Eno River Association’s Annual New Year’s Day Hike is being reimagined in this time of COVID-19. Take the survey.
As you know, Eno River State Park has been a refuge for many during the pandemic: the park has had more car and foot traffic than ever before! We want to ensure that the 700 or more Eno members and friends that would have otherwise hiked with us on January 1, 2021 are able to participate in this tradition in a different and safe way.
Association to support personal and
small group outdoor experiences
Due to safety concerns stemming from
the ongoing global pandemic, the Eno River Association is re-imaging several of
its popular in-person fall events and programs. While experts agree that
outdoor experiences are among the safest ways to recreate during the pandemic,
the Association will focus its efforts on small group and individual programs
that highlight the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Eno River
basin.
The music and camping event known as
JamborEno that takes place at the Association’s Confluence Natural Area in
Hillsborough has been cancelled, as well as the hands-on environmental
education event Stream-In at Eno River State Park. The Association will no
longer be co-hosting the Eno River Run; interested participants should check
the Bull City Running website for details and alternative programming.
Instead, the Association plans to
provide environmental education programs for individuals, small groups, and
families throughout the fall, and supplemental STEM educational programs for
local students and learning pods. Additionally, to offset the cancellation of
large group stewardship and trail workdays, the Association will be supporting
small group service projects for workplaces, families, and pandemic pods. Due
to a significant increase in traffic in parks and natural areas since the
beginning of the pandemic – up to 68% in some cases – trash and trail erosion
has increased. This small group stewardship series will help tackle the ongoing
strain on park resources and provide a safe way to give back and commune with
nature.
“Having access to safe, outdoor
activities has never been more essential to the health of our community. Since
the outbreak of the global pandemic, citizens have flocked to our parks for
recreation and respite in record numbers. Never has the need for open spaces
and safe, outdoor activities been more apparent.” commented Jessica Sheffield,
Executive Director of the Eno River Association.
On October 3, the Association will host
an education event at their Confluence Natural Area. The program will feature
some of the popular activities from their Eno River Field Station and iWalk the
Eno Summer Camp program and will support youth and adults of all ages. Attendance
will be limited, and participants will be required to sign-up for specific
timeslots.
To support the strain on school
districts, parents, and students, the Association’s education team has also
created a catalog of available programming ranging from hands-on STEM
activities to local history topics to cultural arts. Learning pods are
encouraged to use these resources, as well as online educational videos and
other self-serve content, to create physical or virtual field trips to the Eno
River this fall.
“Even in these tough times we are
finding ways to provide opportunities to be safely outdoors, have fun, and grow
the public’s knowledge and stewardship of natural resources,” adds Dave Cook,
Education Coordinator. “You have to know it to appreciate it, and
appreciate it to care for it. We want everyone to know and appreciate the
natural, cultural, and historic treasure that is the Eno, and from there grow
support for open spaces and clean water. The health and well-being of our
community depends on programs like ours, that inspire an environmental ethic.”
Funding from the Merck Foundation and
the placement of a Resiliency Fellow by the Conservation Trust of North
Carolina (AmeriCorps Program) is helping make these new programs possible. The
Association website will be updated with more information and links to register
closer to the events: www.enoriver.org. Individuals or companies that want to
learn more about service opportunities on Eno River trails this fall should
contact Tom Davis, Stewardship Coordinator, at tom@enoriver.org or 919-620-9099 x206. Those with
questions about the education program, may contact Dave Cook, Education
Coordinator, at dave@enoriver.org or 919-620-9099 x204.
Take Action to Protect Orange County Lands & Waters
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners are poised to vote on Lands Legacy Funding and the proposed Research Triangle Logistics Park (RTLP) development in September. Their decisions will result in either a strong, positive impact for both the Eno River and our community, or in a negative, lasting scar on both. Read the full statement here.
Next week, on September 1, it is critical that they fully fund the Lands Legacy program in the County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for years 2 and 3 of their budget. Please write to your Orange County Commissioner in support of this vote or email them all ocbocc@orangecountync.gov.
The second issue is the proposed Research Triangle Logistics Park (RTLP). While development is important to our region and our communities, it must be done in a way that fits with existing uses and preserves our natural assets. Please let the Orange County Board of County Commissioners know you want to hear them vote “NO” on September 15th to this RTLP proposal as it doesn’t yet offer the appropriate protections for the natural community and Orange County neighbors. More information, a petition, and a direct link to email your commissioners is included on the Save Hillsborough website.
Do you have a passion for sharing your knowledge of ecology and cultural history with others? Do you have a gift for connecting learners of all ages with the natural world?
Eno River Association Awarded Catalyst Fund Grant to Catapult Wildlife Corridor Conservation
Eastern Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina
The Eno River Association was awarded the highly competitive Catalyst Fund grant from The Network for Landscape Conservation to further coordinate the efforts of the Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation Group. From more than 100 applicants nationwide, 13 were awarded catalyst grants and the Association was the only North Carolina group to receive funding.
The Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation Group is a network of land trusts, conservation groups, educational institutions, local governments, and ecologists who have aligned to conserve the natural habitats and the connections between them in the Eno River and New Hope Creek watersheds to protect biodiversity and natural resources for current and future generations. Funding will be used to hire a coordinator and to solidify group governance structures. The funding will also enable the group to develop a strategic action plan to guide implementation of its existing landscape conservation plan. By leveraging the momentum generated by the completion of the plan, this new support will build critical capacity within the group to advance collective action around its vision to conserve landscape connectivity within the Eno-New Hope landscape. Read the full press release here.
A letter to our community…
Photo by Linda Yao
The centuries-deep cultural history in the Eno River basin is rich, and injustice, inequity, and racism are tragically foundational to much of that history. The most recent murders of two innocent Black men – George Floyd and Amaud Arbery- and a Black woman – Breonna Taylor- have opened centuries-old wounds of racism inflicted on the Black community. We see you, and we stand with you in the call for justice and equity.
The land conservation
movement is not separate from these acts of injustice. The initial concepts of land
conservation were exclusionary. Preservation and protection were done for the
benefit of white men of privilege. Too often, early conservation work
overlooked and marginalized the needs of communities of color and created an
unequal access to nature. We are committed to seeing that that is not the
legacy of conservation in the Eno River basin.
Conservation at its core is
the celebration of diversity; diversity of plants, diversity of animals,
diversity of landscapes, and diversity of cultures and people. To truly conserve
and protect the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Eno River
basin -our mission for the past 54 years- we must uplift the marginalized
stories and work to overcome the injustice that has been wrought on the Black
and Indigenous communities in the basin.
Are we successful in this
effort so far? Is our work reaching the marginalized communities along the Eno
as it runs thru Orange and Durham Counties? Are we engaging in meaningful
partnerships with low-income communities and communities of color? Are we
modeling equity and inclusivity in the way we work, and in our public-facing
programs? Humbly, we cannot answer yes to these questions. Not yet.
In 1966, the Eno River Association was founded by a group of inspired Durham citizen who were not afraid to speak up for something they knew was important, and we will not shy away from that calling now. In the tradition of our spirited founders, Eno will advocate for what we know is important- racial justice, equity, and inclusion.
The Eno River Association Board of Directors and Staff
Orange County Proposal to Slash Funding for Land Protection
Update September: Years 2 and 3 up for a vote by County Commissioners.
Read our latest statement. Please continue to let your local officials know how important these land conservation programs are in our community.
Update June 10: Commissioners protected conservation easement funding in this year’s budget.
Thank you all for your time, support, and effort to contact the Orange County board of commissioners last week. Your voices were heard, and last night in their budget meeting the commissioners protected the conservation easement funding in the coming budget!! A link to that video is below.
And, while they delayed the vote that could affect the lands legacy program, most commissioners stated they will NOT cut that funding when it comes up for vote in September!! This is good news.
Sample Talking Points
Here are some sample talking points you can use to craft your letter or remarks, but it is by no means comprehensive. The proposed changes will have long-term affects on social & environmental justice, climate change, and other issues that may reflect your passions and values as well.
– Proposed FY 2020-21 CIP amendments CIP-004, CIP-005, and CIP-006 affect the Lands Legacy and Conservation Easement Programs in Orange County, cutting all funding from these programs for the next three years.
– Since 2000 over $8 million in other funding–from grants and landowner donations–has been raised for land protection due to the Lands Legacy Program and Conservation Easement Program.
– Nearly 4,000 acres within Orange County have been protected through these programs; creating parks for underserved populations within our community, improving water quality for over 500,000 citizens, ensuring viable farmland into the future, ensuring climate change resiliency, and improving the overall health and wellbeing of Orange County residents.
– Investments in land protection today provide lasting, positive impacts on our community into the future. Proximity to parks and open space enhances the value of residential properties and produces increased tax revenues for communities. Open space captures precipitation, reduces stormwater management costs, and by protecting underground water sources, open space can reduce the cost of drinking water up to ten-fold. Improving access to public open space has the potential to increase levels of physical activity, and to have mental health benefits and reduce healthcare and other costs.
– Without the financial commitment of the County, land trusts would no longer be able to leverage grant funds to support land acquisition. In most cases, funding partners require matching resources, especially from municipal and county governments.
BOCC Virtual Budget Public Hearing June 4, 2020 Meeting – 7:00 p.m.
The Board of Commissioners is conducting a Virtual Budget Public Hearing on Thursday, June 4, 2020 where they will hear comment on proposed capital improvement plan amendments which impact three years of funding for land protection. These cuts over time have the potential to significantly reduce the amount of open spaces and harm clean water and conservation efforts for many years to come.
Eno River Association is asking members to participate in this meeting by providing public comment through either:
• Written submittals by email
• Speaking during the virtual meeting
Detailed directions for providing comment are in the document below. Your comment must be submitted by Thursday, June 4 at 3pm.
Members of the public will be able to view and listen to the meeting via live streaming video at http://www.orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).
NEW LAND PRESERVATION FUND IN ORANGE COUNTY
Eno River Association is pleased to announce
a transformational new instrument in the conservation and protection of lands
within the Eno River basin.
The Roberta and Herman Brown Land Preservation Fund provides resources to maintain and purchase land and easements in Orange County. This fund was established through a nearly $2 million bequest from the estate of Joyce Brown, daughter of Roberta & Herman.
“Orange County lands along the Eno River have and continue to be a high priority for our watershed protection plan. As these past years have seen incredible population growth in the County, it is essential that we continue to proactively preserve open spaces, protect wildlife corridors, and provide outdoor areas that all citizens can enjoy,” said Jessica Sheffield, Executive Director in a statement to its members.
Joyce Brown, 2012
A long-time advocate for the environment, Joyce Brown was elected to the Chapel Hill Town Council in 1989. During her 12-year tenure, Ms. Brown focused on environmental and energy conservation, as well as neighborhood preservation. Ms. Brown was also active with several environmental groups throughout her lifetime, including Eno River Association, the North Carolina Conservation Council, Sierra Club, Citizens Against Shearon Harris, among others. Ms. Brown had deep Orange County roots, and was a direct descendant of Matthew McCauley, one of the original land donors who helped create the University of North Carolina.
In 2012, Ms. Brown was honored as a
community treasure by the Chapel Hill Historical Society, and she reflected on her
hopes that “the community will be cognizant of environmental resources as they
plan for potential growth.” Her bequest will help carry on this dream:
preserving natural lands in Orange County, and ensuring those lands support the
needs of a growing community.
The timing of this gift coincides with the
opportunity to help the Eno River State Park complete its master plan, which
envisions an over 6,700-acre park. Currently the Park encompasses 4,500 acres
leaving over 2,000 to be acquired, much of it in Orange County where pressure
from developers can mean inflated property values. The Brown gift will help the
Association leverage funding from other sources for these purchases, as well as
close a large gap in protection between Duke Forest and the Association’s Confluence
Natural Area near the headwaters of the Eno River, also in Orange County.
“Joyce Brown’s generosity will have an impact on the river and the plants and animals that live there for generations to come. But lands in the Eno River basin are extremely desirable, and we will make great strides in completing the State Park Master Plan when many others combine their generosity with Ms. Brown’s. The Eno River runs through the lives of millions of people, and we know they will be inspired to join in the work to protect the river,” said Don Moffitt, board chair for the Eno River Association.
The Roberta & Herman Brown Land Preservation Fund will join the Margaret C. Nygard Acquisition Fund and the Allen Lloyd Fund for the Upper Eno as dedicated funding to help purchase and steward properties along the Eno River. Individuals who want to learn more about planned giving or opportunities to get involved should contact Director of Development, Emily Hill at 919-620-9099 or learn more here.
2020 Festival for the Eno Canceled
Photo by Caroline Cockrell, Festival for the Eno 2019
It is with deep sadness that we announce the cancellation of the 41st Festival for the Eno, scheduled for July 3 and 4, 2020. We do this following much thoughtful deliberation and in consultation with our many partners including the City of Durham, Orange and Durham Counties, NC State Parks, and many local participants, sponsors, artists, and friends. We waited as long as possible to make this decision, in hopes that we could present some scaled-down version of this beloved annual tradition this summer. Unfortunately, we can no longer see any feasible way to produce an event of this magnitude and complexity while ensuring the health and safety of everyone involved.
Due to the continued uncertainly about the future spread of the COVID virus, we do not plan to reschedule the 2020 Festival for the Eno.
We are heartbroken that we will not get to see everyone “on the Eno” this July, but hope to see you in smaller gatherings – on the trails and along the river banks in some of the over 7,400 acres of protected lands preserved through our efforts. We hope resume planning live events later this fall, and will incorporate as many elements of the EnoFest into these events as is practical. We look forward to seeing you at West Point City Park on Independence Day weekend 2021. In the meantime, we will continue to promote the nature, culture and history of the Eno River through virtual experiences, and self-guided activities – accessible online via Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and the Festival website.
The Festival for the Eno is our largest public event and our greatest opportunity to raise awareness & funds that protect the land & water quality of the Eno River. We need to raise $50,000 to offset the loss of the 2020 Festival and continue our advocacy, education, and awareness efforts for the Eno River basin. You can help by making a donation to our Festival Fund or purchasing an Eno River T-Shirt or Poster. More Festival merchandise coming soon!
