What We've Done
Community Science Initiative: Turbidity Monitoring with Wake Forest University
Community Science Initiative: Turbidity Monitoring with Wake Forest University
Community Science Initiative: Turbidity Monitoring with Wake Forest University
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FBEC has partnered with Wake Forest's Dept. of Engineering and Environmental Program to install a turbidity monitoring station (Spring, 2025) to record parameters indicative of the creek's health 24/7 (check today's stats at the very top of the website!). An acceptable, non-polluting turbidity level is generally below 5 NTU, which keeps water clear and protects aquatic life. Ideal, high-quality water (such as drinking water) is often under 0.1 to 1.0 NTU. For environmental safety, natural waters should ideally not exceed 5 NTU.
This is the first installment of a community science collaboration that we are eager to continue adapting and engage the public with.
Organized Community Stewardship of Heritage & Trails Center's Rain Garden
Community Science Initiative: Turbidity Monitoring with Wake Forest University
Community Science Initiative: Turbidity Monitoring with Wake Forest University
Elkin Middle School's Environmental Club is strengthening it's relationship with FBEC and the natural world through seasonal care of the community rain garden.
Environmental Education and music Summer Camp with Reeves School of Music
Community Science Initiative: Turbidity Monitoring with Wake Forest University
'Tunes & Trails Camp' is an annual summer program with the Reeves Downtown School of Music. The summer day camp is designed for K-3rd and 4th-8th graders, and combines music with environmental education; two significant parts of our regional identity.
Watershed Display in Heritage and Trails Center
Interactive Display in New Trails and Heritage Center gives a 3-D image of our Watershed North of the Yadkin River.
Stream Restoration
Stream Restoration
Recent Projects
Watershed Display
Landowner Assistance
Watershed Display
Inside the Yadkin Valley Heritage and Trails Center, you can find our Watershed Display. This hands-on exhibit features a tactile representative experience of waterways flowing from the North into the Yadkin River. It also highlights native wildlife and impacts from pollution.
Rain Garden
Landowner Assistance
Watershed Display
A rain garden is a landscaped area that absorbs and manages rainwater runoff from surfaces like roofs and driveways. Planted with native vegetation, it helps reduce water pollution and flooding by allowing water to be absorbed into the soil instead of flowing into storm drains. Check out our installation outside the Yadkin Valley Heritage and trails center.
Landowner Assistance
Landowner Assistance
Landowner Assistance
Big Elkin Creek and Restoration project on private land with Resource Institute.
Find more information.
Big Elkin Creek Stream Restoration Project — Resource Institute, Inc. (resourceinstituteinc.org)