Creek Week in Charlotte - tours, workshops, more...

March 18th to 25th, 2023, is the fifth annual Creek Week in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. This will be a week full of volunteer activities, educational programs and more, hosted by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services and its partners.

Mallard Creek Greenway. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

You’ll find a list of events on the Creek Week page. Here are just a few of them. Please make sure to follow the links to learn more about each one and to register, if needed. Most of the events are free.

You might also be interested in a list of events at Mecklenburg County Nature Centers and Preserves.

Creek Week Tours and Activities at Stevens Creek Nature Center
March 18th to 25th, 2023
Monday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1 to 5 pm.Stevens Creek Nature Center
15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC
Free (registration not required)

Drop by Stevens Creek Nature Center any time this week for special Creek Week activities. Follow a drop of water from your backyard to the ocean. Interact with a topographical map made from kinetic sand. Discover ways you can keep your drinking water clean. Outside, visit the restored Stevens Creek (via accessible trail) to see what’s growing and flowing this spring.

Around the Preserves in 80 Days: McDowell Edition
Saturday, March 18th, 2023
9:30 to 11 a.m.
McDowell Nature Preserve
15222 York Road, Charlotte, NC
Free (registration required)

Come out for a hike along McDowell’s trails that border the waterways that give our ecosystem life.

Explore Our Water at Quest
Saturday, March 18th, 2023
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Quest (at Latta Nature Preserve)
6345 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC
Free (registration required)

Discover the secrets of Mountain Island Lake through water tests and activities at Quest. Explore the science behind keeping our lake clean and finish with a self-guided lakeside scavenger hunt. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Learn to Fish Workshop
Sunday, March 19th, 2023
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hornets Nest Park
6301 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC
Free (registration required)

Kids and adults of all ages are invited to learn how to throw a line.

Sunday Crafternoon — Rain Barrel Workshop
Sunday, March 19th, 2023
1 to 2:30 p.m.
Confluence
117 Center Street, Cramerton, North Carolina
$15 (plus fees)

Learn about rain barrels and how they can help you not only care for your plants, but for the environment! This class includes everything you need to create a rain barrel for your home.

Join us to learn about the importance of rain barrels, how you can “decorate” them, their upkeep, and ways they can be used on your property.

This is a great way to spend time with your friends in a fun workshop while supporting the mission of Catawba Riverkeeper to Protect, Preserve, and Restore the Catawba River.

In this class, you’ll get a short info session on rain barrels, followed by hands-on, step-by-step instruction on how to create your rain barrel using the kit provided. Please note that the kits will require you to drill a hole into your gutter system on a downspout to connect your rain barrel to your home.

The Big Spring Clean
Saturday, March 25th, 2023
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Various locations (click above link for details)
Free (registration required)

The Big Spring Clean is the finale to Creek Week. Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services and its partners will host stream cleanup locations all around Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Join neighbors from all over to pick up litter and help make our waterways cleaner. Volunteers will be provided with gloves and trash bags. Check out the locations (link above) and register.