News Stories

Wilmington District Observes National Public Lands Day Sept. 27

Published Sept. 23, 2014

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District is observing National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 27th at four of its five lakes, and at Lock and Dam #1.  Below is a list of events and activities.  For more information about National Public Lands Day go to the following link;  http://www.publiclandsday.org/

Cape Fear Lock & Dam #1

Lock & Dam #1 and Cape Fear River Watch will be hosting NPLD on Sep. 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers will be working to remove invasive plant species from the interpretive rain garden at Lock and Dam 1. The group also plans on labeling the native plants as well as the different sections of the rain garden. Closed toed shoes and gloves are recommended for volunteers. Project will be done at 996 Locks Road #1, Riegelwood, NC.  POC:  Tom Charles, 910-655-2605.

 

Falls Lake

Falls Lake & The Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail will be hosting National Public Lands Day on Sep. 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Work projects include clearing trail to a new campsite, and maintaining already established trail by cutting back vegetation and removing hazards.  Volunteers should meet at 121 Sherron Road, Durham, NC, which will take you to the Food Lion off Sherron Road and Highway 98. After the group meets, it will split up into project groups and "scatter out" to do the trail work.  POC: Jon Paull, 919-846-9332 x 232.

 

John H. Kerr Dam & Reservoir

John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir will be participating in NPLD on Saturday Sep. 27th. The lake is inviting the public to come out and help apply a fresh coat of paint to the 50 foot displayed tugboat "Dan", located next to the Environmental Education Center. Other projects include re-staining the small EEC amphitheater and adjacent stage. For children, the lake is encouraging kids to help pick out weeds and trim plants in the Butterfly Garden and help perform minor trail maintenance in the Forest Demonstration Area. All projects are located at 5164 Buggs Island Rd, Boydton VA 23917 with registration beginning at 8:30AM.    POC:  David Schwartz, 434-738-6143 x 153.

 

Philpott Lake

Philpott Lake is hosting a NPLD event on October 11 (rather than the actual date of September 27). The staff will be putting together tree protection cages, which will be used for an American chestnut restoration planting the staff plans to do at Philpott later this fall/winter. The tree planting will not occur during this event.  POC:  Mary Lawson 276-629-4512 x 227.

 

W. Kerr Scott Lake

W. Kerr Scott is having is participating in National Public Lands Day, on Saturday, September 27, 2014. Registration will be at 8:30AM that morning at Fish Dam Creek Shelter, and volunteer work will be from 9AM-12PM. Projects at the Visitor Center will include:

-  Replacing a fence on the Lakeside Nature Trail

-  Spreading mulch throughout the backyard habitat and the Native tree trail

-  Cleaning out the compost bin, and refurbishing it

-  Stain fences gazebo and hand rails behind VAC

-  Painting walkways with nonslip paint

-  Extend planter box

-  Weed planter boxes, canoe garden, and keyhole garden and replant them

-  Marina and Friends of the Lake will provide 2 boats each for trash pick-up

-  Brushy Mountain Cyclist Club will be doing trail maintenance

-  Carolina Traditional Archers will be doing trail work

-  Ducks Unlimited will be cleaning old nesting boxes and hanging new ones

 

   The Brushy Mountain Cyclist Club will be providing free lunch to volunteers. Free camping will be offered to volunteers on Saturday night. The lake requests that volunteers call the VAC if they would like a campsite. POC: Scott Graham, 336-921-3390.