Annual Membership Meeting
2024-11-17 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
We are inviting everyone to come to the CFRW office at 617 Surry St. on Sunday, November 17th at 3 pm for our Annual Membership Meeting!

Join us as we present on the impacts CFRW has had on the Wilmington and greater Cape Fear River Basin community in the past year!!

If you’re not a member you can join here or at the meeting! It will also be the perfect time to renew your membership!

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

FREE Walking Eco Tour along Burnt Mill Creek!
2024-11-22 10:00 - 11:00 | 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401, 2101 Market St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Friday, November 22nd 10 to 11 a.m. Click here to register!
Cape Fear River Watch was awarded a three-year Environmental Enhancement Grant from the State’s office of the attorney general to help improve water quality, reduce litter, and engage the community in the Burnt Mill Creek Watershed. To learn more about Burnt Mill Creek and this ongoing project, join us for a leisurely, one-hour walking tour along Burnt Mill Creek!

Burnt Mill Creek is an urban waterway in the heart of Wilmington. During the walk, as we search for wildlife, you will learn about the ecosystem, environmental issues, and ongoing restoration work in Burnt Mill Creek. Burnt Mill Creek harbors a surprising amount of wildlife, including turtles, birds, crabs, fish, and more.

This tour is free and open to all ages. Donations will be accepted. Please consider bringing: sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), water, and comfortable walking shoes.

Please meet at the parking lot located at 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401 (next to Port City Java and Bridge Church).

GivingTuesday 2024
2024-12-03 00:00 - 23:30 | Online, NC, United States
Join Cape Fear River Watch in celebrating GivingTuesday! Our staff, board, interns, and volunteers have been hard at work all year long protecting our river, and we count on YOUR support to continue our efforts for years to come.
Show your support here!

December First Saturday Seminar
2024-12-07 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Saturday, December 7th at 617 Surry St. (the CFRW office). There will be free pancakes and coffee starting at 8am followed by the seminar at 9am.

This seminar will also include additional breakfast items for purchase from the Well-Fed Ed food truck from 8-10:30am!!

Title: A Well-Fed Education film showing and presentation on “The Benefits of a Plant Based Alkaline Diet in an Age of Raised Toxicity” by founder of Well-Fed Ed, Lucas McLawhorn.

Description: Come join us for a showing of A Well-Fed Education film and presentation from the founder of Well-Fed Ed, Lucas McLawhorn. This film, created by Kind of Cool Productions, tells the story of Lucas McLawhorn, a teacher, father, husband, coach, and musician. It’s a tale of awareness, mortality, fortitude, love, and hope, told in Lucas’s own poetic voice. We join Lucas on the Well-Fed Ed food truck as he pursues the dream of helping people live healthier, more fruitful lives. In the film, he shares his journey with disease and how it prompted him, his wife, and his children to move to Switzerland and then return to the U.S. to fulfill his mission.
Lucas will also briefly present on “The Benefits of a Plant Based Alkaline Diet in an Age of Raised Toxicity,” before the film showing.
Jesse Bradley, director and producer of the film A Well-Fed Education will participate in a Q&A session with Lucas following the film’s showing.

Lucas McLawhorn Bio: Lucas and his two brothers were raised on a farm in Pitt County, N.C., where they learned the value of hard work and eating whole foods. The farm produced cows, hogs, blueberries, and other produce. Lucas’s father is a fourth-generation farmer, and his mother is a gardener. His strong work ethic led to a scholarship, college, and becoming a teacher. He moved to Chapel Hill, started a band, and met his wife, Ingrid. Years later, Lucas and Ingrid lived and taught in Wilmington, N.C. They have two children (Tula and Enzo). Lucas was teaching and coaching basketball when he began having pain in his lower back. This pain persisted for months with no diagnosis from doctors. Ingrid was offered an opportunity to live in Switzerland. The family relocated and found a wonderful life in Switzerland, but his back pain persisted. Doctors in Switzerland discovered a cancerous mass. As Lucas recovered from the chemotherapy treatments, he started to learn how plant-based whole foods can heal disease. He began making lunch for the teachers at their school, catering, and creating recipes. Driven by a profound sense of purpose, Lucas and his family made the courageous decision to leave their com- fortable life in Switzerland. Their mission: to educate children and communities in North Carolina about the transformative power of nutrition.

Jesse Bradley Bio: Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Jesse has been producing documentary films and video stories since 2000. He has been recognized for his work winning a multitude of awards including three film festivals for Best Documentary and a regional Emmy nomination. His current film, A Well-Fed Education has screened at two film festivals and won the “Best Health & Nutrition” Award at the International Vegan Film Festival in Toronto.

FREE Walking Eco Tour along Burnt Mill Creek!
2024-12-13 10:00 - 11:00 | 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401, 2101 Market St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Friday, December 13th 10 to 11 a.m. Click here to register!
Cape Fear River Watch was awarded a three-year Environmental Enhancement Grant from the State’s office of the attorney general to help improve water quality, reduce litter, and engage the community in the Burnt Mill Creek Watershed. To learn more about Burnt Mill Creek and this ongoing project, join us for a leisurely, one-hour walking tour along Burnt Mill Creek!

Burnt Mill Creek is an urban waterway in the heart of Wilmington. During the walk, as we search for wildlife, you will learn about the ecosystem, environmental issues, and ongoing restoration work in Burnt Mill Creek. Burnt Mill Creek harbors a surprising amount of wildlife, including turtles, birds, crabs, fish, and more.

This tour is free and open to all ages. Donations will be accepted. Please consider bringing: sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), water, and comfortable walking shoes.

Please meet at the parking lot located at 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401 (next to Port City Java and Bridge Church).

January First Saturday Seminar
2025-01-04 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Registration is required – please register here!
Saturday, January 4th, 617 Surry St. (the CFRW office). There will be free pancakes and coffee starting at 8am followed by the seminar at 9am.

Title: Saving Sledge Forest

For our first seminar of 2025, Community Activist Kayne Darell and Director of the Coastal Plains Conservation Group Andy Wood will be joining us to present on Sledge Forest!

Description: Sledge Forest is a local natural treasure spread across over 4000 acres in Castle Hayne. Recognized as harboring some of the last, best examples of this ecoregion’s globally significant habitats and biodiversity, Sledge Forest is now threatened to be destroyed forever with the plan to build 4000+ homes for developer profit at public risk. Our goal is to save Sledge Forest from destruction and protect and preserve it in conservation. We believe the best and most beneficial use of this land is for it to be left as a natural area that supports wildlife, rich plant communities, corridor connectivity, reduces floodwaters, and maintains all of the ecosystem services of these wetland communities for the benefit of our community now and in perpetuity.

Kayne Darrell bio: Kayne moved to Castle Hayne, NC from Long Island, NY with my husband and two young boys in 1995. She has been an advocate, community activist, and grassroots organizer for several local environmental and social justice projects, while working to help promote more responsible, sustainable growth in New Hanover and surrounding counties. Kayne retired in 2018 from NHRMC after 21 years working in the emergency dept. as a radiographer. She is the co-founder of Save Sledge Forest, of S Solutions, Inc., StreetSafe Lifesaving Driving Program and founder of Citizens Against Titan.

Andy Wood bio: Andy is an author and award-winning conservation educator. He is a fourth-generation biologist and graduate of Texas A&M University where he studied wildlife management, natural resource conservation, and museum science. A lifelong educator, Andy joined the modern environmental movement with Earth Day 1970, helping organize and conduct stream cleanups, paper drives, and river monitoring. These formative experiences channeled his conservation career, which includes 12 years as Curator of Education for the North Carolina Aquariums, 11 years as a State Education Director for the National Audubon Society, and 28 years as a volunteer nature commentator for public radio station WHQR. A collection of his commentaries was published in his first book, Backyard Carolina (2006). Today, Andy volunteers as director for Coastal Plain Conservation Group (CPCG)—a non-profit environmental organization, based in Pender County, NC, working to protect biodiversity and prevent extinction of rare and imperiled plants and wildlife, with attention to the southeast NC ecoregion. In this role Andy has all but single-handedly prevented extinction of two species of freshwater snails, Magnificent Ramshorn (Planorbella magnifica) and Greenfield Ramshorn (Helisoma eucosmium).

You can find more info on Sledge Forest here.

January Second Saturday Cleanup 2025
2025-01-11 09:00 - 11:00 | 110 Greenfield St #100, Wilmington, NC 28401
Register Here!!

ALL VOLUNTEERS NOW MUST READ AND SIGN THE CFRW VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT VIA THIS GOOGLE FORM BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN A CLEANUP.
Cape Fear River Watch is excited to partner with Keep New Hanover Beautiful for our Second Saturday Cleanup on January 11th! The cleanup will take place in an area that drains directly into the Cape Fear River! We will be meeting on Greenfield St. Parking can be found at 110 Greenfield St. #100 Wilmington, NC 28401. Just look for the cleanup signs! The cleanup will take place from 9:00am-11:00am. Waders and waterproof boots are a great idea for this location as we will be working in the stormwater ditches as well as the adjacent wetlands. So please bring some if you have them! We will provide pickers, bags, safety vests, gloves, and a good time. As always remember to dress appropriately, bring sunscreen, and water. We hope to see you out there!

February First Saturday Seminar
2025-02-01 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Saturday, February 1st, 617 Surry St. (the CFRW office). There will be free pancakes and coffee starting at 8am followed by the seminar at 9am.
Title: The Importance of Native Plants for Birds
Description: Co-chair of the SE Coastal Chapter of the NC Native Plant Society Charley Winterbauer will present on the significant relationship between native plants and birds with an emphasis on the importance of planting natives.
Speaker bio: Charley Winterbauer is past president of the Cape Fear Audubon Society and co-chair of the SE Coastal Chapter of the NC Native Plant Society. Charley has lived most of his life in San Diego, California. He has a BS degree in Physics (Electronics) from San Diego State College in the 60s. His interest in nature began with camping trips to the nearby California desert where he would find the Kit Fox, BigHorn Sheep, Golden Eagles, coyotes, Cactus Wrens, Roadrunners, Phainopeplas, and his favorite, the Burrowing Owl. Many of his trips coincided with the blooming of the plants in the desert. He spent several years in the Washington DC area where he was a Congressional Liaison for the National Reconnaissance Office, part of the CIA, noting the “wildlife” occupying Capitol Hill. Now residing in Wilmington for the last 24 years, he has expanded his interest into native plants and their relationships with the environment and the necessity to have those natives to have a bird-friendly habitat. Of all of the crises we hear about in the world, the crisis regarding the decline of our migratory bird population is an issue we all can do something about. Charley, being involved with Audubon and the Native Plant Society is in the position to help educate folks on how to help our birds using native plants to make your yard into a bird-friendly habitat.
more info on Sledge Forest here.

BMC Special Events: Cleanup and Tree Planting
2025-02-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Multiple Locations
Register Here!!

ALL VOLUNTEERS NOW MUST READ AND SIGN THE CFRW VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT VIA THIS GOOGLE FORM BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN A CFRW EVENT.

Cape Fear River watch is hosting a tree planting and cleanup event in the Burnt Mill Creek watershed on Saturday, February 8th! During the registration you will be asked to select which event you will want to attend. These events have separate meeting locations so please make sure you arrive at the correct location for your event!

As always remember to dress appropriately and bring water. We hope to see you out there!

FREE Walking Ecotour along Burnt Mill Creek!
2025-02-28 10:00 - 11:00 | 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401, 2101 Market St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Friday, February 28 10 to 11 a.m. Click here to register!
Cape Fear River Watch was awarded a three-year Environmental Enhancement Grant from the State’s office of the attorney general to help improve water quality, reduce litter, and engage the community in the Burnt Mill Creek Watershed. To learn more about Burnt Mill Creek and this ongoing project, join us for a leisurely, one-hour walking tour along Burnt Mill Creek!\n
Burnt Mill Creek is an urban waterway in the heart of Wilmington. During the walk, as we search for wildlife, you will learn about the ecosystem, environmental issues, and ongoing restoration work in Burnt Mill Creek. Burnt Mill Creek harbors a surprising amount of wildlife, including turtles, birds, crabs, fish, and more.

This tour is free and open to all ages. Donations will be accepted. Please consider bringing: sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), water, and comfortable walking shoes.

Please meet at the parking lot located at 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401 (next to Port City Java and Bridge Church).

March First Saturday Seminar
2025-03-01 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Saturday, March 1st, 617 Surry St. (the CFRW office). There will be free pancakes and coffee starting at 8am followed by the seminar at 9am.
Title: Regenerative Agriculture as Community Resiliency
Description: Exploring the ways that growing food can foster healthy communities through improved ecological health and diversity, individual physical health, social connection, and resiliency in times of disaster.
Speaker bio: Elly Colwell serves as the Executive Director of Rise Up Community Farm. She first came to the Wilmington area in 2013 and has been involved in community agriculture since 2020. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from UNCW, studying English, French and Creative Writing. She is passionate about creating a more equitable community in Wilmington where all people have access to healthy foods and the resources to provide for themselves and their neighbors.

PFAS 101 Conversation with Dana Sargent and GenX Exposure Study Research Team
2025-03-01 10:00 - 12:00 | 620 Nixon St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Join us on Saturday, March 1st to learn more about PFAS and PFAS levels in the blood of our community members with the GenX Exposure Study research team. CFRW Executive Director Dana Sargent will be on the panel!

March Second Saturday Cleanup
2025-03-08 09:00 - 11:00 | 811 Martin St. Wilmington, NC 28401, 811 Martin St., Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401
Register Here!!

ALL VOLUNTEERS NOW MUST READ AND SIGN THE CFRW VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT VIA THIS GOOGLE FORM BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN A CLEANUP.
Cape Fear River Watch is excited to partner with Keep New Hanover Beautiful for our Second Saturday Cleanup on March 8th! 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. Please review the attached flyer when you register. 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 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!

Oyster Roast & Beer Pop-Up Event
2025-03-09 16:00 - 19:00 | The Alley, 1605 Queen St., Wilmington, NC, 28401
Register here!!!
We are hosting an Oyster & Beer Pop-Up THIS SUNDAY 4-7pm!
CFRW has kindly been gifted 1000 oysters raised with love by the UNCW Shellfish Hatchery at the Center for Marine Science!! Many thanks to them, and Crafted Outpost and The Alley for making this event possible.
Tickets are LIMITED, so reserve your spot at the oyster shucking table today!! Each $40 ticket gets you a baker’s dozen of oysters and 2 beers — donated by The Alley (in the Cargo District) and provided by Waterline! Live music by The Noseeums! Salita Pizza and some awesome shops located right in The Alley and courtyard will be open for shopping and dinner!
Location: The Alley, in the Cargo District, 1605 Queen St, Wilmington, NC

No 2025 March Paddle!
2025-03-15 | NC

FREE Burnt Mill Creek Eco & Bird Walk!
2025-03-17 09:00 - 10:30 | 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401, 2101 Market St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Register here!

Cape Fear River Watch and Cape Fear Bird Observatory are celebrating Cape Fear Creek Week by providing a free walking tour in Burnt Mill Creek!
Registration is required to secure a set of binoculars.
During the walk you will learn about the ecosystem, environmental issues, and ongoing restoration work in Burnt Mill Creek. As well as get a chance to see some of the 190 documented bird species in the Burnt Mill Creek watershed.
This tour is free and open to all ages. Donations will be accepted. Please consider bringing: sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), water and comfortable walking shoes.
Please meet at the parking lot located at 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401 (next to Port City Java and Bridge Church).

April First Saturday Seminar
2025-04-05 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Saturday, April 5th, 617 Surry St. (the CFRW office). There will be free pancakes and coffee starting at 8am followed by the seminar at 9am.

Title: Comprehensive Planning and the Wilmington Community

Description: The City of Wilmington’s Planning and Development Department will discuss the ways residents shape planning initiatives and their impact on local development and infrastructure. The community is a key stakeholder in determining ideals and goals for the future of growth and development in Wilmington. Planning initiatives such as the Wilmington Greater Downtown Plan (WGDP) have focused heavily on community needs and concerns to drive program and policy recommendations. These recommendations impact development regulations and program opportunities that can make a difference in the everyday lives of residents. This presentation will draw the lines between each step and highlight where residents can get involved.

Speaker bios: Travis Henley, AICP, CFM serves as Comprehensive Planning and Urban Design Manager for the City of Wilmington. Throughout his career, he has been committed to ensuring that broad recommendations developed from community engagement and planning processes are translated into direct, measurable action. Travis holds degrees in Political Science and Public Policy from James Madison University and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and is also currently serving as an Adjunct Professor at UNCW, teaching a Land Use Planning course in the MPA Program.

Hillary Taylor is a Long-Range Planner on the Comprehensive Planning and Urban Design team at the City of Wilmington. With prior work experience in the urban policy, climate change, and international development nexus, she is passionate about ensuring a sustainable and inclusive urban future for generations to come. She is proud to be a part of a City, a team and a community that shares her values and vision.

Haley Hopkins is a Long-Range Planner I on the Comprehensive Planning and Urban Design team at the City of Wilmington. With prior work in climate action research and comprehensive plan development, she is excited to contribute to community-driven, sustainable community development in Wilmington. Haley holds a degree in Sustainability Science from Furman University and certificates in qualitative research.

FREE Walking Ecotour along Burnt Mill Creek!
2025-04-11 10:00 - 11:00 | 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401, 2101 Market St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Register here!!!

Friday, April 11th 10 to 11 a.m.
Cape Fear River Watch was awarded a three-year Environmental Enhancement Grant from the State’s office of the attorney general to help improve water quality, reduce litter, and engage the community in the Burnt Mill Creek Watershed. To learn more about Burnt Mill Creek and this ongoing project, join us for a leisurely, one-hour walking tour along Burnt Mill Creek!

Burnt Mill Creek is an urban waterway in the heart of Wilmington. During the walk, as we search for wildlife, you will learn about the ecosystem, environmental issues, and ongoing restoration work in Burnt Mill Creek. Burnt Mill Creek harbors a surprising amount of wildlife, including turtles, birds, crabs, fish, and more.

This tour is free and open to all ages. Donations will be accepted. Please consider bringing: sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), water, and comfortable walking shoes.

Please meet at the parking lot located at 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401 (next to Port City Java and Bridge Church).

April Second Saturday Cleanup
2025-04-12 09:00 - 11:00 | 329-321 Bors Run, Wilmington, NC 28403
Register Here!!

ALL VOLUNTEERS NOW MUST READ AND SIGN THE CFRW VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT VIA THIS GOOGLE FORM BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN A CLEANUP.
Cape Fear River Watch is excited to partner with Keep New Hanover Beautiful for our Second Saturday Cleanup on April 12th! The cleanup will take place in the Burnt Mill Creek Watershed. The cleanup will take place from 9am-11am. Parking can be found along Metting Rd. across from the retention pond in the Avalon Apartments complex (see picture below). An address that will get you close is 329-321 Bors Run, Wilmington, NC 28403. Just look for the “Cleanup In Progress” signs! There will be a couple of spots where waterproof boots or waders are needed. If you have some please bring them with you! We will provide pickers, bags, gloves and safety vests. As always remember to dress appropriately and bring water. We hope to see you out there!

April Third Saturday Paddle
2025-04-19 08:30 - 15:30 | Hunt’s Bluff Wild Life Boat Ramp, 352 Hunts Bluff Rd, Kelly, NC, 28448, United States
Register here!!

Join us as we explore the Cape Fear River Basin by boat at our first paddle of 2025! This month we will do a 4-5 mile paddle on the Black River. Put in at Hunt’s Bluff and take out at Point Caswell on Estate Rd. Meet at the Put in at Hunt’s Bluff no later than 8:30 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, 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 CFRW 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.

Volunteer Appreciation Event
2025-04-24 17:30 - 19:30 | wrightsville beach brewery, 6021 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC, 28403
Register here!!

We thought of no better way to show appreciation for our wonderful volunteers than with beer and live music! Join us THIS Thursday, April 24th from 5:30-7:30pm at Wrightsville Beach Brewery’s beer garden (6201 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403).

If you’re a volunteer and plan on having a beer, make sure you register to receive a beer ticket! All are welcome! We look forward to getting to celebrate our wonderful volunteers.

FREE Walking Ecotour along Burnt Mill Creek!
2025-05-02 10:00 - 11:00 | 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401, 2101 Market St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Register here!!!

Friday, May 2nd 10 to 11 a.m.
Cape Fear River Watch was awarded a three-year Environmental Enhancement Grant from the State’s office of the attorney general to help improve water quality, reduce litter, and engage the community in the Burnt Mill Creek Watershed. To learn more about Burnt Mill Creek and this ongoing project, join us for a leisurely, one-hour walking tour along Burnt Mill Creek!

Burnt Mill Creek is an urban waterway in the heart of Wilmington. During the walk, as we search for wildlife, you will learn about the ecosystem, environmental issues, and ongoing restoration work in Burnt Mill Creek. Burnt Mill Creek harbors a surprising amount of wildlife, including turtles, birds, crabs, fish, and more.

This tour is free and open to all ages. Donations will be accepted. Please consider bringing: sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), water, and comfortable walking shoes.

Please meet at the parking lot located at 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401 (next to Port City Java and Bridge Church).

May First Saturday Seminar
2025-05-03 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Saturday, May 3rd, 617 Surry St. (the CFRW office). There will be free pancakes and coffee starting at 8am followed by the seminar at 9am.

Title: Forest and Peat Soil Restoration in the Angola Bay Game Lands

Description: This presentation will focus on the in-progress Forest and Peat Soil Restoration of the Angola Bay Game Lands and its effects. These include water quality and flood mitigation, improving forest biodiversity, restoring the much-reduced Atlantic White Cedar population, and absorbing and sequestering atmospheric carbon.

Speaker bio: Warren Darrell is an active volunteer with the North Carolina Coastal Reserve, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Ecologic Development Fund, Earthwatch, and the North Carolina Coastal Federation. He is a board member of Friends of the Coastal Reserve, and a registered professional engineer with master’s degrees in environmental engineering and environmental science. Warren travels the world studying climate change, and is an avid sea kayaker.

May Second Saturday Cleanup
2025-05-10 09:00 - 11:00 | 1301 Rankin St.
Register Here!!

ALL VOLUNTEERS NOW MUST READ AND SIGN THE CFRW VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT VIA THIS GOOGLE FORM BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN A CLEANUP.
Cape Fear River Watch is excited to partner with Keep New Hanover Beautiful for our Second Saturday Cleanup on May 10th! The cleanup will take place in the Burnt Mill Creek Watershed. We will be focusing our efforts on McCumbers Branch near Rankin St. The cleanup will take place from 9:00am-11:00am at 1301 Rankin St. Parking will be available in the large grass lot. Just look for the “Cleanup In Progress” signs! Waiters and/or waterproof boots will be ideal here – if you have those please bring them! 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!

FREE Burnt Mill Creek Eco & Bird Walk!
2025-05-16 09:00 - 10:30 | 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401, 2101 Market St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Register here!

Cape Fear River Watch and Cape Fear Bird Observatory are partnering to put on a free walking tour in Burnt Mill Creek!
Registration is required to secure a set of binoculars.
During the walk you will learn about the ecosystem, environmental issues, and ongoing restoration work in Burnt Mill Creek. As well as get a chance to see some of the 190 documented bird species in the Burnt Mill Creek watershed.
This tour is free and open to all ages. Donations will be accepted. Please consider bringing: sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), water and comfortable walking shoes.
Please meet at the parking lot located at 2101 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401 (next to Port City Java and Bridge Church).

Canceled - May Third Saturday Paddle
2025-05-17 08:30 - 15:30 | NC
The May 17th third Saturday paddle is cancelled. We know – we’re bummed too. Kemp has an important Waterkeeper Alliance meeting out of town, and fighting for clean water is our #1 priority. Paddling is close to the top but not quite #1. Looking forward to seeing you on the next one!

June First Saturday Seminar
2025-06-07 08:00 - 10:00 | Cape Fear River Watch Headquarters, 617 Surry Street, Wilmington, NC, 28405, United States
Saturday, June 7th, 617 Surry St. (the CFRW office). There will be free pancakes and coffee starting at 8am followed by the seminar at 9am.

Title: Quantifying Riverine Plastic Pollution using Participatory Science and Trash Traps

Description: From 2021 to 2024, North Carolina Waterkeeper organizations installed 21 floating traps in streams across the state to capture riverine trash. Over this time period, these traps have captured more than 150,000 pieces of trash, most of which are plastic. This talk explores the findings from this incredible dataset, the challenges and opportunities of using trash traps to capture and collect data on riverine litter, and policy solutions.

Speaker bio: Nancy Lauer is a lecturing fellow and staff scientist with the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic. Since joining Duke Law in 2018, Dr. Lauer has worked on a wide range of environmental policy matters including drinking water quality, children’s exposure to toxic chemicals, hazardous waste remediation, and single-use plastics. Recently, she has worked with non-profits, Riverkeepers, and the City of Durham on measures to reduce plastic pollution through stormwater controls and reduction policies. Dr. Lauer received her PhD in Earth and Ocean Sciences from the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment and her Bachelor of Science in Geology from the College of William and Mary.

June Second Saturday Cleanup
2025-06-14 09:00 - 11:00 | 1626 Lake Branch Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401
Register Here!!

ALL VOLUNTEERS NOW MUST READ AND SIGN THE CFRW VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT VIA THIS GOOGLE FORM BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN A CLEANUP.
Cape Fear River Watch is excited to partner with Keep New Hanover Beautiful for our Second Saturday Cleanup on June 14th! 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! We 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!

Storm Drain Marking
2025-06-20 12:00 - 13:30 | Mary Bridgers Park, 1925 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, 28405, United States
Register Here!!

ALL VOLUNTEERS NOW MUST READ AND SIGN THE CFRW VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT VIA THIS GOOGLE FORM BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN THE STORM DRAIN MARKING.
Join the Cape Fear River Watch for a storm drain marking event along Chestnut Street on Friday, June 20th from 12-1:30pm. This volunteer opportunity helps to educate the community about stormwater pollution. You will learn more about stormwater pollution and then help adhere metal markers to targeted storm drains in our community.
These markers let people know that anything that goes down that marked storm drain ends up in the Cape Fear River. This volunteer activity will take about 1.5 hours but will have a permanent and lasting impact on our community, as these markers help decrease pollutants entering our waterways.
Please bring sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), water and wear comfortable walking shoes. All needed materials for the storm drain marking will be provided.
If it rains within 24 hours of the event, we will need to reschedule, as the moisture can prevent the storm drain markers from properly adhering. If you are able, please also hold Tuesday, June 24th, and Thursday, June 26th from 12-1:30pm as backup dates in case we need to reschedule.
Please register for more details and to be notified of any date changes made due to inclement weather.

Cancelled - June Third Saturday Paddle
2025-06-21 08:30 - 14:30 | Archie Blue Community Park, 1601 Wynnwood St., Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Registration for the paddle will open closer to the event date. Stay tuned for details!

Join us as we explore the Cape Fear River Basin by boat! This month we will put in at 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 put in at Archie Blue Community Park at 8:30 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, 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 use a CFRW 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 CFRW 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.
