•ultimate•
summer
help keep our waterways
clean BY JAMES DUPREE
M
aintaining the Haw River, its tributaries and sister rivers is vital to keeping our waterways clean and sustainable. There are several ways to volunteer to help while learning about our natural environment. The Haw River Assembly has ongoing opportunities for individuals and groups to collect plastic pollution from trash traps or join a river watch monitoring team and learn how to document physical, chemical and biological changes to local waterways. Volunteer opportunities begin in June. Friends of Lower Haw River State Natural Area is always accepting volunteers for
PHOTO COURTESY OF HAW RIVER ASSEMBLY
duties including invasive plant removal, maintaining a pollinator garden, birdhouse monitoring and trash reduction at popular access points along the Haw River. The organization Clean Jordan Lake helps reduce litter along the Jordan Lake shoreline and nearby feeder streams. Volunteer opportunities do not require on-site assistance for groups smaller than 15.
72
CHATHAM MAGAZINE
SUMMER 2023