Announcing CWEP’s Fourth Annual Regional Creek Week!

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(March 16th-23rd, 2024)  

The Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP) is excited to announce the fourth annual CWEP Regional Creek Week, a week celebrating the streams and rivers that sustain and connect us. Clean water is key to the health of our communities and ecosystems.  

During the CWEP Regional Creek Week, we engage residents of communities across central and eastern North Carolina to connect with nearby waterways and the critters that depend on them. This effort was inspired by communities like the City of Durham, which has held successful Creek Week events since 2009, removing over 160,000 pounds of trash from waterways around the city in partnership with several non-profit organizations.  

This year, CWEP will hold a regional event that can be completed from anywhere in the region. We’ll be opening the CWEP Wandering Water Map on March 16th to encourage exploration of local bodies of water. People from around the state can participate and showcase their local waterways. To join, visit our Wandering Water Map webpage and read our submission criteria. Then go visit a body of water near you, take a photo, and upload it. All participants will be entered into a raffle to win one of three rain gauges! 

A wide variety of other in-person & virtual events are being hosted by partner local governments around the region and state. Details and registration info can be found on CWEP’s website. From litter clean ups to rain garden workshops to birding, there is something for everyone this Creek Week!   

Water connects us all, and we hope to see you out there.

How to Wash your Car Sustainably This Fall

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Fall is coming — and with it falling leaves which might deposit debris on your car. This is all in addition to the regular kinds of dirt which accumulate over time. We all want to keep our vehicles clean, and the temperate fall weather might make it the right time to seize the moment and clean the car.  But when cleaning your car this fall, make sure to keep in mind the various impacts that even a simple car wash can have on the environment.

The first thing is that washing your car at home uses a lot of water. According to the EPA, the typical home car wash uses 116 gallons of water. Not only is this a lot of water — it means a larger water bill too! And if you happen to wash your car on your driveway or any other impermeable surface, it’ll most likely make its way to a storm drain and eventually into our water supply.

This might not seem like an issue, but soaps with phosphates can pose a huge problem if they’re caught in runoff. If enough of these nutrients runoff into our lakes and streams, the algae in the water can begin to grow out of control in an algal bloom. These blooms sap the water of its dissolved oxygen and reduce the ability of other aquatic life to survive. Moreover, they diminish the beauty of our waterways and make them unsuitable for recreation and enjoyment.

Fortunately, there are plenty of sustainable options to choose from when we have to wash our cars. The most sustainable choice is going to a carwash. Car washes have infrastructure which allows them to both recycle used water and keep pollutants out of our water supply. They tend to have new technology that can ensure a more sustainable operation, and overall this is recommended as the best choice for washing your car in an environmentally-safe way.


However, if you would rather wash your car at home, there are plenty of options to make sure you keep the water clean. Consider a biodegradable, phosphate free soap to reduce the risk of water pollution and algal blooms down the line. And try using less soap too – you might find that a little bit of soap can go a long way. Hose nozzles that turn the water off when not being used are great ways to keep your water usage down – they could reduce your water usage by up to 70 gallons. And washing your car on a permeable surface like your yard allows the water to be filtered by the soil. Impermeable surfaces like concrete allow water to runoff and move pollutants into waterways, and avoiding washing your car on them can make a big difference.

Stay safe this fall and enjoy your clean ride in sustainable style! And if you want to read more about sustainable car washing, check out the links below.

5 things I’ve learned as an AmeriCorps Stormwater Education Coordinator

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I am helping create a future generation of water guardians, and that is something to be proud of!

Taylor Weddington, AmeriCorps 23′

1. The World of Stormwater

    This role has exposed me to a vast array of knowledge about stormwater that most people don’t get the opportunity to learn about. From different types of pollution to infrastructure terms, and strategies for reducing stormwater runoff, I have gained a deep understanding of the importance of mitigating the effects of stormwater and how to communicate these concepts to diverse audiences.

    2. North Carolina Geography

    Although I am from North Carolina, I knew little about the smaller towns that CWEP is partnered with. It’s been an adventure traveling all over the central and eastern part of the state to meet with community members and get to know the area. From Leland in the south to Roxboro in the north and everywhere in between, there is a lot of exploring to do and many amazing people to meet!

    3. Coordination Skills

    As a newcomer to coordination, I have navigated how to manage multiple events with partners and community organizations across different timelines. I quickly learned that effective communication and organization are key when planning meetings and events.

    4. The importance of asking questions

    Starting a new position involves a lot of on-the-job learning, and asking questions is the best way to gain a deeper understanding of the work. CWEP has a culture of mentorship, and I have been fortunate to learn from subject matter experts and leaders in the environment and resilience field. Learning more about their roles and how they achieve their own goals at work has given me knowledge that I will use throughout my professional life.

    5. Cultivating curiosity

    As someone who works with younger students who haven’t had much exposure to water processes yet, it is a special privilege to introduce new concepts about a resource that is often taken for granted. By connecting students with nature and helping to cultivate healthy relationships with water, I am helping create a future generation of water guardians, and that is something to be proud of!

    My AmeriCorps term will be ending in July and I am looking forward to what the future holds! If you are interested in becoming the next Stormwater Education Coordinator for CWEP, learn more by clicking the link below.

    Apply Here

    Tips for keeping water clean this spring!

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    Spring is a great time to start thinking about how you can help improve your local water quality. With the spring rains coming, water can pick up pollutants along the way and ultimately end up in our streams, rivers, and lakes. Here are some tips specific to the spring season that you can do to help improve local water quality:

    Don’t over-fertilize your lawn: Spring is a common time to fertilize your lawn, but it’s important not to overdo it. Excess fertilizer can run off into nearby waterways and cause harmful algal blooms.

    Check for leaks: Spring is a good time to check for leaks in and around your home. For example, indoor and outdoor faucets and household appliances are culprits of leaking. Leaks can contribute to water waste and can also result in excess runoff.

    Plant native species: Consider planting native species in your garden this spring. Native plants are adapted to local conditions and require less watering, which means less stormwater runoff. They also provide habitats for local wildlife and help maintain the quality of our waterways.

    Here are a few of our favorites:

    Black-Eyed Susan: This cheerful yellow flower blooms in late spring and can thrive in a variety of soil types. It’s a great choice for adding color to your garden and providing food for pollinators.

    Wild Bergamot: This herb, also known as bee balm, has beautiful purple-pink flowers that attract bees and butterflies. It also has a lovely minty aroma and can be used to make tea.

    Muhly Grass: A native plant in the southeastern United States known for its showy pink to purple flowers that bloom in the fall. It is a low-maintenance ornamental grass that is commonly used in landscaping and is drought tolerant once established.

    Black Eyed Susan
    Wild Bergamont
    Muhly Grass

    By following these simple tips, you can help protect your local waterways this spring and contribute to a healthier environment for everyone.

    CWEP Creek Week 2023 is a wrap!

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    Dear partners and community members,

    We want to express our heartfelt thanks for your outstanding contributions to the CWEP Regional Creek Week. Thanks to your efforts, Creek Week 23′ was an overwhelming success, with a total of 97 events organized across 16 towns and counties, bringing together more than 2,500 participants.

    Your dedication to the cause of water quality stewardship was evident in the incredible results of the event. We were thrilled to see that over 23,500 pounds of trash were collected (around 20,000lbs was collected from Durham Creek Week) and more than 700 drains were marked during the week. These impressive numbers are a testament to the hard work and commitment of all involved.

    We are incredibly grateful for the time and energy that each and every one of you dedicated to making the CWEP Regional Creek Week a success. Your passion for the environment and the health of our waterways is truly inspiring and serves as an example to others in our community.

    Once again, thank you for your participation in this year’s event. Your contributions have made a positive impact on our region’s water quality, and we look forward to next year’s Creek Week to continue this important work.

    Sincerely,

    The CWEP Team

    Get Ready for Creek Week 2023!

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    CWEP partners have been meeting and planning this year’s Creek Week diligently for months, and now the time is almost upon us. This year is going to be CWEP’s biggest Creek Week yet with events going on across the region including storm drain markings, litter cleanups, library activities, hikes, paddles, workshops, educational lecture series, and more. You can find something to participate in that is happening near you by looking at the list of events on the Creek Week Webpage.

    Find Creek Week Events

    Do you want to participate, but are looking for something that you can do on your own? Look no further than the GSI Oh My Scavenger Hunt! This virtual scavenger hunt will be held on social media through Instagram and Facebook.

    How to play:

    •Read our posts on social media and our GSI webpage to learn more about Green Stormwater Infrastructure and its relationship with our waterways and community.

    •Go explore and find an example of GSI, snap a picture and post on Instagram or Facebook!

    •Tag cwep_nc on Instagram or NC Clean Water Education Partnership on Facebook to be entered in a prize drawing that will be held on the 21st and 25th. Feel free to also tag your local government.

    •There will be a total of 3 winners. There can be a maximum of 3 entries per person to be entered in the prize drawing, but feel free to post as many pictures of GSI as you would like.

    •If your account is not PUBLIC, please direct message your picture.

    •Pictures submitted will be saved and added to a GSI photo album on our website!

    Need more information on Green Stormwater Infrastructure to help you on your search? Check out this Green Stormwater Infrastructure Website to see examples.

    Learn more about “GSI!”
    Learn more about these Green Stormwater Infrastructure examples on our GSI webpage!

    Request for Proposals – Winter 2022 Digital Advertising: Clean Water Education Partnership Sediment Pollution Campaign

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    Responses Due by 5:00 p.m. on November 4, 2022

    Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG) is soliciting proposals from media agencies to provide digital advertising services for the Clean Water Education Partnership’s December 2022 – January 2023 Sediment Pollution public education campaign.

    The Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP) is a cooperative effort between local governments to protect North Carolina’s waterways from stormwater pollution through public education and outreach about stormwater pollution impacts and solutions. CWEP is administered by Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG) and is governed by a Steering Committee of representatives from each of the 43 local government partners. TJCOG’s CWEP program is seeking a qualified firm to conduct digital advertising between December 2022 and January 2023 across all CWEP local government jurisdictions listed below.

    Apex | Benson | Butner | Carrboro | Cary | Chapel Hill | Chatham County | Clayton | Creedmoor | Durham | Durham County | Fayetteville | Fuquay-Varina | Garner | Goldsboro | Havelock | Hillsborough | Holly Springs | Hope Mills | Johnston County | Kinston | Knightdale | Leland | Morrisville | Nash County | Nashville | New Bern | Orange County | Oxford | Pittsboro | Raleigh | Rocky Mount | Rolesville | Roxboro | Siler City | Smithfield | Spring Lake | Tarboro | Wake Forest | Wayne County | Wendell | Zebulon

    The 2023 digital advertising campaign is intended to educate the public about how they can decrease sediment pollution in stormwater runoff. The applicant must be able to distribute digital advertising in the participating local government jurisdictions mentioned above between December 2022 and January 2023. After the campaign finishes, the selected applicant is also expected to submit to TJCOG a final report that clearly summarizes campaign results, including impressions, clicks to website, etc.

    All questions related to this RFP are to be submitted in writing no later than October 19th, 2022 to mcough-schulze@tjcog.org.

    Request for Proposals

    Introducing Taylor Weddington

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    Nice to meet you! My name is Taylor Weddington and I am an AmeriCorps service member serving as the Stormwater Education Coordinator for the Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP). I recently relocated to Raleigh from my hometown of Wilmington, NC and I am excited to start my journey with TJCOG in the beautiful Triangle Area.

    This past May, I graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and a concentration in conservation. Throughout my studies, I learned about the complexity of environmental issues and how important equitable access to environmental services and education are to the wellbeing of our communities. I first became involved in environmental outreach through an internship with the North Carolina Division of Water Resources, where I focused on creating digital outreach materials for watershed restoration grants. This experience opened my eyes to water management projects in North Carolina and to the abundance of organizations working together to improve water quality.

    To accelerate my knowledge of water restoration, I studied Water Resource Management and Sustainable Practices at the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola in Cusco, Peru this past summer. Comparing the environmental issues and strategies used in Peru and in North Carolina was intriguing and left me with valuable insight.  Although many issues stem from very different and complex sources, I noticed the solutions used in both places had an element of education and direct involvement with communities to instill behavior change. By giving current and future generations knowledge to enhance water quality and mitigate environmental issues, they are given the power to protect and advocate for what is important to them. This is a vital strategy to promote resiliency for all people around the world.

    I am thankful that I will be part of CWEPs effort to ensure more people throughout partner communities are being exposed to direct and meaningful stormwater education, and to be part of a program that gives North Carolinians the tools to remain resilient.

    Learn about amazing amphibians this spring!

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    Amphibians spend part of their lives on land and part in the water, which means they are essential for both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Juvenile amphibians cycle nutrients in aquatic environments by consuming plant matter and small invertebrates. Adults provide natural pest control and are important food sources for larger critters as well. Learn about some of the #amazingamphibians native to North Carolina on CWEP’s social media:

    NC CWEP
    @cwep_nc
    @CWEP_NC

    Did you know that many amphibians breathe through their skin? (Imagine if you could do that!) This makes amphibians more sensitive to changes in their environment than many other animals, so scientists can use changes in amphibian populations to assess environmental impacts. This is just one of many reasons we want to keep stormwater clean. Stormwater washes anything on the ground into our waterways, where it can affect amphibians and other critters.

    If you want to learn to identify amphibians (and other animals, plus plants and fungi), try using the free iNaturalist mobile app! Just take a photo, and iNaturalist will identify the organism in front of you, and geo-tag the location for other app users to identify. You can even upload sound recordings, and fellow naturalists can identify the species for you! For a step-by-step guide to iNaturalist, click here or see below.

    Check out wildlife observed in your area in the Explore tab!
    Keep track of all your observations in the Me tab!
    Join ongoing wildlife surveys near you in the More tab, whererver you are!
    Take a photo, upload a photo, record sounds, or enter sightings manually in the Observe tab!
    You can add multiple photos, adjust location & oter settings as desired. Click view suggestions to see ID
    iNaturalist will come up with a species ID! Once shared, other naturalists can suggest IDs as well!

    Happy exploring, and remember to keep stormwater clean for the critters downstream!

    Get outside!

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    Warm spring and summer days are fast approaching! Here at CWEP, we can’t wait to get back out in the waterways across our beautiful state. Clean water is fun for everyone! Check out CWEP’s interactive map to find and visit waterways near you.

    Whatever it is you love to do, we hope to see you out there!

    There are lots of fun ways to engage with our waterways!

    • Greenways are great for walking, jogging, and biking.
    • Your town may have dedicated mountain biking trails, which can be fun for the whole family! Check out your town website or the Mountain Bike Project for more info.
    • County Parks may offer kayak or canoe rentals, which is a great way to see aquatic wildlife up close.
    • If you’re interested in birding, apps like MerlinBirdID or iNaturalist can help you identify birds by photo or sound recording.
    • For more information on boating access, visit the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website.
    • Ranger programs at County and State Parks can help you connect with your local history and wildlife!

    Check the town or park website for information on parking, fees, operating hours, and any additional info you may need. Fishing often requires a license or permit. Please check and adhere to any posted rules and practice safe recreation behavior!

    If your favorite park is missing from our map, let us know on the Get Outside page!