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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 5, 2025 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-g <br /> SUBJECT: Orange County Creek Week 2026 Proclamation <br /> DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks <br /> & Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proclamation Abby Mattingly, 919-245-2510 <br /> Wesley Poole, 919-245-2513 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation declaring March 21-29, 2026, as "Orange County Creek <br /> Week". <br /> BACKGROUND: The first Creek Week in central North Carolina was observed in 2009 and is <br /> now observed by many communities across the state. Regional Creek Week, started by the NC <br /> Clean Water Education Partnership in 2021, was a first step in leading the way to foster <br /> appreciation of waterways. This special week saw local governments and community residents <br /> work together to celebrate and conduct stewardship and maintenance of local creeks and <br /> streams. <br /> Orange County Creek Week extends over an eight-day period and flows out of these prior efforts, <br /> and celebrates the streams, lakes, and rivers that connect communities through a series of <br /> activities such as a litter cleanup challenge, community science BioThon, invasive plant removal, <br /> green infrastructure tours, and more. These activities will be publicized by the partner <br /> organizations through social media and other methods. <br /> The fourth annual Orange County Creek Week is coordinated by Orange County and the Towns <br /> of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough; the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA); the <br /> UNC Institute for the Environment; Sustainable Carolina; the UNC Department of Environment, <br /> Health, and Safety; the Eno River Association; and the Haw River Assembly. <br /> This year, partners will create and hold events — both during the March 21-29 period and <br /> throughout the month of March —that will positively impact water quality across the County to help <br /> protect creeks and streams and inform community members on the importance of keeping <br /> waterways clean from unnecessary waste and pollution. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the <br /> proclamation. Funding for Creek Week activities are included in partner budgets. <br />