Over 50 people from the Triangle area attended the Hike and Chill event at Walnut Creek Wetland Park on September 20. The event featured a two-mile walk along the Walnut Creek Trail, where participants learned about wetlands, pollution, stormwater management, wellness, and environmental justice.
The initiative was led by Let’s Get Social Raleigh, which organizes monthly nature walks and other events to foster community connections and promote wellness. According to the organizers, “Let’s Get Social Raleigh leads with people and wellness in mind. They offer monthly nature walks and other events to bring people together, make connections, and build a network rooted in community.”
Partners for Environmental Justice contributed information on the environmental history of Southeast Raleigh and highlighted the importance of the Walnut Creek watershed. The organization provided insights into water quality impacts and discussed how community action can support environmental justice efforts. As stated in their remarks: “Partners for Environmental Justice provides environmental history in Southeast Raleigh and insightful knowledge about the importance of Walnut Creek watershed and wetland, water quality impacts, and community action in environmental justice.”
Raleigh Stormwater also participated by offering educational opportunities related to green stormwater infrastructure projects such as wetlands and rain gardens. Their work demonstrates how these initiatives can improve water quality while engaging the local community. They noted that “Raleigh Stormwater offers projects and educational opportunities that makes green stormwater infrastructure, like wetlands and rain gardens, both a water quality and community engagement benefit.”
Organizers emphasized that collaborating on this event allowed attendees to network, learn more about their local environment around Walnut Creek, and explore ways to get involved in protecting waterways. In closing remarks they said: “Collaborating on the Hike and Chill event created an opportunity for people to network, learn about the community around Walnut Creek, and find ways to get involved in protecting local waterways. We hope to host more events like the hike and chill in the future for more to attend!”
