Cape Fear Creek Week provides opportunities for the community to connect with, celebrate, and care for the local waterways of the Cape Fear Region. Creek Week will be held March 16-21, 2026 with educational presentations, nature hikes, and more.
Cape Fear Creek Week is a collaboration between N.C. Cooperative Extension, City of Wilmington's Heal our Waterways, Town of Leland, Cape Fear River Watch, New Hanover County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Coastal Land Trust, Cape Fear Birding Observatory, Plastic Ocean Project, Mad Mole Brewery, UNCW Sustainability, and Alliance for Cape Fear Trees.
Take a virtual tour of watersheds in the Cape Fear River Basin with Kristen Rhodes, Americorps Environmental Educator for Cape Fear River Watch:
2026 Creek Week committee presents a week of wonderful events to engage and inspire residents to connect with, celebrate, and conserve our creeks, streams, and rivers in the Cape Fear Region:
All Creek Week long - Ongoing
Cape Fear Creek Week Bingo - The City of Wilmington’s Heal Our Waterways Program and N.C. Cooperative Extension are hosting Cape Fear Creek Week Virtual Bingo! Celebrate our waterways on your time and wherever you are by completing activities to get a bingo before the end of the week. Submit a photo of your completed bingo to healourwaterways@wilmingtonnc.gov to win a swag bag! Must be submitted by March 23 and be able to pick up the prize in the City of Wilmington to be eligible for a prize. Bingo sheets will be available shortly before the start of Cape Fear Creek Week!
Saturday, March 14
Mindful Birding Walk, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., 1260 W. Gate Drive, Leland - Slow down and connect with nature through birding. Learn the basics of identifying local and migrating birds while disconnecting from technology and soaking in your surroundings. Beginner. Supplies: binoculars. We will meet at the picnic table at the head of the trail. Register through Town of Leland for the bird walk here.
Monday, March 16
Habitat Fixer Uppers with Fort Fisher Aquarium, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., 1212 Magnolia Village Way, Leland - North Carolina's freshwater wetland habitats provide food, shelter, nurseries, and play space for native wildlife. In this lecture, you will learn how to become a habitat fixer-upper by discovering ways to diagnose and restore wetland habitats. You’ll also have the chance to meet some of the live animals that call these wetlands home. Register through Town of Leland for the lecture here.
Wallace Park Scavenger Hunt, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., 2110 Market St, Wilmington - Bring your little nature lovers out for a morning of discovery at Wallace Park! We’ll gather beneath the beautiful cypress trees for a nature scavenger hunt exploring the wonders of trees and their connection to our creeks. We'll have resources to share offering tips on how to properly plant and care for trees, as well as information about how our organization is working to grow a healthier, greener Cape Fear region. Alliance for Cape Fear Trees
UNCW Stormwater Tour, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., 4935 Riegel Road, Wilmington - Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of UNCW’s innovative stormwater control measures during Cape Fear Creek Week. We will explore rain gardens, permeable pavement systems, and other sustainable features that reduce runoff and support healthier waterways. Register for the tour here.
Tuesday, March 17
CFPUA Southside Water Reclamation Facility Tour, 1:30pm, Southside Water Reclamation Facility, 3436 River Road, Wilmington - Learn how Cape Fear Public Utility Authority safely processes and treats our community’s wastewater during a tour of the Southside Water Reclamation Facility! Cleaned wastewater is returned to the Cape Fear River. CFPUA is gearing up to fully replace the Southside Plant, which opened in 1972. Visitors will see where the new Southside is being built, and learn how the new Plant is being designed to serve our growing region and protect our environment. Register for the tour here (all visitors must be age 5 or older).
Wednesday, March 18
Bird Hike of Burnt Mill Creek, 8 a.m. - 9:30am, 2101 Market St., Wilmington - Cape Fear Bird Observatory is celebrating Cape Fear Creek Week by providing a free bird hike along Burnt Mill Creek. During the walk, participants will learn about the ecosystem and local environmental issues. You’ll also get a chance to see some of the 190 documented bird species in the Burnt Mill Creek watershed. This tour is free and open to all ages. Donations will be accepted. Register for the bird hike here.
Leland Storm Drain Marking, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., 115 Grace Point Drive, Winnabow - Work with the Town's Engineering Department to permanently mark our storm drains during this year's Creek Week. Participants will permanently glue stainless steel markings to storm drains in a Leland community to remind residents and visitors of the importance of protecting our waterways. Register for drain marking here.
Leland Kids at the Cove/Nature Scavenger Hunt, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m., Cypress Cove Park, 844 Appleton Way, Leland - Meet us at low tide at Cypress Cove Park to explore the importance of our wetlands. Situated on Mill Creek, a freshwater river, we’ll dive into water ecology, learn about the wildlife present, and participate in a nature scavenger hunt to further engage young minds in outdoor adventures. Register for scavenger hunt here.
Thursday, March 19
CFRW Golden Hour Guided Paddle, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Greenfield Lake Park - Come explore Greenfield Lake “after hours” as we embark on a golden hour guided tour by paddleboat in celebration of Cape Fear Creek Week. We will wind through a secluded cove, offering sightings of cypresses, fish, reptiles, and roosting birds. Along the way, we will learn about algal blooms, spillways, and watersheds—and how protecting the water quality of this hidden urban gem helps protect the Cape Fear River Basin as a whole. Tickets are purchased by boat (each boat fits up-to four people). Limited boats available–secure your spot early! *Registration required* Register for guided paddle here.
Friday, March 20
Pages Creek Walking Tour, 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., 1215 Middle Sound Loop Rd, Wilmington - Join NHC Soil and Water Conservation District on a walking tour of Pages Creek Preserve. Search for bird species that frequent the area. Learn about the current updates to the Pages Creek Restoration Plan. This plan will help get resources to clean up Pages Creek. Tour will be led by Dru Harrison, Director of the NHC Soil and Water Conservation District and Jessica Stitt, Program Coordinator for the NHC Soil and Water Conservation District. Bring binoculars if you have them! Make sure to dress for the weather and bring water. Register for tour here.
Mad Mole Brewing Presents: Sustainability Brewery Tour, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m., 6309 Boathouse Road, Wilmington - Join Mad Mole Brewing for a behind-the-scenes experience that goes beyond the pint. This special open brewery tour invites guests to explore how thoughtful brewing practices can make a positive impact on our environment. Learn about our waste reduction initiatives and day-to-day sustainability practices. See our PakTech recycling program, explore the role of our solar panels, walk through our permeable pavers that reduce stormwater runoff into Bradley Creek, and enjoy small beer samples along the way. Register for guided tours with samples (must be over 21).
Saturday, March 21
Brunswick Nature Park Tour, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Town Creek 2601 River Rd SE, Winnabow - Join Coastal Land Trust's Bryce Tholen for a free guided hike at Brunswick Nature Park discussing conservation of coastal lands to help protect our local waterways like Town Creek.
CFRW Paddle on Black River, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Hunt’s Bluff, Kelly - Join us as we explore the Cape Fear River Basin by boat in our first paddle of 2026! This month we will do a 4-5 mile paddle on the Black River, a major tributary of the Cape Fear River, in celebration of Cape Fear Creek Week. The Black River is a must-see, secluded blackwater river notable for its ancient cypress swamps, rare flora and fauna, and high water quality. We will put in at Hunt’s Bluff and take out downstream of Point Caswell at the thoroughfare, off of Estate Rd. Meet at Hunt’s Bluff no later than 8:30 am. We have a limited number of single-person kayaks available from our fleet for a suggested donation of $25. Paddles fill fast, secure your spot today! Register here for paddle.
2026 Concert Season Kickoff Cleanup, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Rotary Club Garden 1960 Amphitheater Drive, Wilmington - Join Plastic Ocean Project and community partners for a collaborative cleanup at Greenfield Lake Park as we come together to protect our waterways—and have a little friendly competition while we’re at it! Most Interesting Piece of Trash → Win a ticket to the For the Ocean Gala & Most Trash Collected → Win a ticket to the For the Ocean Gala. That’s right—turn trash into treasure and score your way into an unforgettable evening celebrating ocean conservation, community, and impact. Register to volunteer here.
Many thanks to our partners!