Cape Fear River Watch

Second Saturday Cleanup
2023-09-09 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Register here!

Cape Fear River Watch is excited to partner with Keep New Hanover Beautiful for our Second Saturday Cleanup on September 9th! The cleanup will take place in an area that flows into Greenfield Lake! We will be focusing our efforts on the railroad tracks that run behind the Good Shepherd Center. There is a strong possibility that the cleanup will intersect with our local unhoused community.The cleanup will take place from 9:00am-11:00am. We will be meeting at the intersection of 8th and Martin. An address that will get you close is 811 Martin St. Wilmington, NC 28401. Please do not park in the Good Shepherd parking lot. Just look for the CFRW cleanup signs! CFRW will provide pickers,bags,gloves, and safety vests. As always remember to dress appropriately and bring water. We hope to see you out there!

September First Saturday Seminar
2023-09-02 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Join us as Evan Buckland shares about birds and the Cape Fear Bird Observatory!
Pancakes at 8 am, seminar will start at 9 am!
Title & Description TBD
Speaker: Evangelyn (Evan) Buckland, Managing Director of Cape Fear Bird Observatory
Evan is a passionate local birder. She has a B.S. in Environmental Studies and an M.S in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She has worked for the National Park Service and Audubon North Carolina monitoring coastal species of concern and been a volunteer for several local and state agencies and non-profit organizations monitoring birds and doing educational outreach.
Won’t be able to make it? Our First Saturday Seminars are recorded and posted on our website & our YouTube for anyone to view.

August 2023 Paddle: Shelter Creek
2023-08-19 07:45 - 15:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Register here!
Join us as we continue to explore the Cape Fear River by boat! This month we will do a 6.5 mile paddle of Shelter Creek. Meet at the CFRW office at 617 Surry St. at 7:45 am OR at the put in location at 8:45 am. (the shelter creek boat ramp). Here is the take out location.
We encourage all paddlers to wear a PFD, and we require all paddlers using CFRW boats to wear one. Other items to remember include sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water, and snacks.
We have a limited number of boats available for rent for CFRW members ($25 per boat; includes PFD and paddle). If you would like to rent a boat please indicate such during your registration.
If you would like to join or renew before the paddle, you can click here to join or renew or call our office at 910-762-5606. To help River Watch continue to bring you great programs like our Paddle Series, Water Quality Programs, and Educational Seminars, we ask you make a $10 donation either online with your registration or by bringing cash or check to the paddle on Saturday. THANK YOU!
If you need help the day of please call Kemp at 910-264-8036. Conditions may change in the period leading up to the paddle. Please check your email the night before and the morning of the paddle to ensure that the paddle has not been cancelled.

Second Saturday Cleanup
2023-08-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Cape Fear River Watch is excited to partner with Keep New Hanover Beautiful for our Second Saturday Cleanup on August 12th! The cleanup will take place in an area that flows directly into the Cape Fear River! We will be focusing our efforts on the stormwater ditches along South Front Street. If you have waterproof boots it wouldn’t hurt to bring them. They will be helpful in the stormwater ditches and surrounding wetlands. The cleanup will take place from 9:00am-11:00am. We will be meeting at the parking lot near New Anthem Brewing. An address that will get you close is 110 Greenfield St #100, Wilmington, NC 28401. Just look for the CFRW cleanup signs! CFRW will provide pickers,bags,gloves, and safety vests. As always remember to dress appropriately and bring water. We hope to see you out there!
Register here

August First Saturday Seminar
2023-08-05 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Join us as our own CFRW Outreach & Engagement Manager, Seanna Jobe, discusses her master’s research she conducted at UNCW!
Pancakes at 8 am, seminar will start at 9 am!
Title: Bald Head Island Coyotes: How Predator Exclusion Cages, Which Protect Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nests, Act as a Visual Stimuli
Description: Loggerhead Sea Turtles are a species that are threatened on the IUCN red list and face many challenges such as; predation, coastal development, climate change, nesting obstructions, pollution, inundation by overwash, and poaching. On Bald Head Island, intense predation by coyotes became a very real threat in 2019 when over 100 hatchlings and 2,000 eggs were lost. After a research project on best predatory exclusion cage design was conducted, Seanna researched how these devices act as a visual attractant to coyotes on the island, and what that meant for sea turtle management in the future!
Speaker: Seanna Jobe, CFRW Outreach & Engagement Manager
Seanna grew up in Western New York and moved to Wilmington for graduate school in 2020. She received her bachelor’s in environmental biology from Houghton University, and her master’s in environmental studies from UNCW. While getting her masters, she did her research capstone on Predator Exclusion Cages as Visual Attractants to Canis latrans. This research was conducted on Bald Head Island, North Carolina, where she was able to collaborate with Bald Head Island Conservancy. Seanna has been fortunate to have many formative experiences with wildlife which have directly influenced her passions for management and conservation, and science communication!
Won’t be able to make it? Our First Saturday Seminars are recorded and posted on our website & our YouTube for anyone to view.

Greenfield Lake Eco Tour
2023-07-20 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-06-22 09:00 - 10:00 | Greenfield Lake Boathouse, 302 Willard St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Join us for a Greenfield Lake Walking Eco Tour!
Join us for a leisurely, 1-hour walking eco-tour of Greenfield Lake. Greenfield Lake is a cypress dome ecosystem in the heart of Wilmington. You will learn about the flora and fauna, environmental impacts, and best management practices of Greenfield Lake while your guide identifies plants and animals along the way! Greenfield Lake harbors a surprising amount of wildlife, including alligators, anhingas, yellow-bellied sliders, and several varieties of herons and egrets.
This tour is open to all ages! Please consider bringing: sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water, and comfortable walking shoes.
Please meet at the Greenfield Lake Boathouse. Parking is at 298 Park St., Wilmington, NC 28401. Once parked, walk towards the lake and you will see the boathouse on your right. Fee is $5.
Register here!

July 2023 Paddle: Sawpit Landing (Northeast Cape Fear River)
2023-07-15 07:30 - 14:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Register here!
Join the CFRW paddlers as we explore the Northeast Cape Fear River between Sawpit Landing (off White Stocking Road) and the Shaw Highway Wildlife ramp. This is a great section of river with a textbook example of an oxbow lake, several nice coves, and a few creeks to poke our heads into. The trip is 5-6 miles. We will meet at the CFRW headquarters at 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 at 7:30am OR the put-in at White Stocking Road here at 8:30am.
All paddlers should wear a PFD, however those paddlers using CFRW boats are required to wear a PFD. Other items to remember include sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water, snack and water shoes if you would like to explore the beaches where oyster shells are present.
If you need to rent a boat they are just $25 for the day if you are a CFRW Member. If you would like to rent a boat please indicate such during your registration.
If you would like to join or renew before the paddle, you can click here or call our office at 910-762-5606. To help River Watch continue to bring you great programs like our Paddle Series, Water Quality Programs, and Educational Seminars, we ask you make a $10 donation (in addition to $15 rental fee) either online with your registration or by bringing cash or check to the paddle on Saturday. THANK YOU!
If you need help the day of please call Kemp at 910-264-8036. Conditions may change in the period leading up to the paddle. Please check your email the night before and the morning of the paddle to ensure that the paddle has not been cancelled.

Spike N Serve Charity Spike Ball Tournament
2023-07-14 08:30 - 15:00 | Fort Fisher Recreation Area, 1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, 28449
Spike N Serve has graciously selected Cape Fear River Watch as their partner for this year’s charity spike ball tournament! All proceeds from the tournament will go to CFRW and those of all skill levels are welcome to register.
Details:
* Teams will be made up of two players
* Registration costs $10 per player
* T-shirts will be available for purchase with a ticket for $20, as well as individually for $15
* Teams can choose to play in either the Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced division
Check out @spikenserve on Instagram and email hilbertc22@students.ecu.edu with any questions about the tournament!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spike-n-serve-charity-tournament-registration-554792317757

Cleanup with CFRW and Easy Honey
2023-07-06 09:00 - 11:00 | 1626 Lake Branch Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401
Cape Fear River Watch is excited to partner with the Charleston based band “Easy Honey” on their “Summer Surf Tour”. During their 6 week long east coast tour, the band is partnering with local environmental nonprofits to organize cleanups. Be sure to check out their shows at The Palm Room on July 1st and July 4th!
We will be hosting our joint cleanup on July 6th from 9am-11am. We will be focusing our efforts on Squash Branch. Squash Branch is a tributary of Greenfield Lake which drains directly into the Cape Fear River. As most of you know, Squash Branch is notorious for accumulating large amounts of litter via stormwater runoff. This is currently the case and we will need all the help we can get to clean it up! This cleanup will have volunteers both on foot and in watercrafts. CFRW will be providing kayaks for folks to use but we have a limited supply. If you have your own kayak or canoe please feel free to bring it! Parking can be found along East Lake Shore Drive across from Lake Forest Baptist Church(1626 Lake Branch Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401). Please park on the side of the road and not in the church parking lot. Just look for the CFRW cleanup signs! CFRW will provide pickers,bags,gloves, and safety vests. As always remember to dress appropriately and bring water. We hope to see you out there!
Who: Cape Fear River Watch and Easy Honey
What: Squash Branch Cleanup
Where: Squash Branch(1626 Lake Branch Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401)
When: July 6th from 9am-11am
Why: Because litter in our waterways sucks
Registration Link: https://cfrw.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/cfrw/event.jsp?event=8592&

June 2023 Paddle: Keg Island & Shark Tooth Island
2023-06-17 07:30 - 14:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
ALL CFRW BOATS HAVE BEEN CLAIMED FOR THIS PADDLE.
Register here!
Join us as we continue to explore the Cape Fear River by boat! This month we will be paddling around Keg Island and Shark’s Tooth Island. This will be an out and back paddle so there will be no shuttle. We will be departing from River Road Park. You can either meet us at the CFRW office at 7:30 for a caravan to River Rd Park, or you can meet us there at 8:15am.
We encourage all paddlers to wear a PFD, and we require all paddlers using CFRW boats to wear one. Other items to remember include sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water, snack and water shoes if you would like to explore the beaches where oyster shells are present.
*Strong wind and foul weather can effect this paddle more than others due to its location. We will be monitoring the forecast and if predictions indicate that their will be strong winds we will likely cancel this paddle. If we cancel we will notify those who have signed up by email on Friday night or Saturday morning.
We have a limited number of boats available for rent for CFRW members ($25 per boat; includes PFD and paddle). If you would like to rent a boat please indicate such during your registration.
If you would like to join or renew before the paddle, you can click here to join or renew or call our office at 910-762-5606. To help River Watch continue to bring you great programs like our Paddle Series and Educational Seminars, we ask you make a $10 donation either online with your registration or by bringing cash or check to the paddle on Saturday. THANK YOU!
If you need help the day of please call Kemp at 910-264-8036. Conditions may change in the period leading up to the paddle. Please check your email the night before and the morning of the paddle to ensure that the paddle has not been cancelled.

Second Saturday Cleanup
2023-06-10 09:00 - 11:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Cape Fear River Watch is excited to partner with Keep New Hanover Beautiful for our Second Saturday Cleanup on June 10th! The cleanup will take place in an area that flows into Greenfield Lake! We will be focusing our efforts on the railroad tracks that run behind the Good Shepherd Center. There is a strong possibility that the cleanup will intersect with our local unhoused community.The cleanup will take place from 9:00am-11:00am. We will be meeting at the intersection of 8th and Martin. An address that will get you close is 811 Martin St. Please do not park in the Good Shepherd parking lot. Wilmington, NC 28401. Just look for the CFRW cleanup signs! CFRW will provide pickers,bags,gloves, and safety vests. As always remember to dress appropriately and bring water. We hope to see you out there!
Register HERE

2nd Annual State of the River
2023-06-01 08:00 - 15:30 | Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station, 502 N Front St, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Register here!
Following the success of our Inaugural State of the River Forum in 2022, we are thrilled to announce our 2nd Annual State of the River Forum! We will host regional experts to share insight on issues affecting the Cape Fear River basin. This is a huge networking opportunity for folks who care about the river – including you! Our agenda is below.
This is a free event for all, but we do encourage donations.
Vegetarian/vegan breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Agenda:
8:00-8:30 am- Doors Open and Breakfast
8:30-8:45 am- Welcome and Program Start by Cape Fear River Watch Executive Director, Dana Sargent
8:45-9:15 am- Opening Remarks by Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo
9:15-9:30 am- Introduction to the Cape Fear by Cape Fear Riverkeeper, Kemp Burdette
9:30-10:00 am- Hannah Nelson, Our Changing Harbor
10:10-10:40 am- Colleen Brown and Dr. Detlef Knappe, Long Term Water Quality Trends in the Cape Fear River Basin
10:40-11:00 am- BREAK
11:05-11:35 am- Dr. Fred Scharf, Ecology and migration of anadromous fishes in the Cape Fear River: contributions to population recovery of Atlantic sturgeon
11:40 am-12:00 pm- Kemp Burdette, Solutions to Pollution
12:00-1:00 pm- Lunch and Poster Session
1:00-1:15 pm- Kemp Burdette, CAFOs- in Brief
1:15-1:30 pm- Dana Sargent, PFAS- in Brief
1:35-2:05 pm- Film screening of “Burned” with introduction by filmmaker Elijah Yetter-Bowman
2:05-2:15 pm- BREAK and PFAS Panel Introduction
2:15-3:20 pm- PFAS Panel Discussion including panelists, Emily Sutton, Dr. Ralph Mead, Laura Leigh Bransford, and Benjamin Bobzien
3:20-3:30 pm- Closing Remarks by Roger Shew

We hope to see you there! Visit our website for more information!

Spring Eco Tour
2023-05-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Greenfield Lake Boathouse, 302 Willard St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States

Greenfield Lake Family Day
2023-05-20 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-04-15 09:00 - 10:00 | Greenfield Lake Boathouse, 302 Willard St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
This spring, we are partnering with Cape Fear Bird Observatory to co-host monthly, family-friendly, 1-hr long nature and birding walks. Our first walk will take place on Saturday, April 15th from 9-10am. This short walk is geared towards kids & families who are new to birding. No equipment needed – we will have a few pairs of binoculars to share! We will be meeting at the Greenfield Lake Boathouse (298 Park St.) and hope your family can join us! Free!

May 2023 Burnt Mill Creek to Smith Creek to NE Cape Fear to Cape Fear River
2023-05-20 07:30 - 14:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Join us as we continue to explore the Cape Fear River by boat! This month we will put in it Archie Blue Park and take out near downtown at Dram Tree Park. This is a really fun paddle that doesn’t take us far from town. Meet at the CFRW office at 617 Surry St. at 7:30 am OR at the put in at Archie Blue Community Park at 8:10 am.
We encourage all paddlers to wear a PFD, and we require all paddlers using CFRW boats to wear one. Other items to remember include sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water, snack and water shoes if you would like to explore the beaches where oyster shells are present.
We have a limited number of boats available for rent for CFRW members ($25 per boat; includes PFD and paddle). If you would like to rent a boat please indicate such during your registration.
If you would like to join or renew before the paddle, you can click here to join or renew or call our office at 910-762-5606. To help River Watch continue to bring you great programs like our Paddle Series, Water Quality Programs, and Educational Seminars, we ask you make a $10 donation either online with your registration or by bringing cash or check to the paddle on Saturday. THANK YOU!
If you need help the day of please call Kemp at 910-264-8036. Conditions may change in the period leading up to the paddle. Please check your email the night before and the morning of the paddle to ensure that the paddle has not been cancelled.
Register HERE

NCAFF & CFRW Cleanup (a 2023 Party for the Planet Event)
2023-05-13 09:00 - 11:00 | 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
CFRW is excited to partner with the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher for our monthly second Saturday cleanup. The cleanup will take place on May 13th from 9am-11am. We will be focusing our efforts on the Burnt Mill Creek Watershed by cleaning up McCombers Branch. This cleanup will be both aquatic and land based. If you have a kayak or are interested in using one of CFRW’s kayaks, after registering please email Rob at rob@cfrw.us. If you are interested in the land cleanup portion we recommend waterproof boots if you have them as a lot of the litter in the branch is only accessible via crossing the branch. We will have two separate meeting locations for this cleanup. Kayak volunteers please meet at: N 11th St, Wilmington, NC 28401. If you are doing the land based portion of the cleanup please meet at the intersection of N 13th St and Rankin St (34.241323, -77.933354). At either location look for the CFRW/NCAFF cleanup signs! We will provide pickers, bags, safety vests, gloves, and a good time. Yellow Truck Coffee Co. will be providing free coffee to cleanup volunteers and we will have Wake N Bake Donuts as well! Remember to dress appropriately (pants recommended) and bring sunscreen and water. We hope to see you there!
Map of the site
REGISTER HERE
The Party for the Planet®: Spring into Action campaign supports Association of Zoos and Aquarium members like the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher to “Spring into Action” by providing family-friendly volunteer and conservation action opportunities that improve our planet and encourage community partnership.

May First Saturday Seminar
2023-05-06 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Join us as our speaker Krissy Kasserman will talk about national animal agriculture policy and current important policy issues. Pancakes at 8 am, seminar will start at 9 am!
Won’t be able to make it? Our First Saturday Seminars are recorded and posted on our website & our YouTube for anyone to view.

Environmental Zine Fest
2023-05-05 16:00 - 19:00 | Waterline Brewing Co, 721 Surry St, Wilmington, 28401, United States
We are so proud of our Spring intern Sidney! She not only helped put on the Chemours roast in December 2022, but she is now planning an Environmental Zine Festival at Waterline Brewing!
Cape Fear River Watch is hosting a mini environmental Zine Fest at Waterline Brewing on May 5th! From 4 pm – 7 pm, we will be passing out zines about environmental issues produced exclusively for Cape Fear River Watch by small artists. Holly’s Typewriter Poetry will also be at the fest with a select number of free environmental poems. Come enjoy music, drinks, and some local art supporting the environment!

Bellamy Mansion Family Fun Day
2023-04-23 13:00 - 16:00 | Bellamy Mansion, 503 Market Street, Wilmington, 28401
Come see us at the Bellamy Mansion Family Fun Day!
“Family Fun Day is an annual FREE community event where visitors enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, storytelling, games, arts & crafts, live music and MORE!”

Wilmington Earth Day Festival
2023-04-22 12:00 - 18:00 | Longleaf Park, 314 Pine Grove Drive, Wilmington, 28409
Come see CFRW at the Earth Day Festival, April 22nd, at Long Leaf Park, 314 Pine Grove Dr, Wilmington, NC 28409. For more information visit https://www.wilmingtonearthday.com/

Spring Eco Tour
2023-04-18 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-03-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Greenfield Lake Boathouse, 302 Willard St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Join us for a Greenfield Lake Walking Eco Tour!
Join us for a leisurely, 1-hour walking eco-tour of Greenfield Lake. Greenfield Lake is a cypress dome ecosystem in the heart of Wilmington. You will learn about the flora and fauna, environmental impacts, and best management practices of Greenfield Lake while your guide identifies plants and animals along the way! Greenfield Lake harbors a surprising amount of wildlife, including alligators, anhingas, yellow-bellied sliders, and several varieties of herons and egrets.
This tour is open to all ages! Please consider bringing: sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water, and comfortable walking shoes.
Please meet at the Greenfield Lake Boathouse. Parking is at 298 Park St., Wilmington, NC 28401. Once parked, walk towards the lake and you will see the boathouse on your right. Fee is $5.

Mad Mole/CFRW Cleanup
2023-04-15 09:00 - 11:00
CFRW is excited to partner with Mad Mole and Keep New Hanover Beautiful for a “Pick Up and Pint Cleanup!” We will be focusing our efforts on a piece of land that drains into Bradley Creek. The cleanup will take place on April 15th from 9am-11am. We will be meeting at a parking lot at this address: 102 Autumn Hall Dr. Wilmington, NC 28403. Just look for the CFRW cleanup signs! We will provide pickers, bags, safety vests, gloves, and a good time. As always remember to dress appropriately, bring sunscreen, and water. After the cleanup we will all be heading over to Mad Mole(6309 Boathouse Rd unit c, Wilmington, NC 28403) where we can enjoy a hard earned beer brewed by their solar powered brewery! We hope to see you out there!
Click here to register!

April 2023 Paddle - Ivanhoe *Requires experience (Black River)
2023-04-15 07:30 - 15:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
This Paddle will be a little longer than past paddles. We’ll paddle about 7 1/2 miles of the upper reaches of the Black River from the WRC put-in near Ivanhoe, NC to Beatty’s Bridge. This is a more advanced paddle and is not recommended for beginners. There will be approximately 3 hours of paddling and some possible portages due to downed trees or blockages in the river. In addition to a beautiful blackwater river, expect snags, strainers, low water, parking that is not ideal, and a big hill at the takeout – this is not the paddle for first time paddlers.
Paddlers can meet at the Cape Fear River Watch headquarters where we will meet to caravan, or meet up with the caravan at the put in location. We will meet at CFRW headquarters at 7:30 am for an 8:00am departure. Those meeting us at the put in should be there by 8:30am. Click HERE for a map to the put in location! You can enter your address into “Box A” to get specific directions from your location to the put in!
All paddlers should wear a PFD, however those paddlers using CFRW boats are required to wear a PFD. Other items to remember include sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water, snack and water shoes if you would like to explore the beaches where oyster shells are present. You are welcome to bring your own kayak and supplies.
If you need to rent a boat they are just $25 for the day if you are a CFRW Member. If you would like to rent a boat please indicate such during your registration.
If you would like to join or renew before the paddle, you can click here to join online or call our office at 910-762-5606. To help River Watch continue to bring you great programs like our Paddle Series and Educational Seminars, we ask you make a $10 donation either online with your registration or by bringing cash or check to the paddle on Saturday. THANK YOU!
If you need help the day of please call Kemp at 910-264-8036. Conditions may change in the period leading up to the paddle. Please check your email the night before and the morning of the paddle to ensure that the paddle has not been cancelled.
REGISTER HERE

Second Saturday Cleanup
2023-04-08 09:00 - 11:00
CFRW will be partnering with Keep New Hanover Beautiful and hosting our monthly second Saturday cleanup. The cleanup will take place on April 8th, from 9-11am. We are going to focus our efforts on the Greenfield Lake Watershed by cleaning up Squash Branch. This area will require kayaks to clean so if you have your own kayak please feel free to bring it! I will also bring some from CFRW. Parking can be found along Lake Branch Dr. across from Lake Forest Baptist Church(1626 Lake Branch Dr.). Look for the CFRW cleanup signs! We will provide pickers, bags, safety vests, gloves, and a good time. The areas along the banks can get a bit mucky so if you have waterproof boots bring them! As always remember to dress appropriately, bring sunscreen, and water. We hope to see you out there!
Click here to register!

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.

March 2023 Paddle (4th Saturday) - Black River
2023-03-25 08:30 - 15:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
THIS PADDLE IS A UNIQUE 4TH SATURDAY PADDLE TO ACCOMODATE FOR THE MEDIC WILDERNESS COURSE THAT FALLS ON THE 3RD SATURDAY OF MARCH– ALL OTHER PADDLES WIL FALL ON THE USUAL 3RD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH.
Meet at the CFRW office at 617 Surry St. at 8:30 am
OR, at the put in at Hunt’s Bluff at 9:15 am.

After an easy 4-5 mile paddle we will take out near Point Caswell on Estate Road.
All paddlers should wear a PFD and those using CFRW boats are required to wear a PFD. Other items to consider bringing: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water, snack and water shoes.
Need a boat?

Boat rentals are for members only with a suggestion donation of: $25
Non-members are encourage to join today!
Boat rental choices offered during online registration are first-come, first-served and include single or tandem kayaks and canoes.
Once you receive your email confirmation, your boat has been confirmed and we will see you the day of the paddle.
Please be aware that this paddle will require shuttling, so you will be in a car with others. Please bring your mask if that would make you feel more comfortable, or arrange to shuttle with family or friends. If you have questions about this, please contact Kemp at kemp@cfrw.us or 910-264-8036.

Have a boat?

Please consider a donation of at least $10 during online registration or bring a check or cash with you on the day of the event.

If you need help the day of the paddle, please call Kemp at 910-264-8036.
Click here to learn more/ register

MEDIC SOLO Disaster+Travel+Wilderness First Aid Course
2023-03-18 07:00 - 2023-03-19 17:00
This is not a CFRW event! We are helping to promote. Cape Fear River Watch will receive 10% of the course proceeds.

Walkabout Outfitter &
MEDIC Solo Disaster + Wilderness Medicine School
are hosting a

Disaster+Travel+Wilderness First Aid certification course
on
March 18-19, 2023
in the Wilmington, NC area

LEARN HOW to SAVE LIFE and LIMB in a
-Wilderness area-rural area (not near a hospital)

-disaster site or
-travel anywhere

This is a great course for anyone who ventures outdoors, travels, or wants to help in case of an emergency during a disaster!

>> TIMING: These are a 2 day class. 8:00am to 7:00pm both days.

>> FEE: $245 (note: another organization in the region charges $350. You save $105 thanks in part to GOPC’s sponsorship of the class.)

WHY: Mired in a disaster zone, travel or rural area far from a hospital, or natural area miles from an access point … accidents, destructive weather, and terrorism happen, and all-too-often members of a group are not capable of dealing with the emergency. This leads to improper care of the patient, and endangers the entire group. Many recreational accidents are preventable, and improper care of trauma can compound even simple injuries. Very few first aid programs actually address the issues of providing emergency care in a setting where 911 is overwhelmed or not immediately reachable. In this course, classroom instruction and Q&A are interwoven with practical work and problem-solving exercises. Hands-on experience – a most powerful learning tool – during scenarios comprise ~50% of class. You come away with actual do-it-yourself care-giving confidence. Satisfaction guaranteed.
OVERVIEW:
-No prerequisites
-For adults and focused teens. Know your loved ones are safe wherever they are.
-Hands-on learn how to care for an injured / ill person during the critical minutes or hours before ambulance / hospital arrival
-Blend of classroom instruction & hands-on rescue scenario practice
-Approved by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Girl Scouts of the USA, American Camping Association (ACA), University of Virginia (100% reimbursement for certain academic employees), and more
-2-year SOLO WFA certification
-Counts as recertification for WFA, AWFA, WFR and wilderness part of W-EMT

TOPICS:-Beyond the ‘golden hour’: wilderness/remote travel/disaster-delayed EMS arrival injury challenges and long-term patient care
-Patient Assessment System: thorough patient examination, treatment, monitoring, safety, and documentation
-Orthopedic Injuries and Treatment: Sprains, Strains, Fractures, and Spinal Cord Management
-Circulatory System Form and Function: Heart, Blood, Blood Vessels, Lungs, Brain
-Soft Tissue Injuries and Wound Treatment: Contusions, Abrasions, Lacerations, Flap Avulsions, Amputation, Punctures, Impalements,
-Bites, Stings, Blisters, Burns, and Infections
-Environmental Injuries and Treatment: Cold, Heat, Dehydration and Wilderness Survival
-Medical Emergencies and Critical Care: Shock, Allergies, Shortness of Breath, Brain Problems, and Heart Problems
-Patient movement: spinal cord precautions and clearing; pre- and post-evacuation treatment
-International Travel: preparing & packing for safe travel, problem prevention before and during travel, and identification & treatment of many travel illnesses – presented in a special hand-out for those who indicate interest.
Instructor: Matthew Rosefsky, Geo Medic, Wilderness EMT, CERT, MRC, and SOLO Instructor-Trainer; or a top-notch, highly-qualified expert Matt personally trained.
Course INFO, ONLINE REGISTRATION, other locations & dates:
http://www.solowfa.com/
A fully completed registration and payment will reserve your spot in the class. Feel free to contact courses@solowfa.com with questions…
