Livable Raleigh

Earth Day 2024
2024-04-19 17:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27603
You’re invited to Raleigh Earth Day in partnership with We Plant it Forward’s Arbor Day!
Join us for this FREE community event to grow our collective community purpose toward the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. Explore earth-conscious vendors and organizations while enjoying live music, games, and activities for all ages. We will be showing a family-friendly movie to conclude the event.

LEARN about what the City of Raleigh, We Plant it Forward and other community partners are doing to create a more sustainable Raleigh. Take action by pledging to volunteer, plant a tree, and make personal changes to support the environment.
LEARN about what the City of Raleigh and Community Partners are doing to create a more sustainable Raleigh. Raleigh, and TAKE ACTION on Raleigh’s Community Climate Action Plan
TAKE ACTION and pledge to volunteer and make personal changes to support the environment.
CELEBRATE the Raleigh Environmental Award Winners taking climate action across the community.
WATCH the movie The Lorax

More details, vendor information, and event schedule can be found at Celebrate Earth Day 2024 and on the Dix Park website.

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Workshop
2024-04-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson St, Raleigh, NC, 27610
Join us for a volunteer Stream Monitoring Workshop!

Upcoming Workshop
We host stream monitoring workshops throughout the year where you learn how to monitor stream health and water quality in Raleigh. Space is usually limited to 15 participants.
Workshop Details
When: Saturday, April 20 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Walnut Creek Wetland Park (950 Peterson St, Raleigh, NC 27610)
Register for the upcoming stream monitoring workshop!
The workshop will cover basic stream ecology and includes both classroom and (weather permitting) in-stream activities. The workshop will cover stormwater basics, an introduction to water quality, and practice collecting water quality and biological samples in the stream.
The workshop is a prerequisite for participation in Raleigh’s volunteer stream monitoring program, but is open to all. Please come with closed-toed shoes and long pants.

RELATED LINKS

Environmental Advisory Board
2024-05-09 16:00 - 17:30, 2024-06-13 16:00 - 17:30 | Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
The Environmental Advisory Board gives the City Council advice on matters related to environmental quality and promotes environmental protection standards and policies to the public.

Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network - Session 1
2024-06-01 11:00 - 14:00 | Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson St, Raleigh, NC, 27610
The Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network (WCWLN) will occur each Saturday for seven weeks to educate residents about community issues related to Walnut Creek in Raleigh. Sign up for a session today!
Key themes include:

Watershed Management
Environmental justice and advocacy
Green infrastructure
Community Science and engagement

Benefits:

$400 stipend after completing a session
Environmental toolkit
Skills to create meaningful change in your community
Mentorship

Schedule

Session
Date
Theme

Module 1
6/1/2024
Intro & Orientation (in-person)

Module 2
6/8/2024
Watersheds & Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) 101 (online)

Module 3
6/15/2024
GSI Interactive Experience (in-person)

Module 4
6/22/2024
Carbon Footprint and Sustainability (online)

Module 5
6/29/2024
Interactive Sustainability Experience (in-person0

Module 6
7/6/2024
Community Science & Engagement (online)

Module 7
7/13/2024
Closing & Graduation (in-person)

Environmental Advisory Board Meeting
2024-07-11 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-09-12 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-10-10 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-11-14 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-02-13 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-03-13 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-05-08 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-06-12 16:00 - 18:00 and 2 more dates | Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States

Environmental Advisory Board Meeting - cancelled
2024-08-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States

Wake County Hazard Mitigation Public Meeting
2024-08-21 18:00 - 20:00 | NC
Wake County Hazard Mitigation Public Meeting
The Wake County Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies, assesses, and mitigates hazard risk to better protect the people and property from the effects of natural and human-caused hazards. They are updating and strengthening the plan to make our community safer and better prepared for emergencies.
Join the virtual public meeting to learn more about the project’s goals and timelines, and share your thoughts on potential risks and hazards.
Public Meeting Details

When: Wednesday, August 21 at 6:00 pm
Register: wake.gov/hmpupdate

Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network - Session 2
2024-08-24 10:00 - 14:00 | Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson St, Raleigh, NC, 27610
The Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network (WCWLN) will occur each Saturday for seven weeks to educate residents about community issues related to Walnut Creek in Raleigh. Sign up for a session today!
Key themes include:

Watershed Management
Environmental justice and advocacy
Green infrastructure
Community Science and engagement

Benefits:

$400 stipend after completing a session
Environmental toolkit
Skills to create meaningful change in your community
Mentorship

Pop-Up Stream Cleanup
2024-09-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Appollo Heights Park, 756 Lunar Dr, Raleigh, NC, 27610
Help Us Clean a Stream!
Join Stormwater staff for a pop-up stream cleanup! Help us clean up a section of Walnut Creek on Saturday September 28th. We’ll meet at Apollo Heights Park (check-in at the picnic shelter). Please come ready to get a little wet and muddy; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required. All other materials will be provided.
Space is limited to 35 volunteers. All minor children must be accompanied by an adult. Register to volunteer!

Rain Garden and Rain Barrels Workshop
2024-10-19 14:30 - 16:00 | Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson St, Raleigh, NC, 27610
oin Our Workshop!
Join Raleigh Stormwater staff in an interactive training workshop about rain gardens and rain barrels! The workshop will include introductions to Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI), key design guidance for rain gardens and barrels, and information on how to plan your own!
Register to attend the workshop!

Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network - Session 3
2024-11-02 11:00 - 14:00 | Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson St, Raleigh, NC, 27610
The Walnut Creek Watershed Learning Network (WCWLN) will occur bi-weekly on Saturdays to educate residents about community issues related to Walnut Creek in Raleigh. Sign up for a session today!
Key themes include:

Watershed Management
Environmental justice and advocacy
Green infrastructure
Community Science and engagement

Benefits:

$400 stipend after completing a session
Environmental toolkit
Skills to create meaningful change in your community
Mentorship

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Workshop
2024-11-09 14:30 - 16:00 | Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson St, Raleigh, NC, 27610
Help Us Monitor Streams!
Join Stormwater staff for a training workshop for the volunteer stream monitoring program. The course will cover basic stream ecology, how to collect water quality samples, and include time for volunteers to practice sampling in the creek. Please come prepared to get a little wet and muddy in the creek. Long pants and boots are strongly encouraged.
Register for the workshop today!

Stream Cleanup at Worthdale Park
2025-03-15 09:30 - 11:00 | Worthdale Park Community Center, 1001 Cooper Road, Raleigh, 27610
Join us for a stream cleanup at Worthdale Park to kick off Regional Creek Week! Help our waterways by collecting and removing trash from a tributary of Walnut Creek as well as green spaces around the park.
Details

Volunteers must be at least 10 years old; all volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
We’ll provide all supplies! Please just come with closed-toed shoes/boots and clothes that can get a little wet and muddy.
Each volunteer must individually register. Registration is required.

Biothon at Wooten Meadow Park
2025-03-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Wooten Meadow Park, 2801 West Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC, 27612
Join us at Wooten Meadow Park for Raleigh Stormwater’s first Biothon!
In partnership with the Clean Water Education Partnership’s Regional Creek Week, we will explore the biodiversity of different types of plant and animal life that residents and visitors can find at our local streams and wetland areas. Using apps like iNaturalist, Merlin Bird ID, and more, help us count and identify as many species as we can at the Wooten Meadow wetlands.
Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Streambank Planting at Durant Nature Preserve
2025-03-22 09:30 - 11:30 | Durant Nature Preserve, 3237 Spottswood Street, Raleigh, 27615
Join Stormwater staff and NC State Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering extension specialists to help repair a stream bank at Durant Nature Preserve. Volunteers will help reestablish a healthy stream buffer along Simm’s Branch by planting native plants along the bank. Native plants help prevent soil erosion and increase flood resiliency. This is a hands-on activity; volunteers will use small hand tools to cut, dig, and plant.
Details

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old; all volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
All supplies will be provided. Please just come with boots/closed-toed shoes that can get wet and muddy.
Each volunteer must individually register. Registration is required.

Rain Garden Rain Barrel Workshop
2025-03-22 14:30 - 16:00 | Campbell Lodge at Durant Nature Preserve, 3237 Spottswood Street, Raleigh, 27615
Join us for our spring Rain Garden & Rain Barrel Workshop! This introductory workshop is part of Raleigh Stormwater’s Regional Creek Week celebration and will share the importance of rain gardens and rain barrels as well as provide installation and maintenance tips.
Registration is required.

Five Points CAC Hybrid meeting May 19th 7-8pm
2025-05-19 19:00 - 20:00 | NC
Please join us for the next Five Points CAC hybrid (Zoom and in perspn) meeting on May 19th 7-8pm.

Doors will open Kiwanis Park Neighborhood Center at 6:30pm
Meeting time: 7-8pm
Meeting will end promptly at 8pm so that staff can close the Center

The meeting will be lead by Council Member Christina Jones and RCAC chair Robert Rice. Edie will be recovering from total knee replacement surgery but is planning to manage the Zoom meeting.

Zoom link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84111555416

We will have a police report from:
Sgt R.M. Talley
Raleigh Police Department
Community Police Squad – South Team

Ben Kuhn will give us a presentation about the 30 story rezoning case at the corner of West St and Peace Street.

Sheila Lynch talk about the Citizen Leadership Academy and Raleigh Neighborhood College.

And Council Member Jones will wrap up the meeting with updates from the City Council and Q&A.

Hope you will be able to attend in person or online!

Edie

Mugs and Markers! Storm Drain Marking Pop Up
2025-05-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Left Hook Coffee Counter, 927 W Morgan St Suite 116, Raleigh, NC, 27603
Join us at Left Hook Coffee to mark some storm drains! The first few folks to pick up their storm drain markers at Left Hook Coffee, mark a drain, take a selfie, and return to the table will receive a City of Raleigh coffee mug!
What is Storm Drain Marking?
Storm Drain Marking is a stormwater volunteer program that raises awareness between the connections of stormwater drainage systems, local waterways, and the impacts of pollutants. Help us ensure that everyone knows that only rain should go down the storm drain! Sign up to attend and participate!
Note: This is a drop in event, registration is encouraged to gauge attendance, but is not required.

2025 Big Sweep at Lake Johnson
2025-09-13 09:00 - 13:00 | NC
2025 Big Sweep at Lake Johnson
Sign up and share with the Friends of Lake Johnson! https://raleighnc.gov/parks-volunteer .

Description:

The annual Lake Johnson Park NC Big Sweep event invites participants to walk or paddle about the park to pick up trash.

Check-In: Volunteers will check-In with Lake Johnson staff at 9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. at the Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center.
Cleanup: Once checked in, volunteers can head to the lakefront and begin cleaning.
Post-Cleanup: As a thank you for volunteering, the Friends of Lake Johnson Association will be providing food and beverages until 1 p.m. We will also be taking a group photo to show off your hard work!

Duties and Impact:
Volunteers will use pickup sticks, gloves, and trash bags to collect and dispose of litter within the lake and along the shore. Improperly discarded litter is a serious environmental hazard. It pollutes the water we use and depend on, it has the potential to cause injury to wildlife, and it is simply an eyesore. By removing litter, we can help provide a healthier environment for wildlife and citizens to enjoy.

Work Environment:
We will be working outside in the elements. There is the possibility for uneven ground. There will be a restroom on site.

Requirements:

Ages 12+. Those under 18 must have a parent/guardian present
Signed digital Terms and Conditions or a paper release form. Those under 18 will need a parent/guardian signature
Only those ages 16+ may operate a paddle craft without an adult
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
Shore cleanup volunteers should wear close-toed sneakers or hiking boots
Bring your own filled water bottle and begin hydrating the day before

Other Instructions:

Volunteers are welcome to bring their own paddle craft or may borrow one. These will be available on a first come, first served basis
Cleanup sticks, trash bags, and gloves will be provided
Bring your own filled water bottle and begin hydrating the day before
Registered volunteers will receive additional information (such as parking and meeting locations) in their confirmation email
Registered volunteers’ information will be shared with our event partner, Wake County Big Sweep

Per department policy, this volunteer opportunity is not to be used towards court-appointed/ suggested community service hours.

Meeting Location:
Lake Johnson Park – Woodland Center
5611 Jaguar Park Dr., Raleigh, NC 27606
View Map / Get Directions

Hike & Chill at Walnut Creek Wetlands
2025-09-20 09:30 - 13:00 | Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson St, Raleigh, NC, 27610
Ready to drop some LBS? Loneliness | Burnout | Stress! Join us for a hike and chill! Come for the nature walk, good vibes, and convos, leave with meaningful connections and a better understanding of how the environment shapes our health and community!
Event Details

Time: 9:30 AM Arrive & Network | 9:45 AM Stretch | 10:00 AM Hike
Distance: 3 miles round trip, easy terrain (paved + natural surfaces)
Note: Kid-Free Zone, adults only for this one!
What to Bring: Light lunch, Water bottle, Sunscreen, Optional hiking stick, Layered clothing, Bug spray

RSVP here to secure your spot!
Why This Hike Matters

We are pleased to announce that we are teaming up with Let’s Get Social Raleigh and Partners for Environmental Justice to co-host to this special Hike & Chill! Together, we’ll explore the connection between nature therapy, wellness, and environmental justice, while highlighting why Southeast Raleigh’s Walnut Creek Wetlands are so vital to our health, culture, and community. These wetlands reduce flooding, improve water quality, protect wildlife, and offer a peaceful refuge for connection.

This partnership reflects our shared commitment to environmental equity and healing through nature and this hike is a rare opportunity to see how caring for our environment also cares for us.
