HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 03-05-2026; 8-g - Orange County Creek Week 2026 Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 5, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-g
SUBJECT: Orange County Creek Week 2026 Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks
& Recreation (DEAPR)
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Abby Mattingly, 919-245-2510
Wesley Poole, 919-245-2513
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation declaring March 21-29, 2026, as "Orange County Creek
Week".
BACKGROUND: The first Creek Week in central North Carolina was observed in 2009 and is
now observed by many communities across the state. Regional Creek Week, started by the NC
Clean Water Education Partnership in 2021, was a first step in leading the way to foster
appreciation of waterways. This special week saw local governments and community residents
work together to celebrate and conduct stewardship and maintenance of local creeks and
streams.
Orange County Creek Week extends over an eight-day period and flows out of these prior efforts,
and celebrates the streams, lakes, and rivers that connect communities through a series of
activities such as a litter cleanup challenge, community science BioThon, invasive plant removal,
green infrastructure tours, and more. These activities will be publicized by the partner
organizations through social media and other methods.
The fourth annual Orange County Creek Week is coordinated by Orange County and the Towns
of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough; the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA); the
UNC Institute for the Environment; Sustainable Carolina; the UNC Department of Environment,
Health, and Safety; the Eno River Association; and the Haw River Assembly.
This year, partners will create and hold events — both during the March 21-29 period and
throughout the month of March —that will positively impact water quality across the County to help
protect creeks and streams and inform community members on the importance of keeping
waterways clean from unnecessary waste and pollution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation. Funding for Creek Week activities are included in partner budgets.
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ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION
OBJECTIVE 6. Protect water supply/watersheds.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation declaring March 21-29, 2026, as "Orange County Creek Week".
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 3
PROCLAMATION
ORANGE COUNTY CREEK WEEK
March 21-29, 2026
WHEREAS, the first Creek Week in central North Carolina was observed in the City of Durham in
2009, and is now observed by many local governments across the state; and
WHEREAS, in addition to Creek Week, many local governments and organizations across central
and eastern North Carolina have conducted Big Sweeps and other efforts to clean up trash in
waterways; and
WHEREAS, Regional Creek Week, started by the NC Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP)
in 2021, is a special week set aside where CWEP-affiliated local governments concurrently work
together to celebrate and steward local creeks and streams; and
WHEREAS, the fourth annual Orange County Creek Week is coordinated by Orange County, the
Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough; Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA);
the UNC Institute for the Environment; Sustainable Carolina; the UNC Department of Environment,
Health, and Safety; the Eno River Association; and the Haw River Assembly; and
WHEREAS, this impact could be greatly magnified through the collective efforts of additional local
governments, organizations and individuals working together to educate about and protect our
waterways; and
WHEREAS, creeks, streams, rivers, and other waterways support outdoor recreation, fisheries,
healthy lifestyles, and safe drinking water supplies; and
WHEREAS, healthy waterways support biodiversity, natural beauty, and provide critical habitat for
aquatic wildlife; and
WHEREAS, municipalities throughout Orange County will celebrate Creek Week and bring
awareness to the importance of litter cleanup;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
encourages all community members to celebrate Creek Week and support efforts to protect our
creeks and streams, and further encourages all community members to steward our waterways to
promote the well-being of this and future generations;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims
the period March 21-29, 2026, as "Orange County Creek Week".
This the 5th day of March 2026.
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Laura Jensen
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners