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News from Friends of Lower Haw (FLOHA)
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News from Friends of Lower Haw River State Natural Area

April 2023


       Stewardship, education, and advocacy for the Lower Haw River State Natural Area       
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
* Comments needed for 
Haw River Trail Study &
Chatham Park Amendments *
May 6 - Whack Attack!
June 24 - Whack Attack!
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Spring Happenings 
Thanks to FLOHA Board member Reuben Wilson and his team who participated in the Haw River Clean-up-a-Thon on March 18th! Working on the east side of US 64 river access, 11 volunteers picked up 8 bags of trash (3 of which were recycled), 2 tires, 40 feet of discarded metal cable, 20 feet of discarded highway right-of-way fence, and an old carpet. Special thanks goes to FLOHA Board member Daniel Cohen who hauled away the cable and fence to the county waste center. Photo by Reuben Wilson.
At the Spring Ag Fest on March 25, many folks stopped by our table to examine the local animal skulls we had on display, or to learn about the State Natural Area. Chatham County Trails Planner, Ben Rippe, was next door, collecting public comments on the proposed Haw River Trail. Pictured: L- R Gretchen Smith, Ben Rippe and Anne Geer.
Many thanks to the hardworking volunteers that turned out for our first Whack Attack Invasive Species Removal Day, held on April 2!  Next workday is May 6.



Can you hear that? FLOHA Board member Matt Spangler led an instructive "Birding by Ear" outing on April 1. Despite blustery weather, the group learned the songs and calls of common residents as well as some newly arrived migrants.
What Would YOU Like to See in a Haw River Trail?
What kinds of features would you like to see on a trail along the Haw River?
Chatham County Parks and Recreation is working with Triangle J Council of Governments and Alta Planning + Design to conduct a feasibility study for the Haw River Trail.

This study aims to develop a plan for the Haw River Trail (including hiking and paddle trails) in Chatham County, with input from local stakeholders and community members. This plan will help Chatham County identify strategic opportunities for protecting land along the Haw River and improving the care of current public lands and access along the river.

Upon completion of this planning process, trail development beyond existing public lands and easements will only be pursued in partnership with voluntary landowners.

Use this online map and online survey to share location-specific thoughts and ideas about trail development in Chatham County. Your map comments and survey responses will be recorded privately with the project team.

For more information and to stay up to date with the Haw River Trail feasibility study, individuals may visit: https://www.chathamcountync.gov/HawRiverTrailStudy or contact Ben Rippe, Chatham County Trails and Open Space Planner, at ben.rippe@chathamcountync.gov or 919-545-8553.
Comment on Chatham Park's Changing Plans
 
There will be a Community Meeting on Thursday, April 20th to discuss a proposed amendment to the North Village Small Area Plan. This is the area surrounding the State Natural Area and bordering the Haw River.

The meeting will be held at the Chatham Park Investors Office: 55 Grant Drive, Suite D, Pittsboro from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. 
This will be a “drop-in” meeting. The applicant will give several presentations and answer questions throughout the two-hour time block.

The current draft of the proposed amendment is available for viewing on the Town of Pittsboro's website under Small Area Plans or Current Planning at this link:
https://nc-pittsboro.civicplus.com/403/Small-Area-Plans. Please contact Molly Boyle, Planning Project Manager, with questions at mboyle@pittsboronc.gov or 919-542-2530.

Pages of interest related to the Haw River and Lower Haw River State Natural Area include:
Page 10 Fig. 1.3
Page 22 Fig. 2.2
Page 24 Fig. 2.3
Page 26 Fig. 2.4
Pages 45-46 Fig. 2.14
Page 53 Fig. 3.2
Page 56 Fig. 3.5
Page 69 Fig. 8.1
Pages 148-149 Tables 9.2 and 9.3
Spring Means - Time for Whack Attacks!

Our next Invasive Species Removal Workday will be on Saturday May 6, beginning at 9:30 am. If you can't make this one, we will be working again on June 24.

Invasive plant workdays are a great way to learn about invasive plants and removal techniques. We typically identify and remove non-native plants using clippers, pruners, saws, and other non-motorized hand tools. Bring your own loppers or hand pruners, work gloves, insect repellent, and water. Long pants, long sleeve shirt, and closed toe shoes are recommended.

Registration is required. Please signup at this link.

WHO: Volunteers 18 and older. Youth volunteers 12 to 17 can participate as well if accompanied by an adult.

WHERELower Haw River State Natural Area, Old Bynum Mill access.

WHEN: Saturday May 6, or June 24. 9:30 am to 12 pm

Questions: lowerhawevents@gmail.com

To register please fill out the following form.
Haw River Trail Bill Advances
Friends of Lower Haw is excited about two bills with bipartisan support that were introduced in the NC General Assembly to authorize the Haw River Trail as a State Trail. Authorization as a State Trail provides state-level status and recognition with more marketing clout, and directs State Parks to "support, promote, encourage, and facilitate" the state trail.

The first bill to be filed was SB 100, introduced by Senator Amy Galey of Alamance County and also sponsored by Senator Natalie Murdock of Chatham County. A companion bill HB 124 was filed one day later, introduced by Representatives Stephen Ross and Dennis Riddell of Alamance County and also sponsored by Representative Robert Reives of Chatham County. Both bills passed their respective chambers with unanimous approval. Although both bills are identical, HB 124 has been referred to the Senate for consideration. If HB 124 is approved by the Senate, then the bill goes to Governor Cooper for his signature. Read HB 124 at this
link.

Please thank these state legislators for supporting the Haw River Trail, a concept for over 80 miles of land and paddle trails from Haw River State Park to Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.


Pictured (L-R) taken after Senate committee meeting: Bill Holman with The Conservation Fund, Gretchen Smith with FLOHA, Senator Amy Galey, Brian Baker with Alamance County, and Bob Brueckner with Carolina Canoe Club.
FLOHA board member Leah Purvis captures spring's ephemeral beauty. Pictured top left: Maypops; top right: Wood Sorrel: bottom: Tree Catkins over water
Thank You! 
Friends of Lower Haw could not continue our education, stewardship, and advocacy efforts without the generous support of our members and partners. 

Donations may be made online at this link. Click the Donate button and make sure the “Purpose” indicates “Friends of Lower Haw River State Natural Area” so that your donation will be dedicated to our Friends group.
 
Donations may also be made by check payable to “Friends of Lower Haw River SNA” and mailed to: Friends of Lower Haw; PO Box 65; Bynum, NC 27228 
Cover photo - New leaves make for an impressionist view of the Haw. Many thanks to photographer Leah Purvis.

Enjoying Nature Through a Lens
Nature photographers share their 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 and Instagram.

Follow Us on Facebook & Instagram!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@lowerhawfriends). Check out our photos that inspire and inform!

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.

Annual Reports Available!
Friends of Lower Haw's Annual Reports are available on our website on the Publications page. Read about what we do and what we are accomplishing.

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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Friends of Lower Haw River State Natural Area · PO Box 65 · Bynum, NC 27228 · USA

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