New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District

09/15/2021

We are excited about this project at Greenfield Lake!

🌱 Innovative solutions for complex issues 🌱

Working with NC State University, crews installed Floating Treatment Wetlands at Greenfield Lake to help reduce the nutrient overload and the algae blooms. The aquatic system uses vegetated floating mats to absorb the nutrients that flow into Greenfield Lake via stormwater runoff.

HOW IT WORKS --> As the plants on the Floating Wetlands grow, nutrients in the water are taken up by the plant roots and stored in the tissues. Periodic harvesting of the mature plants prevents the sequestered nutrients from re-entering the water when the plants die and decompose. Clean Water Management Trust Fund provided grant funding to purchase, install, and monitor the efficacy of the Floating Wetland and water quality.

#WatershedWednesday

09/10/2021

We had so much fun at pooch plunge!! Look at all these canines for clean water! We will be at Empie Park TOMORROW from 1-3 giving out goodie bags and bandanas, spreading awareness about #caninesforcleanwater , and taking beautiful pictures of your pups. Hope to see you all there!!

09/09/2021

Our Program Coordinator is at the Environmental Educators of North Carolina conference this weekend. Today she was trained as a facilitator for the new Don’t Waste It! workshop, and will soon be bringing this high quality programming on solid waste, recycling, and composting to our county. Stay tuned for more info!

Our Program Coordinator is at the Environmental Educators of North Carolina conference this weekend. Today she was trained as a facilitator for the new Don’t Waste It! workshop, and will soon be bringing this high quality programming on solid waste, recycling, and composting to our county. Stay tuned for more info!

09/08/2021

Make sure to clean up your dogs poop! In New Hanover County, fecal bacteria is one of the main contributors to non point source pollution in our water ways. Join Canines for Clean Water to make a difference in your watershed!

https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/public-services/stormwater/education-outreach/programs/canines-for-clean-water

Make sure to clean up your dogs poop! In New Hanover County, fecal bacteria is one of the main contributors to non point source pollution in our water ways. Join Canines for Clean Water to make a difference in your watershed!

https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/public-services/stormwater/education-outreach/programs/canines-for-clean-water

09/07/2021

Have you been wanting to purchase a rain barrel? We will have our monthly sale from 9am-4:30pm this Thursday 9/8, where you can purchase a 60 or 80 gallon barrel with cash or check. We hope to see you Thursday!!

09/03/2021

Do you have a four legged friend who loves water?? Canines for Clean Water will be tabling at Pooch Plunge on Wednesday 9/8 from 4-7pm. Can’t wait to see you there and have you sign the pledge to clean up after your pooch!! #caninesforcleanwater

https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/public-services/stormwater/education-outreach/programs/canines-for-clean-water

08/31/2021

Did you know that we have programs that can fully or partially cover the installation costs associated with projects that can benefit your home, yard, and the environment? Learn more in our monthly e-newsletter!

08/26/2021

Does your yard have flooding issues? Come buy a rain barrel Saturday from 7am-1pm at the farmers market at Tidal Creek Co-Op! We will be selling the 60 gallon for $90 and 80 gallon barrels for $110, cash or check. Hope to see you there!

08/25/2021

Drucilla “Dru” Harrison is NHSWCD’s Director and Community Conservationist! Dru says although she looks like a girly girl, she is originally from Mitchell County in the mountains and grew up constantly outside and using natural resources and learning about conservation daily. She has lived in Wilmington since she attended UNCW and graduated in Geology, being NHSWCD Conservation Intern as an undergrad. After graduation, Dru became the Program Coordinator and studied environmental education at Montreat College. Dru became Director soon after, and her involvement grew from there. She is a part of the District Employee Association, the Conservation Club and an environmental educator for them, the Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Coalition and was a founding member. She loves how her job as Director never looks the same everyday , and how she meets a wide variety of people with knowledge to share. She loves seeing the difference people and NHSWCD can do to make a difference in Wilmington!

08/23/2021

Lilly Triolo is NHSWCD current Conservation Intern! She’s a nature lover from Raleigh and a recent graduate from UNCW, receiving a BS in Environmental Science with a minor in Spanish. Throughout college Lilly was involved in many things including interning with NC Coastal Reserve as a Spanish Outreach Coordinator, being head of the Sustainability committee in Galloway hall, volunteering with beach clean ups and carnivorous plant pottings, being Chief of Marketing for Waveflow Incorporated- a Blue Economy Group through UNCW CIE, and being a recipient of the UNCW TGIF grant to revamp the UNCW Recycling Center. Lilly loves being able to help with educating others about how they can make a difference in taking care of the world, and learning new things about the environment and sustainability.

08/21/2021

This is Amy Renfranz, NHSWCD Program Coordinator! She coordinates the district’s education programs, manages the rain barrel program, and provides oversight of interns and volunteers. She is a nature nerd who lives for exploring and investigating the world around her – and sharing those experiences with others. Amy has a wide variety in experience from her career in environmental education with working many places including the Blue Ridge Parkway and was awarded the National Park Service at the Blue Ridge Parkway’s “Ranger of the Year”. She currently presides on the Executive Council of the Environmental Educators of NC, and is an NC Certified Environmental Educator, Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association for Interpretation, and a Certified Naturalist through the Yellowstone Institute. For nearly ten years, she wrote a wrote an award-winning, weekly syndicated newspaper column called “Dear Naturalist.” Amy is a graduate of Appalachian State University and NC State University, where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. She currently serves on the board of Keep New Hanover Beautiful as Treasurer and is the Secretary of the Wilmington Earth Day Alliance. She volunteers as a Creek Watcher for Cape Fear River Watch, and facilitates litter clean ups in her neighborhood.

08/19/2021

Throughout the next month, we are going to be highlighting NHSWCD’s staff! Haley Moccia is Soil & Water Conservation Specialist who’s originally from Bryson City but then moved to Pine Knolls Shores when she was 9. Haley received a BS in Environmental Science and minored in Digital Art from UNCW and is currently completing a MS in Environmental Science and MPA at UNCW. Throughout her life Haley has been involved with volunteering with the NC Coastal Fed, the Brad Sneeden Marine Science Academy, and partners with some amazing organizations that want to support the sustainability and longevity of New Hanover County and its natural resources. Haley loves that working for NHSWCD gives her the ability to educate residents and community members about practices they can implement to better the water quality of the streams, creeks, watersheds, and recreational water around them. She is able to meet with them and tell them about all the wonderful funding opportunities to help them achieve this goal of a better and healthier community.

08/16/2021

We were so excited to meet with the fantastic educators and administrators at Winter Park Elementary School this afternoon in support of the Garbage To Gardens project and the Coastal Compost Council. Did you know that last year Winter Park was able to keep over 10,000 pounds of “trash” from the landfill by converting it to compost?! Great job!!

We were so excited to meet with the fantastic educators and administrators at Winter Park Elementary School this afternoon in support of the Garbage To Gardens project and the Coastal Compost Council. Did you know that last year Winter Park was able to keep over 10,000 pounds of “trash” from the landfill by converting it to compost?! Great job!!

08/12/2021

08/11/2021

Our friends at the City of Wilmington are developing a Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan in order to guide the planning for parks, recreation programs and facilities in Wilmington over the next 10 years. Public input is critical in assuring that the final plans reflects the needs and desires or our citizens. Additional information can be found at https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/parks-recreation/parks-recreation-comprehensive-plan

Our friends at the City of Wilmington are developing a Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan in order to guide the planning for parks, recreation programs and facilities in Wilmington over the next 10 years. Public input is critical in assuring that the final plans reflects the needs and desires or our citizens. Additional information can be found at https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/parks-recreation/parks-recreation-comprehensive-plan

08/03/2021

It may just look like any old drain, but Turtle Campers know how connected our stormwater systems are to the health of our waterways and oceans. It’s been a pleasure to work with Sea Turtle Camp this summer!

07/31/2021

Sweet Stella’s Mom signed the pledge that she will always clean up after her pet! Did you know that pet waste contains harmful fecal bacteria that can wash into our waterways if it’s not picked up? Join Stella’s Mom in the effort to protect Wilmington’s health and environment by scooping the poop!

Sweet Stella’s Mom signed the pledge that she will always clean up after her pet! Did you know that pet waste contains harmful fecal bacteria that can wash into our waterways if it’s not picked up? Join Stella’s Mom in the effort to protect Wilmington’s health and environment by scooping the poop!

07/31/2021

This evening we are out representing Canines for Clean Water at the Garden Paw-ty! Come see us at Greenfield Lake and be sure to bring your 4-legged friends! More on the event here: https://facebook.com/events/s/paws-on-parade-the-official-do/525068725203685/.

07/31/2021

New NHC producer alert! We first met Michael Phipps of Wilmington Food Forest a few months ago when he purchased a rain barrel. Today, he and partner, Haley Heath, are selling their heirloom tomatoes at the Tidal Creek Farmers market. They use Korean Natural Farming regenerative techniques to grow 20 varieties of tomatoes on their .3 acre farm. Come meet them today!

…More highlights about local producers to come in the weeks ahead!

07/31/2021

We’re selling rain barrels today at the Wilmington Farmers Market at Tidal Creek Co-Op! Come see us…and the many New Hanover County producers!

07/28/2021

Bill Hart receives the Pelican Award, thermal pollution, and Garbage to Gardens are all features in this month's E-Newsletter. Stay informed of your local district happenings!

07/19/2021

New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District Rain Garden install

Learn more about our grant programs and watch a backyard transform into a gorgeous and functional rain garden in our new video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s27t0RXybwY

Water Quality Incentive Programs

07/13/2021

NACo 2021 - Cooperative Extension Stormwater Management Models

Check out this great new film by our friends at the N.C. Cooperative Extension - New Hanover County Center and Arboretum that features the stormwater management practices at their site. Better yet, go for a visit!

As a coastal community, and one prone to extreme weather like hurricanes and flooding events, stormwater runoff is a growing threat to the water quality of o...

07/08/2021

Steven is the new, proud owner of a 60-gallon rain barrel! He wants to use his barrel to control erosion in his yard and for watering during dry spells.

Want your own barrel? We will be selling them today at the NHC Government Center's South Entrance until 4:30 p.m. We can also set up a time that is convenient for you! For more information: https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/rain-barrels/

Steven is the new, proud owner of a 60-gallon rain barrel! He wants to use his barrel to control erosion in his yard and for watering during dry spells.

Want your own barrel? We will be selling them today at the NHC Government Center's South Entrance until 4:30 p.m. We can also set up a time that is convenient for you! For more information: https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/rain-barrels/

07/08/2021

Wish you were able to catch some of this rain and use it to water your yard during the next dry spell? Our monthly sale is happening right now at the NHC Government Center! We're set up just inside the South Entrance doors. For more information: https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/rain-barrels/ .

Can't make it today but still want to purchase a barrel? Email [email protected] and set up a time that is convenient for you!

Wish you were able to catch some of this rain and use it to water your yard during the next dry spell? Our monthly sale is happening right now at the NHC Government Center! We're set up just inside the South Entrance doors. For more information: https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/rain-barrels/ .

Can't make it today but still want to purchase a barrel? Email [email protected] and set up a time that is convenient for you!

07/06/2021

Check out this rain barrel set up! This video was shared with us by a homeowner who purchased several barrels this spring and summer. She is now fully watering her yard and garden with harvested rain water!

Want your own? We'll be selling them this Thursday at the NHC Government Center. Click for more info:
https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/rain-barrels/

06/25/2021

We will be selling rain barrels at the Farmer's Market tomorrow! Pick up your barrel for 25% below retail - $110 for 80 gallon, $90 for 60 gallon - and help your home garden grow!

Cash or check only. For more information on the barrels: https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/rain-barrels/

Wilmington Farmers Market at Tidal Creek
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tidal Creek Cooperative Food Market
5329 Oleander Dr.
Wilmington NC 28403

We will be selling rain barrels at the Farmer's Market tomorrow! Pick up your barrel for 25% below retail - $110 for 80 gallon, $90 for 60 gallon - and help your home garden grow!

Cash or check only. For more information on the barrels: https://soilwater.nhcgov.com/programs/rain-barrels/

Wilmington Farmers Market at Tidal Creek
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tidal Creek Cooperative Food Market
5329 Oleander Dr.
Wilmington NC 28403

06/25/2021

Upcoming contest information, how to schedule a Stormwater 101 presentation, and car washing are all featured in this month's e-newsletter! Read it here!

06/25/2021

What a blast!!

06/25/2021

Are you coming to Mud Day at The Children's Museum of Wilmington? We will see you there!