Eno River Association
Protect. Advocate. Learn.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Last week, myself and my colleague had the amazing opportunity to assist two research technicians from North Carolina State University with Neuse River waterdog surveys in the Eno and Flat Rivers. Spoiler alert: we found one in the Flat River, but none in the Eno. Nonetheless, I’d like to tell you about our experience! First, […]
December can be a lot! Days get shorter. Holiday shopping and end-of-year reflections can breed anxiety – not to mention coordinating those family activities and travel! Add to that, nearly one-third of all annual donations nationally are given in December. We are so grateful for the 24% of individual donors who made it a priority […]
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 […]
2023 is the Year of the Trail in North Carolina! This statewide campaign encourages every North Carolinian to get outside onto the trails, greenways, and blueways that stretch across the state. On August 10th, 2021, the NC legislature passed HB 554, designating 2023 as the “North Carolina Year of the Trail.” This historic designation underscores […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Since our last update regarding the land transfer on Open Air Camp Road to Eno River State Park, we welcomed the newly formed Eno River Tenants Association to a listening session on October 23. All were invited to share their thoughts about the upcoming land transfer with the Eno River Association’s Board of Directors, staff, […]
There is nothing quite like being outside in the dark on a chilly night, surrounded by nature, and hearing the call of a lone owl echoing through the trees. It might be a little eerie at first, but we believe it provides a feeling of enchantment and mystery that can’t be matched. Unfortunately, the mysterious […]
Here at the Eno River Association, we absolutely love learning and talking about some of the amazing native organisms that can be found in our area, all of which work together to ensure Eno ecosystems are healthy and balanced. If you’re like us, you’ll agree that monarch butterflies EASILY rank at the top of this […]
Since sharing our statement with the Eno community in September, we continue to respond to individual questions, requests for clarification, and offers to help. We appreciate the support we’re seeing: for the neighbors involved, for the Eno River Association, and for the State Park. Even the frustrations we’ve heard are welcomed, as it helps us […]
The Eno River Association would like to acknowledge the recent questions we’ve received surrounding several properties on Open Air Camp Road in Northern Durham. A core part of our mission is to support and grow Eno River State Park by purchasing land identified in the Eno River State Park Master Plan for protection and expansion. […]
UPDATE: Durham Board of Adjustment Meeting Postponed to September 27. The Durham Board of Adjustment was set to hear our appeal in opposition to the Westpoint development at Black Meadow Ridge on May 24; however, our appeal has now been rescheduled for September 27 due to ongoing negotiations. We will put out a call and […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Join Eno River Association staff and hundreds of community volunteers working year-round to protect natural ecosystems and increase access to natural spaces in the Eno River basin. No matter what your commitment-level, there are opportunities for you! Sign-up to volunteer: Fill out the form and check the box next to Stewardship and Trail Maintenance. You’ll be signed […]
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 […]
![Did you know last year's Festival for the Eno was powered by 520 volunteers? Those 520 hard-working, fun-loving folks filled 749 individual shifts over twelve days. Of those 749 shifts, 656 of them were during the two days of the festival. That's a lot of volunteer power!
This year we are looking to fill 873 slots. Yes, you read that right, 873. We need your help. Put your handy skills to work helping to set up or break down the site. Take a few one-hour shifts directing traffic at the gate. Drive a truck through the park to collect bags of recycling and trash.
We're offering a few incentives beyond getting into the festival free of charge. Work five hours over the two days of the festival and get a free raffle ticket. Work two shifts with Trash Free and get a free raffle ticket AND a free t-shirt.
Find a link to sign up at enofest.org/volunteer
Photo by Thomas Beck
[image description: Two volunteers in t-shirts and shorts stand in the parking lot at the Festival for the Eno. One is holding a stop sign.]](https://www.enoriver.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)