News from Friends of Lower Haw River State Natural Area
November 2020
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Sign Up for Whack a Weed Workday!
Our next Whack a Weed workday is scheduled for Thursday, November 12th from 9:00 to 11:00 am. We'll be planting native wildflower plugs from Mellow Marsh Farm. Sign up for the workday using this online registration form.
Friends of Lower Haw (FLOHA) is partnering with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) on volunteer workdays to give our new pollinator meadow garden some much needed attention, such as weeding, removing invasive plants, and planting more native wildflowers. The meadow garden, created last fall, is located next to the US 15-501 parking lot by the Haw River. Madison Ohmen, Conservation Coordinator with NCWF, is co-coordinating the effort with FLOHA's Gretchen Smith. We are excited to be partnering with NCWF on this project because of their Butterfly Highway, Garden for Wildlife, and Certified Wildlife Habitat programs. Kim Hawks with the Chatham News + Record was at our first workday on September 11th to do a story on the project and the collaboration between our two organizations. Read the article here.
So far we've had five workdays pulling up lespedeza, multiflora rose, sweet autumn clematis, and an over-abundance of ragweed and tickseed, and spreading more native seeds and planting some lovely native plants donated by Dianne Ford and Ken Moore from their own gardens.
Photo left: Alpha Zeta volunteers from NC State University
Photo right: volunteers spreading native seeds
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Enjoying Nature Through a Lens
During this time of COVID-19 precautions, Friends of Lower Haw is continuing to suspend group outings. Meanwhile, enjoy time by the Haw River on your own or with family! As with previous issues, we're sharing wonderful photos taken in the Lower Haw River State Natural Area. To see more nature photos in past issues of our newsletter, check out the Publications page on our website. You can also find nature photos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
We are thankful for...
Our wildlife cameras are back in action! We determined our cameras were malfunctioning due to flood damage and had to replace them. We are now getting more fun photos of wildlife that visit the Lower Haw River State Natural Area. We've also relocated one of the cameras to a new location and can't wait to see what we get from what we hope will be a great spot for wildlife.
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Opt Outside on Black Friday
#OptOutside is an initiative started by REI five years ago to encourage people to get outside and enjoy nature instead of spending time indoors shopping on "Black Friday", the day after Thanksgiving. State Parks is offering activities to opt outside on November 27th. Find events being offered at State Parks here. Photo by Patrick Mueller at the Haw River.
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Updated NC State Parks Modified Phase 3
State Parks has published its phased reopening plan for units of the park system. Please check their website for updates. Lower Haw River State Natural Area has remained open. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area trails and facilities reopening plan for Modified Phase 3:
Modified Phase 3: Visitor Center is open. Some campgrounds open by advance reservation only, Robeson Creek canoe access and boat ramp open, New Hope Overlook boat ramp and hiking trail open, Seaforth boat ramp open, Vista Point boat ramp open. The following facilities remain closed during Modified Phase 3: all swim beaches, Ebenezer boat ramp and day-use area, Seaforth day-use area, Parkers Creek day-use area, and White Oak.
State Parks has the following recommendations for all visitors:
To ensure health and safety, park visitors should follow the “Three W’s” as outlined by the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services – wear a mask or cloth face covering; wait in line at least six feet away from others, and wash hands frequently. Visitors should also follow local health orders, maintain social distancing, bring hand sanitizer and reusable water bottles, avoid high-risk activities that could lead to calling first responders who are needed elsewhere during the pandemic, and practice Leave No Trace principles.
Friends of Lower Haw would like to thank State Park employees for their dedicated service during these challenging times!
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Talkin' Turkey
Leah Purvis captured this image of Turkey Tail Mushrooms by the Haw River. They get their name from their resemblance to...a turkey's tail! But no, they don't taste like turkey, or chicken for that matter.
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Reflections on the Haw
This year has been like no other in my lifetime. The coronavirus pandemic has brought fear, frustration, and folly. But it has also brought us a new appreciation for the outdoors and connecting with nature, and the realization that we need more outdoor places for people to visit. It has brought us heroes - the brave health care workers, first responders, nonprofit staff and volunteers, and public servants who have soldiered on to take care of us and our communities during this war being waged on us by a tiny virus we can't see. Thanksgiving is a time for reflection on what we're grateful for, and before the pandemic it was a time to gather together with family and friends. Large gatherings aren't advisable for this year's Thanksgiving, but getting outside in nature is still a good way to lower stress levels and improve mental health. Take some time this Thanksgiving to reflect on what you can be grateful for this year, and stay safe.
- Gretchen Smith, President
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Follow Us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram (@lowerhawfriends) and Twitter (@LowerHawFriends). Check out our photos that inspire and inform!
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Connect with Nature Through iNaturalist!
Post your observations from the Lower Haw River State Natural Area on iNaturalist, a popular nature app for sharing biodiversity observations online. Record your observations, get help identifying plants and animals, and network with a community of scientists and naturalists. Anyone with a smartphone or computer can use iNaturalist to share observations. Check out how to get started here.
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2019 Annual Report Available Online!
Friends of Lower Haw 2019 Annual Report is available online at our website on our Publications page. Read about what we've accomplished in 2019. Annual Reports for prior years are also available on our website.
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Watch 60-second Video About the Lower Haw River SNA!
See spectacular scenery in our 60-second video about the Lower Haw River State Natural Area and the Lower Haw Trails Plan. Produced by Destination by Design, it was funded by a grant from Triangle Community Foundations' Support for Places Awareness Program. Want to see more? We also have a 5-minute video with interviews! Watch both videos at www.lowerhaw.org
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We Have a New Logo!
Check out our new logo! Board member Anne Geer created the design, along with donated in-kind Adobe Illustrator assistance from Anne Kachergis of Kachergis Book Design in Pittsboro. A big thank you to both for our new logo!
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