“As a native of Western North Carolina, the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Helene has felt personal. My ancestral thread runs deep within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains; since the 1700s, my family has rooted in the river valley that stretches from South Carolina to the base of the Appalachian Mountains, […]
Eno River News
Now Hiring: Executive Director
The Opportunity | Executive Director The Eno River Association (ERA), based in northern Durham, NC, seeks an inspiring and experienced leader to serve as its next Executive Director. The next Executive Director will be a visionary and collaborative leader with a deep belief in the value of land conservation, community-building, and advocacy. This individual will […]
Helping Our Neighbors: Hurricane Helene
Like many of our neighbors, we have been watching the sad news from Western North Carolina. We hope you and your families are safe. Hurricane Helene has caused significant damage, yet the true level of impact to our communities, local businesses, and ecosystems is weeks from being known. Many of us are feeling worried and want […]
Another Summer of Learning on the Eno!
We’re celebrating another fun summer on the Eno with our camp students from iWalk the Eno Science and Nature Camp and Eno River Field Station! This year, we engaged 184 youth, ages 8-15, in outdoor environmental education activities at Eno River State Park, West Point on the Eno City Park, and the Confluence Natural Area. […]
Thank You for Supporting the 45th Festival for the Eno!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who made the 2024 Festival for the Eno a roaring success! To our amazing guests, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, talented artists, and hardworking staff – your support, energy, and passion brought our community together in the most magical way. We couldn’t have done it without you! Here’s to many more […]
We’re Hiring a Communications Intern!
Job Title: Communications Intern Organization: Eno River Association Hours: 10 – 15 hours per week Compensation: $2,500 stipend per semester Duration: Fall Semester (with potential for extension) About Us: The Eno River Association is dedicated to preserving and protecting the nature, culture, and history of the Eno River basin. We engage the community through environmental […]
How Eno River Association Contributes to Climate Resilience within the Eno River Watershed
You might remember when we released our Climate Statement back in May. This statement gives a great overview of some of the effects of climate change and how the Eno River Association (ERA) works to mitigate them, but we’ve been itching to dive deeper. This blog post is intended to give a little more clarity […]
Happy 50th Birthday to Eno River State Park!
Check out our time lapse video, mapping the growth of the Eno River State Park over 50 years. It’s time to light the candles and sing happy birthday! This year, on August 22, Eno River State Park is celebrating the big 5-0. It’s a significant milestone in our journey to protect and conserve the natural, […]
Thank You for Supporting our 44th Festival for the Eno!
It’s you, this vibrant, kind-hearted, and giving community, that makes it all possible. From the performers, to the volunteers, and of course all of you that came and enjoyed yourselves – we’re sending a heartfelt “Thank You!” Your Festival participation is just the first step in protecting the Eno. As you know, the Festival provides significant awareness […]
Eno River Association Adds Critical Protection to Teer Quarry
The Eno River Association is pleased to announce that a drinking water source for the City of Durham is now further protected with the generous donation of a 71-acre conservation easement adjacent to Teer Quarry. The conservation easement will protect the eastern side of the former quarry, which is located along the southern side of the […]
Join us for our 44th Festival for the Eno!
Summer is here, and that means, the Festival for the Eno is just around the corner! We hope to see you on July 1st and 4th! This year’s incredible lineup features Tift Merritt, Bombadil, the African American Dance Ensemble, the Gospel Jubilators, Joseph Terrell, Mike Compton & Joe Newberry, Dawn Landes, Spiritual Voices, Hammer No […]
How We’re Advocating for the Eno
The Eno River Association is at the forefront of advocacy efforts to protect and preserve the natural, historical, and cultural resources of the Eno River and its surrounding areas. The following are some updates on our advocacy efforts and opportunities to support to our cause. All are welcome to join our Eno Land Use & Advocacy Committee […]
Strategic Conservation Planning for Eno River Basin
We are excited to announce that we are embarking on a new project! We are developing a comprehensive strategic conservation plan that will center environmental justice and climate resilience goals within a prioritized plan for proactive natural, cultural, and historic resource protection across the entire Eno River basin. This plan will incorporate updated outcomes from […]
Panther Branch Natural Area Opens
NEWEST ADDITION TO THE ENO RIVER PARKS NETWORK A collective vision to transform 56 acres of family-owned forest into a publicly accessible riverfront hiking area has become a reality. Panther Branch Natural Area in unincorporated Efland will celebrate its opening on Earth Day, April 22 – the culmination of six years of work by the […]
Remembering: John Blackfeather Jeffries
Interview conducted on March 13, 2019 by Joe Liles at the home of John Blackfeather Jeffries in Hillsborough, NC. From Ribbons of Color Along the Eno River, volume 2. I came into this world in 1939 in Hillsborough, NC where we are sitting right now. All of my family lived around me. You could see […]
A Q&A with Author Julie Thomson
Julie Thomson is a naturalist, certified environmental educator, writer, and lover of the Eno. She enjoys studying and sharing the natural and cultural history of North Carolina and currently resides in the Black Mountain area of the state. Below is an excerpt from an interview with Julie about her recent book, “Saving the Eno River: Margaret Nygard […]
Year of the Trail Feature: Buckquarter Creek Trail
Buckquarter Creek Trail is a popular hiking route along the Eno, featuring ample natural beauty as well as several historical structures. This 1.5-mile loop features both forested and riverside hiking segments, as well as a quick jaunt along a special tributary of the Eno – Buckquarter Creek! Due to the location of Buckquarter Creek in […]
Eno River Association expands Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
The Eno River Association announced a 7.5 acres expansion of Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area today via a recent land acquisition. This property is a priority in the Eno River State Park Master Plan given its exceptional Natural Heritage Program Natural Area rating and will help provide habitat and water protection for the Eno River. […]
December Black Meadow Ridge Appeal Postponed
The attorneys for Save Black Meadow Ridge and the developer/owner of the parcel are requesting that Durham’s Board of Adjustment continue our zoning appeal. This extension will allow negotiations to continue between the parties. Our goal remains to preserve and protect the Eno River and its tributaries, and this culturally and naturally rich land adjacent […]
Eno River State Park to Proceed with Hillsborough Expansion
The Eno River Association is pleased to announce that a project to sell over 200 acres near downtown Hillsborough has received full funding from federal, state, and private sources. Since 2021, the Association has been working to initiate the sale of property owned by Classical American Homes Preservation Trust to The Archaeological Conservancy and the […]
Open Air Camp Road Update – November 18, 2022
We would like to share the following update regarding the properties on Open Air Camp Road. We have tabled the sale of the homes to NC State Parks, and are pursuing professional mediation with the Eno River Tenants Association to find equitable outcomes for the people who live in these homes. We have made mistakes […]
Reasons to Save Black Meadow Ridge at West Point on the Eno City Park
I. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS ~ 1. Protection of the water quality in a critical watershed area which affects the Eno River, the source of drinking water for Falls Lake reservoir in Raleigh and the future Teer Quarry in Durham. 2. Preservation of the nationally significant Eno River Aquatic Habitat which contains endangered and threatened species, among […]
Bringing Eno River State Park to Downtown Hillsborough
The Eno River Association is facilitating the sale of over 200 acres near downtown Hillsborough from Classical American Homes Preservation Trust to the Archaeological Conservancy and the State to be added to Eno River State Park. Once complete, this transaction will increase Eno River State Park to over 4,700 acres in Durham and Orange counties. The […]
Eno River Association has expanded our Confluence Natural Area!
The Eno River Association is thrilled to announce two recent land protection efforts that will increase the total area and property buffers at its 200-acre Confluence Natural Area. The Association has purchased nearly 70 acres to the west of the West Fork Eno River and has protected an additional 25 acres with a conservation easement […]