, and a Masters degree in Computer Science and Information Systems from UNCW. He has held previous positions at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Fred has spent his career studying the circulation of the oceans at large scales, their interaction with the atmosphere, their role in the climate, and the importance of ocean salinity in all of that. He has over 50 published papers in the field and his research has been funded by NASA as a member of their Ocean Salinity Science Team since 2009.
8:00 am – Doors open for coffee and pancakes
9:00 am – Seminar begins
Note: Pre-registration not required. In-person only. Coffee and pancakes at 8am, presentation begins at 9am. The recording will be available online the following week.

February First Saturday Seminar
2026-02-07 08:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
We will hear from New Hanover County’s first Sustainability Manager, Madelyn Wampler. Madelyn will provide an overview of the county’s recently completed sustainability assessment (click here to read). She will highlight key findings, ongoing initiatives, and opportunities to strengthen environmental stewardship and resilience across New Hanover County.
Be sure to arrive early to warm up with complimentary pancakes and coffee, plus the chance to meet our spring interns!

March 2026 Seminar - What's Happening with the GenX Exposure Study
2026-03-07 09:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
For our next installment in our seminar series, we will hear a much-anticipated update on the GenX Exposure Study from Dr. Jane Hoppin. Dr. Hoppin is a professor at N.C. State University and the principal investigator of the study. She will provide a summary of the study’s findings to-date and discuss future plans for the project. The GenX Exposure Study first began in 2017 to measure the blood levels of PFAS in Wilmington residents. Since that time, it has grown into a long-term health study with more than 1,000 participants throughout the Cape Fear River Basin.
Be sure to arrive early to secure a seat and warm up with complimentary pancakes and coffee, courtesy of our spring interns!

April First Saturday Seminar
2026-04-04 08:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
The state’s oldest history museum, founded in 1898, the Cape Fear Museum focuses on the history, science, and culture of the Lower Cape Fear region. Museum Director Kate Baillon will give us an exclusive preview of the state-of-the-art exhibits and experiences coming to the museum’s new Grace St. campus this summer, including a planetarium, education space, and much more.

Be sure to join us before the seminar at 8 a.m. to warm up with free coffee and pancakes!

Please note: our front door is currently out of use due to renovations, please follow the signs and use our side door for seminar entry!

May First Saturday Seminar
2026-05-02 08:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Join us for another wild installment in our monthly seminar series! Jeremy Bivins, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator based in Carolina Beach, will offer an inside look into the lives of our wild neighbors in the Lower Cape Fear. Jeremy will share tips and tricks on how you can best coexist with urban wildlife, including responsible feeding practices and what to do if you come across one that is orphaned or injured. Plus, Jeremy will debunk myths about some of our misunderstood “pest” species.

Saturday, May 2nd at 9:00 a.m.
CFRW Office (617 Surry St.)
Join us before the seminar at 8 a.m. to warm up with free coffee and pancakes!

Please note: our front door is currently out of use due to renovations, please follow the signs and use our side door for seminar entry!

June 2026 First Saturday Seminar
2026-06-06 09:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
We’re reaching the mid-year mark, and much has happened around the Cape Fear River Basin already. Let’s catch up! Our next seminar is a special one, as we hear an advocacy update from our Executive Director and Cape Fear Riverkeeper Kemp Burdette. Kemp will dive deeper into the advocacy campaigns you’ve seen us working on—from PFAS to the proposed port expansion and everything in-between—and share how you can take action, too.
🗓️: Saturday, June 6th at 9:00 a.m.
📍: CFRW Office (617 Surry St.)
🥞: Join us before the seminar at 8 a.m. to warm up with free coffee and pancakes, plus the chance to meet our new summer interns!
Please note: our front door is currently out of use due to ongoing renovations, follow the signs and use our side door for seminar entry.

August First Saturday Seminar
2026-08-01 09:00 - 10:30 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
David Ingram and Hillary Taylor will explore the natural hazards affecting Wilmington and discuss how the City’s Resilient Coastal Communities Program, funded by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, is identifying vulnerable people and critical assets, assessing risk, and developing solutions to build a more resilient community. Following the presentation, attendees will have an opportunity to provide input that will help prioritize resilience strategies.
About the speakers:
David is the Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Wilmington and brings over 15 years of experience in energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building design and operations, and recycling/zero waste programs. He is passionate about integrating sustainability best practices into City of Wilmington operations and actions. David has BS in Wildlife Biology from the University of Georgia, and is a LEED AP through the US Green Building Council. David brings his diverse background toward advancing the City toward becoming more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.
Hillary is an urban planner with the Community Planning and Urban Design team at the City of Wilmington, where she specializes in long-range planning initiatives that help shape more resilient, equitable, and people-centered communities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems for Urban and Regional Planners. Hillary is also a LEED AP Neighborhood Development professional and has certificates in landscape and ecological design.

September 2026 First Saturday Seminar
2026-09-05 09:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Community science is a huge part of our water quality monitoring here at CFRW, so we can’t wait to hear from CleanAIRE NC’s Community Science Manager Natalie Smith this weekend!
Natalie’s presentation will highlight the fundamentals of air quality monitoring and provide an overview of their AirKeeper Program. Through this program, community members serve as AirKeeper hosts, and CleanAIRE NC provides them with low-cost air sensors for real-time monitoring, right at home. By pairing local air quality data and your lived experience, you can empower your community with the tools to share their own stories and advocate for cleaner air.
Join us before the seminar at 8 a.m. for free coffee and pancakes courtesy of our fall interns!
