On October 12 our trash trap team suited up and cleaned out the trap. We found the normal leaf and limb debris as well as a large number of s tiny Styrofoam pieces. But, to our surprise there was also a tackle box with rubber worms and a lidless cooler. Best we could figure was … More Hurricane Isaias leaves debris in Walnut Creek trash trap
Native plant propagation is a way to restore ecological relationships, strengthen local seed systems, and cultivate resilient communities. This talk explores the art and science of growing native plants from seed, from the fundamentals of seed stratification and substrate selection to accessible, low-tech propagation methods that anyone can try at home or in their community. … More Sow What? Growing Native Plants from Seed, webinar with Tyler Neitzey, 7pm, Nov 5, 2026
SWC is partners with Wake Audubon’s ongoing project to conserve and support the natural heritage of a unique nature park in Fuquay Varina, the Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park. The NC Natural Heritage Progam lists portions of this site as 7 out of 10 for natural diversity, which is exceptional for a suburban/urban location. … More Please Join South Wake Conservationists and The Audubon Society for our second fall invasive removal this season at Carol H. Johnson Environmental Education Park, located at 301 Wagstaff Road, Fuquay-Varina, NC, October 14, 2026, 9:00 to 11:00am.
Southeast Raleigh Elementary 4th/5th Grade Rooftop Garden, 10/2/26 Unfortunately our fears came true, and the drought and heat of late summer prevented the survival of much of our fall crop of vegetables. However, we viewed this as a learning opportunity and devised a strategy for salvaging plants and making the best of the fall growing … More When faced with adversity we “Adapt and Improvise!”
It was a pleasant evening on the patio at Transfer Co in Raleigh, where SWC gathered around 35 local folks to see the spectacle of the chimney swifts roosting for the night in the short chimney immediately adjacent to the patio. It was the perfect viewing spot, and people grabbed a bite to eat and … More Dinner and a Show
Come early and enjoy a meal or snack and beverage ahead of time. Bring the whole family – all ages welcome! South Wake Conservationists will meet on the patio of the Transfer Co Food Hall in Raleigh, a recently-noted local roosting site, to witness the spectacle of migratory Chimney Swifts turning in for the night. … More Chimney Swift Watch Oct. 1
Despite threat of rain, 10 volunteers of The Audubon Society and South Wake Conservationists, along with 4 employees for the town of Fuquay-Varina, participated in an invasive removal at Carol H. Johnson Environmental Education Park in Fuquay-Varina. Fortunately, the 60-degree temperature was perfect to remove it. Our main mission was to remove Japanese Stilt Grass … More An Invasive Removal Is A Great Way To Spend the Fall Solstice this 9/23/26!
Despite the intense humidity and drought-hardened soil, volunteers tackled three major projects at Inwood Wildlife Gardens: building a hibernaculum, planting native species around “Brass Frog Pond,” and mulching the pollinator garden path. The ground was so tough that even the tractor’s bucket needed help from volunteers wielding pickaxes! By day’s end, we had installed 125 native … More What a day at Inwood Wildlife Garden!
After a few months and cleanouts, we have learned much about the trap and where it is located. It’s on a highly used trail that connects to the Raleigh Greenway. So, if it’s full, the park will hear about it. The problem is, it can go weeks empty, particularly during the drought, and then a … More Anatomy of a Trash Trap Clean out.
The Big Sweep event was on 9/5/26. As usual Big Sweep does a great job getting volunteers and organizing teams, with plenty of bags, vests and pickers. During Walnut Creek Center’s Mud Day festival volunteers from Carolina Wetlands removed over 222 pounds so all effforts were to areas around the Raleigh Greenway. The weather was … More Double Header at Walnut Creek Wetland Center! With two events within seven days SWC helped remove close to 800 pounds of trash with The Big Sweep on 9/5/26 and pulled approximately 2500 square feet of Japanese Hops on 9/13/26. Well done team!