
Friends of Bolin Creek and the UNC Institute for the Environment will host “Can We Heal Our Local Waterways?†a symposium and community exchange on the state and future of our local streams, on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the N.C. Botanical Garden.
The event, which will include a series of discussions led by experts as well as a children’s program, is meant to launch a community discussion about how Triangle residents can bring our waterways back to health. The symposium will focus on current water-quality problems and the actions needed to restore local creeks and streams.
“Water quality is critical for life, both for the natural ecosystem and for the growth and sustainability of our towns,†said Julie McClintock, president of Friends of Bolin Creek and organizer of the symposium.
A series of expert speakers from the State of North Carolina, Carrboro and Chapel Hill will talk about our streams and what we can do to protect them. Following the discussions, attendees will talk about how to move forward to protect and restore our waterways.
Meanwhile, Jenni Heartway, a teacher/environmental educator with Learn Outside will lead a children’s program exploring the world of streams in which children will visit the garden wetland, examine macroinvertebrates and create drawings and paintings.
In addition, Carrboro Citizen columnist Mary Parker Sonis will lead symposium attendees on a photo journey along Bolin Creek with images of the animals of the creek.
Following the programs, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with more than 15 local organizations making a difference for the environment, including OWASA, the Haw River Assembly and the Morgan Creek Valley Alliance.
The event is co-sponsored by the N.C. Botanical Garden and Chapel Hill 2020.
A detailed agenda and registration information is available online at bolincreek.org.
–Staff Reports