River Walk

THE CAPE FEAR RIVER WATCH (CFRW) recently added a one hour guided walking tour of downtown Wilmington to its ecological offerings that include kayaking tours of Eagle Island and Greenfield Lake.

“Because not everyone feels comfortable kayaking, I realized we needed to incorporate a tour of the Cape Fear River that was via a leisurely walk while staying safe during the pandemic,” CFRW environmental education and project manager Kay Lynn Hernandez says. “A downtown walking tour had been drafted by former CFRW interns over the past year and we finally have the opportunity to implement it.”

While strolling through downtown Wilmington and along the Riverwalk, participants learn the various fish and wildlife species found in the Cape Fear River and factors impacting their habitat. Eagle Island, an expanse of brackish marsh and swamp forest between the Brunswick and Cape Fear rivers, is also discussed, along with facts about the Battleship North Carolina.

Hernandez already sees an impact.

“These additional programs for small groups of adults have greatly benefited Cape Fear River Watch’s education mission by enabling us to disseminate important ecological information about the Cape Fear River basin to a wider audience,” she says.

The educational walking tours take place 5-10 times a month at 3 p.m. on weekdays, and will continue throughout the spring and summer.

To book a walking tour or any other CFRW tour, including Eagle Island paddles, walking ecotours of Greenfield Lake, and paddling tours of Greenfield Lake, contact Kay Lynn Hernandez at kaylynn@cfrw.us.