River Cleanup

My volunteering journey has began! 😊🎉

I am glad I volunteered today to clean Eno River in Durham, North Carolina.

This is my first time cleaning a river and it will not be the last time for sure. River Cleanups are crucial to protecting the waters, woodlands, and wildlife. Pollution can harm physical habitat, transport chemical pollutants, threaten aquatic life, and interfere with human uses of the river.

Eno River Park:

Eno River State Park—like its namesake—flows near urban areas of Durham and Orange counties with five scattered access areas, each just minutes from town amenities. The Eno River’s waters roll past mature forests, historic mill and home sites and river bluffs covered with flowering shrubs and across fords used by early settlers. The park offers nearly 30 miles of trails along a swift, shallow stream that’s popular with anglers, photographers and sightseers. Backcountry camping at individual sites and group campsites is available but all equipment must be carried in. Canoeing and kayaking are permitted but sometimes difficult due to shallow water. https://www.ncparks.gov/eno-river-state-park/home

It was 95 degrees today, a very hot day for river cleanup, however, a positive energy and a smile helped me beat the heat. I looked at the rest of the volunteers and said, “ Lets get dirty and sweat!”

I had a wonderful day! I met a wonderful river advocate. I learned a lot from him, I didn’t know that beaver population was eradicated from the state by 1897! Thank you Mr. Banks for the information.

In response to public demands, North Carolina introduced 29 beavers from Pennsylvania in 1939, released on what is now the Sandhills Game Land in the Piedmont, and their comeback began. Now at least half a million beavers call North Carolina home, according to estimates by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. https://www.carolinacountry.com/departments/departments/feature-story/living-with-beavers

I had a blast cleaning the river using the canoe. That was amazing! I can be a canoe river cleaner for the rest of my life! I don’t mind! I love it!

But, I was shocked and dismayed by the amount of rubbish in the river margins. I filled the trash bag with baseballs, I found 3 baseballs! Seriously, do people play basketball at the river?

I found plastic bags, a pair of flip flop, water bottles, beer cans, a t shirt, and other stuff.

And hi turtles, and beavers! Good to see you!

I had a lot to share with my kids. And…I just joined kayak classes! Here’s to a new adventure!