Rowan Creek Week taking place from now until Saturday
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Kelli Isenhour, right, education coordinator for the Rowan County Soil and Water Conservation District, leads a group of people on a nature hike at the nature preserve. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Crystal Cockman of Three Rivers Land Trust leads a group of hikers across South Rowan Avenue along the Stanback Loop Trail. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Kenneth Easter takes a closer look at a dragonfly on a sign at the preserve. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
The first Rowan County Creek Week in 2019 kicked off with a 2.5-mile nature around Fred and Alice Stanback Educational Forest and Nature Preserve. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Jilda Bennett from Ophir, talks with Crystal Cockman with Three Rivers Land Trust as they explore a small pond at the Fred and Alice Stanback Educational Forest and Nature Preserve. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
SALISBURY – If you consider yourself to be artsy, you’ll have the opportunity to hone your creative skills during Rowan Creek Week.
Among the events, Happy Roots will hold “Explore Nature With Watercolor” 5:30 p.m. Wednesday during the celebration, which runs through Saturday.
Silas Everett, 4, takes a photo of a dragonfly. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
The free watercolor program will be held at West End Community Park and is open to all ages, with no experience needed. Participants are asked to register in advance so organizers may plan for materials.
The week is held to celebrate the importance, impact and influence of the creeks and waterways of Rowan County and the municipalities within. It is aimed to raise awareness that the health of waterways can have a direct impact on communities. The week will include nearly 20 hands-on recreation and educational programs as well as guided hikes, kayak trips, lake and stream cleanups, do-it-yourself workshops, historical presentations, animal education programs and more.
“There are lots of counties who are starting to host ‘Creek Week.’ It is just a way to raise awareness to our water resources in Rowan County, and a way to bring people together,” said county education coordinator Kelli Isenhour.
Government agencies, nonprofit groups, and educational groups will present information to bring awareness and offer tips on how we can conserve and protect our waters, Isenhour said.
Rowan Creek Week is a joint venture among local agencies and civic groups.
She said the response from the community thus far has been positive.
“I’ve been really surprised at how positive and receptive many people have been,” Isenhour said.
Details of the Creek Week schedule can be found at www.rowancreekweek.org. For more information, contact Isenhour at 704-216-8998 or kelli.isenhour@rowancountync.gov.
The remaining programs for Rowan Creek Week are:
Tuesday
• Water Awareness Day, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Scout merit badge fish & wildlife study, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Dan Nicholas Park.
Wednesday
• Setting up a simple irrigation system for home gardens, 9 a.m. to noon. at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office on Old Concord Road.
• DIY rain barrel workshop and other garden projects, 4 to 5:30 p.m. at West End Community Park.
Thursday
• Morgan Ridge Railwalk Brewery tour, 4 to 5 p.m. at the brewery on North Lee Street.
• Project WET teacher workshop, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Rowan County Agricultural Center on Old Concord Road
Friday
• Sunset paddle on the Yadkin, 6 p.m., starting at the York Hill River Access in Linwood
Saturday
• Town Creek cleanup, 8 to 10 a.m. at Town Creek Park on East Monroe Street
• Eagle Point cleanup and nature walk, 8 to 11 a.m. at Eagle Point Nature Preserve
• Bring Your Basket to the Bullhole, noon to 1 p.m. at the Riverpark at Cooleemee Falls
• Meet the Animal: Hellbender, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Nature Center in Dan Nicholas Park.
• Family Movie Night: “Moana” (rated PG), 8 to 10 p.m. at Salisbury Academy on Jake Alexander Boulevard
