For those looking to engage with their community and environment, Durham's upcoming Creek Week offers a chance to clean up waterways and learn about local conservation efforts. Running from next Saturday to March 22, the event is designed for volunteers of all ages to participate in activities like litter cleanups, nature walks, and paddle adventure.
According to a release on the City of Durham's website, the City of Durham Public Works Department Stormwater Division and Keep Durham Beautiful are hosting this annual effort to mobilize residents towards better care of Durham’s creeks, rivers, and lakes. Cleanups are a major focus, with organized efforts to remove trash and debris from local waterways. Additionally, at-home participants can engage with Creek Week Bingo and check out recommended reading materials to bolster their knowledge about water conservation.
Anchoring the week's programming is a series of educational events that underline simple, everyday ways to improve water quality in the area. "Durham Creek Week shows how small actions can lead to big changes for our waterways," said Tania Dautlick, executive director of Keep Durham Beautiful, in an interview featured on the City Durham's website. The impact of these collective small actions over the years is significant; since its inception in 2009, Durham Creek Week has drawn over 5,200 volunteers who have collected 223,500 pounds of litter.
For residents eager to take part, the Durham County General Services Department and the City’s Neighborhood Improvement Services Impact Team will facilitate the removal and recycling of collected litter. Details about the week's events and volunteer sign-ups can be found on the Durham Creek Week's website. For additional information, the public can reach out by phone at 919-560-4326, ext. 30235, or via email contact provided on the event's page.
