Conservation Partners

Our club is defined by more than just time spent on the water; it is defined by our commitment to the resources we cherish. These non-profit partners represent the front lines of conservation, habitat restoration, and policy advocacy in the Southeast. By listing them here, we are providing a roadmap for our members to transition from observers to participants—offering opportunities to volunteer, advocate, and lead in the fight to keep our lakes, rivers, and coastal waters; clean, and full of life.

High Country/Foothills: 

New River Conservancy - https://newriverconservancy.org/

"To protect the waters, woodlands, and wildlife of the New River Watershed."
They work to ensure: Clean Water: Protecting the waters that feed the river. Vibrant Ecosystems: Ensuring the land supports healthy plants and animals. Empowered Communities: Fostering passionate advocates within the communities that rely on the river across North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Their events page provides opportunities for river cleanups, tree plantings, etc.

Blue Ridge Conservancy - https://blueridgeconservancy.org/

"Blue Ridge Conservancy partners with landowners and local communities to permanently protect natural resources with agricultural, cultural, recreational, ecological and scenic value in northwest North Carolina."

They also are active providing responsible recreation activities including the Middle Fork Greenway in Boone and the Northern Peaks Trail between Boone and West Jefferson.  Their Events page offers opportunities for conservation as well as guided hikes.

MountainTrue - https://mountaintrue.org/ 

"MountainTrue is a community-powered nonprofit working across the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains to protect our forests, safeguard clean water, and build healthier communities."

Conservation group working across WNC focusing on water conservation via events (river cleanups, livestaking, etc.), advocacy, and regulation enforcement via their Riverkeepers.

Foothills Conservancy - https://www.foothillsconservancy.org/about-us

"Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefit of people and all living things."

Conservancy with focus on regions a bit further east of the Blue Ridge incl.The South Mountains and the Broad, Catawba, and Yadkin watersheds.

Triangle:

Sound Rivers - https://soundrivers.org/ 

"Our mission is to monitor and protect the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River watersheds covering nearly one quarter of North Carolina, and to preserve the health and beauty of the river basin through environmental justice."

Focused on water quality in the Neuse, Tar, and Pamlico watersheds.  Events include river cleanups including things like trash trap maintenance.

Wake County Big Sweep - https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/soil-water-conservation/volunteer-opportunities/wake-county-big-sweep 

Wake County Big Sweep is a citizen volunteer effort to protect our watersheds, water quality, and make our environment litter-free. For over 30 years, Big Sweep has coordinated cleanups in Wake County focused on watersheds, streams, lakes, and wetlands that ultimately lead to the ocean. We rely on our lead volunteers, Zone Captains, who conduct cleanups to dispose of trash and recycling across various locations in Wake County. All supplies and logistics are provided for events. Big Sweep is a program of Wake Soil and Water Conservation District. Volunteer opportunities on their events page.

Coast:

Coastal Conservation Associate North Carolina - https://ccanc.org/

"Coastal Conservation Association North Carolina (CCA NC) is a community of conservationists and recreational anglers working to promote sound management of public trust marine and estuarine resources to protect those resources for the enjoyment of current and future generations."