You met the challenge, once again!

We are blown away by the generosity of all of our friends! You came together to donate over $22,600 to our EnoFest Matching Challenge which was matched through the generosity of several Wildflower Society members and friends. That’s over $42,600 raised to protect more natural, historical, and cultural resources of the Eno River basin.

We can’t wait to share all that your gifts are making possible in the coming months. This year’s Festival fundraising couldn’t have come at a better time, as we look to add 110+ acres to Eno River State Park. Thank you to everyone who joined in this challenge.

From the bottom of our hearts – thank you!

If you haven’t given yet to our challenge, click here to make your gift.

P.S. Many of you asked where this parcel is located! While the transaction is still in process, the land’s exact location remains confidential, but it is adjacent to the northernmost section of the park near St. Mary’s Road. The area was clear cut several years ago, and so we’re eager to help bring it back to its full forest glory with this protection!

 

Tickets on Sale Now!

42nd Annual Enofest Returns July 4th Weekend in Durham
Beloved Festival to again feature live music, crafts, food & fun on the river Saturday and Sunday

Durham, North Carolina —The Eno River Association will present the 2021 Enofest on Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4 at West Point on the Eno City Park in Durham, North Carolina. After pivoting to a completely virtual event in 2020 due to COVID-19, the 2021 festival will again feature an immersive in-person experience with live music, a juried craft show, food and fun on the river. As a special bonus, Enofest will kick off with a free virtual event streamed on Friday, July 2.  

The Festival will showcase over 40 artists on three stages throughout the two days, including The HamilTones, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Jake Xerxes Fussel,  Blue Cactus, the African American Dance Ensemble, Lightning Wells, Javier Montano, the Tan & Sober Gentlemen, PaperHand Puppet Intervention, and many more.

Enofest features a wide array of activities beyond the music, including a juried craft show spotlighting over 60 artisans from throughout the southeast, hand-selected food trucks and vendors, craft beers, wines, seltzers, and cider at the Eno beer garden, art, and dance demonstrations, and more – all on the banks of the Eno River. All necessary safety protocols will be in place for the Festival and tickets are limited. A sellout is expected.  
For more information, tickets, or to volunteer visit EnoFest.org

Eno River Association Website Redesign

Project Overview

(Download RFP)

The Eno River Association seeks a Web Designer with strong roots in the Triangle region to design a new website for the Eno River Association including: graphic design, coding, migration of existing content, beta testing, and launch of new site to the public. The project would begin in late Summer 2021 and be deliverable by December 1.

The current Eno River Association site is built on WordPress …read more

Ribbons of Color Along the Eno River

The Association provides platform for People of Color to share their Eno family history

The Eno River Association announces the revival of their Eno Journal, now available for purchase online and thru local retail shops. Ribbons of Color Along the Eno River: The History of African Americans and People of Color Living on the Eno contains first- and second-hand stories of those who have long lived in the Eno watershed.

This Eno Journal is the culmination of a two decades-long effort by the Association to discover, research, recruit writers, and publish this collection. “We are grateful to the descendants, record keepers, and historians in the Eno River community who preserved these memories and photographs” says Dave Cook, former Eno staffer and veteran volunteer on the project. READ MORE…

Next Steps to Protecting the Eno

Become a Member

Join us as we work year-round to safeguard water quality, wildlife habitats, farms & forests, while ensuring public access to natural areas & environmental education. By making a membership donation of $35 or more, you’ll be included in the action, receive members-only benefits, and know your gift is making a difference!

Additional benefits available to Eno Sustaining Members (those who give monthly) and Wildflower Society Members (those who make a commitment over $500). 

Sign up to Volunteer

Help steward trails, advocate for responsible development, and educate the next generation of environmental stewards. Volunteers helped start the Eno River Association and they continue to contribute a significant portion of the skills, time and effort. Learn more about the volunteer opportunities available, then fill out our online interest form to add your name to our roster of volunteers!

Double your impact through our EnoFest Matching Challenge

All donations made from 6/26 to 7/9 will be matched dollar-for–dollar thanks to a $10,000 now $20,000 EnoFest Matching Challenge issued by Eno friends David & Olivia Singleton, Greg Beck, and several generous anonymous Eno friends! 

The Eno River Association is looking to add 110+ acres to Eno River State Park in 2021 — and your gifts will help make this work possible! Protecting these acres comes on the heels of record-setting crowds in our parks and natural areas during the pandemic. 2020 showed us that accessible outdoor spaces are vital to the physical and mental health of our community.

Or join in the Festival FUNdraising by bidding on something in the Flavors of the Festival Online Silent Auction. You don’t have to be present to win dozens of items and experiences that highlight the nature, history, and culture of our Eno community — and beyond.  

Online Auction Runs July 2 – July 4 at 8pm

 

Durham City Residents Can Vote for the Eno

Out of more than 60 applicants, the Eno River Association’s hands-on, feet-wet environmental education programming was selected to be a part of the Durham Participatory Budgeting Cycle 2 (PB Durham).

The Association will use the potential $47,000 to expand upon its successful summer programming with new initiatives to engage Durham students throughout the school year. The Association’s plan includes partnering directly with Durham Public Schools to offer field trips to parks along the Eno River, education programs provided within the school when a field trip is not a viable option, and virtual learning opportunities. These programs will consist of curated activities in alignment with NC Standard Course of Study curriculum and will target 4th, 5th, and 8th grade classes. These programs will be provided at no cost to the schools, and transportation may be available to serve all schools, especially the Title One Public elementary and middle schools in the Eno River watershed.

“We have a grand vision of providing every DPS student with a personally meaningful experience with this important waterway during their time in the school system.” shares Jessica Sheffield, Eno River Association Executive Director. “The Eno River flows through all of our lives, provides drinking water, recreation and respite, and important wildlife corridors to our communities. It’s imperative that our youth – especially those simultaneous most impacted by poor environmental practices and least represented in environmental and natural resource conservation – are given the chance to engage with it and learn from it.”

Durham City residents can visit pbdurham.org to see a complete list of projects and to cast their vote by June 6. The Eno River Association is listed under the Children, Youth, and Families category. Read the full press release.

Duke Energy Awards Eno River Association $15,000 for Environmental Education

With a $15,000 donation, Duke Energy has continued its investment in the environment through support of the Eno River Association’s hands-on, feet-wet summer camp programs, iWalk the Eno Science & Nature Camp and Eno River Field Station.

“Our camps create future conservationists, and we are proud to partner with Duke Energy to offer such important STEM education.” says Jessica Sheffield, Executive Director of the Eno River Association.

Funding from Duke Energy will help the Association set camp fees intentionally low, provide need-based scholarships, and support resources for families where English is a second language. Thanks to past funding from Duke Energy and partners, Association summer camp programs have traditionally supported 30-50% enrollment by minority and low-income students.

Read the full press release.