Protection Progress and Victories

Our most popular water quality monitoring program, Swim Guide, is in full swing! A team of staff and interns is sampling 60 sites each week for E. coli and sharing results on Fridays. Thanks to an in-kind donation from Xylem, we’ll be installing autonomous sensors on the South Fork that will collect water quality measurements every 15 minutes! We’ve installed another trash trap – this time in the Northern Basin. Now, we’re actively collecting litter from 3 sites in 3 different sub-basins. Sampling and advocacy work on industrial poultry operation waste and PFAS continues in partnership with Waterkeepers Carolina & Waterkeeper Alliance. Additionally, we’re continuing to investigate and advocate for water quality protection on numerous industrial and development projects.

Up Next: Soon we will be releasing the Northern Basin Prioritization Plan, which identifies potential restoration projects in the Northern Basin from the headwaters to Lake Norman.

Education Highlights

So far this year, Catawba Riverkeeper has educated 915 K-12 students! In total, we’ve provided 1,013 educational hours for these students through field trips, presentations, and special programs. We also hosted our first summer camp session and have two more coming up in July and August! Adults get to learn, too! Through the Riverkeeper Learning Series and programs like Rain Barrel Workshops, 370 adults have learned about a variety of topics related to our local environment.

Up Next: The CREEK Program, serving 500+ kids, kicks off this month! Through the CREEK Program, under-resourced kids get a chance to learn about their local waterways and experience the Catawba River through kayaking. This program is free to participants thanks to our 2022 sponsors – Crescent Communities.

More than 600 people have gotten on the water with Catawba Riverkeeper through kayak rentals, guided tours, and lessons! Through the recreation arm of Catawba Riverkeeper – now called Blue Heron Adventures  you can choose from a variety of experiences. Learn more about our recreation offerings and how booking with Blue Heron Adventures funds our mission to protect clean water.

Up Next: Don’t miss Full Moon Paddles, Swimming Hole Hikes, Eco-Tours, Thursday Evening Paddles, and the start of the South Fork Rapids Tours. Book now!

Today, we’re asking you to join, renew your membership, or invite a friend to become a member. About 40% of our funding comes from individuals like you. Without membership contributions we can’t continue to educate, engage, and protect. If you aren’t already a member, what are you waiting for? Join now! Members are eligible for discounts on our recreation programs, camps, and merchandise. Plus, members get exclusive updates and event invitations. If you need to renew your membership, we urge you to do so now at catawbariverkeeper.org/membership.

Not sure if you’re membership is current? Ask diana@catawbariverkeeper.org. If you’re already a member, we encourage you invite your friends and neighbors to become members, too.