Natural Beauty Remains Important in Durham

By a ratio of almost 4 to 1, Durham residents believe appearance should be a high community priority.  They will have an opportunity to prove it during the Fourth Annual Creek Week, scheduled for March 17-24, 2012.

This year’s week-long observance will provide dozens of opportunities for residents to discover and explore local streams and lakes through educational programs and recreational activities, and to do their part to protect waterways through volunteer projects.

According to Tania Dautlick, executive director of Keep Durham Beautiful, this week-long event is an opportunity to take care of Durham’s environment. “Creek Week is a fantastic way for Durham residents to discover local natural areas and make a difference through volunteer projects,” said Dautlick. “These activities illuminate the importance of protecting waterways for recreation and drinking water as well as show how we can all do our part to preserve a healthy natural environment for people, wildlife, and plant life.”

With the range of events offered, there is something sure to entice everyone in the family – even Fido. Residents can get outdoors and explore Durham’s hidden nature gems by canoe or kayak, or on foot via nature walks and hikes in beautiful locations including Duke Forest, Eno River State Park and Sandy Creek Park. Residents can bring their dogs to a Durham Dog Park and take the Canines for Clean Water Pledge to reduce pet waste.

Residents are also invited to learn about the Northeast/Crooked Creek Improvement Plan on Monday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the South Regional Library, located at 4505 S. Alston Ave., Durham. This event will feature information on the City of Durham’s plan to clean up Northeast Creek and Crooked Creek. This family-friendly event will offer food, games, hands-on demonstrations, crafts, and story time.

Other events planned for Creek Week will showcase birds and butterflies, films and nighttime stories, guided hikes and paddles, all providing something for everyone to enjoy. Several restaurants, including Bull City Burger and Brewery, Geer Street Garden, Pinhook, and The Bar, will offer Creek Week Specials for sale benefiting Keep Durham Beautiful, Inc.

Creek Week will also provide easy volunteer opportunities for residents and organizations to connect with several scheduled cleanup events at local creeks, marshes, streams and lakes throughout Durham. Last year, 250 volunteers picked up over 10,000 pounds of trash from Durham waterways. Volunteers can also help by labeling storm drains in their neighborhood.

Creek Week is a collaboration of City, state, and nonprofit organizations that manage, monitor, and protect area waterways including the City of Durham Neighborhood Improvement Services, Parks and Recreation, Stormwater Services Division with Public Works, and Water Management Departments along with Durham County Government, Durham County Library, Durham Soil & Water Conservation District, Ellerbe Creek Watershed, Eno River Association, Frog Hollow Outdoors, Keep Durham Beautiful, Haw River Assembly, New Hope Creek Corridor, North Carolina State Parks, and Northeast Creek Stream Watch.

For a detailed schedule of events, visit the Durham Creek Week website or contact Laura Webb Smith, public education coordinator for the Stormwater Services Division of the City’s Public Works Department, at (919) 560-4326, ext. 30235.