August First Saturday Seminar

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.

 

June 2026 First Saturday Seminar

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.

February First Saturday Seminar

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!