Choose Nature

Conservation

"Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land."

--Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

Environmentally Conscious Organizations

Audubon North Carolina
Helps conserve and restore the North Carolina habitats, focusing on the needs of birds.

Carolina Farm Stewardship Program
CFSA's mission is to advocate, educate and build connections to create sustainable food systems centered on local and organic agriculture.

Center for Environmental Farming Systems
Promotes food and farming systems that protect the environment and stengthen local communities by connecting North Carolina State University, NC A&T State University, and the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services faculty and staff with extension agents, farmers, and community members through workshops, lectures, mentorship, and events.

Conservation Fund
Protecting nearly 7 million acres of land across the US, the Fund partners with community, government and corporate leaders, providing skills, strategies and funds, to conserve environmental resources that support healthy, sustainable communities.

Duke Environmental Leadership Program
In addition to offering a master's degree as well as executive and continuing education courses and workshops, the Duke Environmental Leadership Program also has an outreach program that draws upon the expertise of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni, who are part of the world-renowned Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. This outreach effort includes programs, events, consultation, and other resources to individuals and groups interested in bringing environment education opportunities to their communities and organizations.

Duke Gardens
Duke Gardens has an outreach program containing several projects and partnerships, such as hands-on and natural science programs with the Duke University and the University of North Carolina children's hospitals, workshops and festivals offered to the public, school programs, an extensive volunteer program, an internship program, and other activities involving the community.

Eno River Association
Works to protect lands in and around the Eno River watershed through conservation efforts including conservation easements, education, habitat stewardship, and more.

New Hope Audubon Society
Promotes the conservation and enjoyment of birds, other wildlife, and natural ecosystems through public education, field research, advocacy, direct citizen action and contributions to other non-profit organizations with similar goals.

North Carolina Botanical Garden
The North Carolina Botanical Garden has a variety of outreach programs, including education, tours, summer camps, and volunteer opportunities in the Garden as well as community parks in the surrounding area.

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
NCDENR offers a variety of outreach programs through environmental education programs and activities. See their EE Calendar to view their many events, meetings, and other opportunities. Another valuable resource is their Environmental Education Advisory Council.

Orange County Solid Waste Management (OCSWM)
Free composting demonstrations, landfill and recycle center tours, and water assessments to schools, businesses, groups, and other organizations.

Scenic America
Dedicated to preserving and enhancing the visual character of America's communities and countryside through ational advocacy efforts and technical assistance services.

Sierra Club
Our local chapter, the Orange-Chatham Group, with over 1,600 members, stays abreast of local policies affecting the environment and offers outings in nature.

Sierra Club Podcast
Subscribe (free) and listen to interviews with politicians, authors, celebrities, artists, and activists inspired by nature.

South Eastern Efforts Developing Sustainable Spaces (SEEDS)
Established in 1994 in downtown Durham as a non-profit community garden with a mission of transforming neighborhoods, SEEDS programs teach people to care for the earth, themselves, and each other through a variety of garden-based programs.

Surdna Foundation
Funding provided to support sustainable environments and strong local economies.

Triangle Land Conservancy
Local land trust, protecting over 9,500 acres in six counties using a variety of conservation methods.

You Grow Girl
An online community that speaks to a new kind of gardener, seeking to redefine the modern world relationship to plants with a laid-back approach to organic gardening.

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Food

Bella Bean Organics
Delivery of organic produce from local farms to your door.

Carrboro Farmers Market
Corner of Weaver & West Main streets, Carrboro.
Open Saturdays, year round. Check their website for additional hours.

The Depot
246 South Nash Street, Hillsborough. 919-643-3768
A unique general store offering locally made goods such as coffee, baked goods, ice cream, art and entertainment.

Eno River Farmers Market
Margaret Lane (downtown), Hillsborough.
Open Saturdays, year round. Check their website for additional hours.

Local Harvest
This website offers a CSA description and a nationwide database of small farms, farmers markets, co-op groceries, events, and more. Searchable by zip code or city.

Hillsborough Farmers Market
NC-86 (Walmart parking lot), Hillsborough.
Open Saturdays, April - October. Check their website for additional hours.

Maple View Farm
6900 Rocky Ridge Road, Hillsborough. 919-960-5535
Enjoy homemade ice cream at this flagship location, while seated in a wooden rocker on a shaded porch, gazing out at portions of the farm and surrounding pastures! Ice cream and other dairy products are also available at Maple View Farm stores in Hillsborough and Carrboro, and at grocers throughout the NC Piedmont.

North Carolina Farm Fresh
A handy database of North Carolina farms offering CSA memberships, searchable by product and county.

Pick Your Own
List of locations throughout North Carolina. Includes tips, maps, and more.

Southern Village Farmers Market
Market Street, Chapel Hill (Southern Village).
Open Thursday afternoons. Check their website for additional hours.

Weaver Street Market
101 East Weaver Street, Carrboro (flagship location). 919-929-0100
228 South Churton Street, Hillsborough. 919-245-5050
716 Market Street, Chapel Hill. 919-929-2009
Local cooperative health foods and grocery supporting local farmers. Live music on Thursday evenings. Open 7-days a week.

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Sustainable Living

Environment Friendly Checklist for Builders
Strategies on building with environmentally friendly practices and design.

Environment Friendly Checklist for Commuters
Ten ways to save gas.

Environment Friendly Checklist for Homes
Tips on how your home can help save energy.

Environment Friendly Checklist for Offices
Tips on how your office can help save energy.

Gillings Innovation Laboratory Sustainable Agriculture Project
Research in local foods and sustainable agricultyture at UNC, Chapel Hill.

Green Building
A directory of information resources focusing on "bringing green to the mainstream" is just a click away.

NC State Office of Sustainability
Home of many environmental and agricultural education and community outreach programs, North Carolina State University has created a valuable resource for sustainability minded individuals, groups, and businesses.

Sustainable Duke
Duke is passionately committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability, consistently engaging staff, faculty, students, and the surrounding community in sustainability participation. The Nicholas School for the Environment is recognized throughout the world for its focus on environmental management.

UNC Sustainabilitiy Office
The University of North Carolina takes sustainability seriously through education programs for the public in addition to offering a minor in sustainability that includes courses in environmental science, business, public policy and planning.

U.S. Energy Information Administration
Energy and greenhouse gases explained.

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Assistance

NC Sustainable Energy Association
Promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency in North Carolina through education, public policy and economic development.

Soil and Water Conservation District
Offers technical, financial and educational advice to Orange County landowners.

Southern Environmental Law Center
Protecting the South's environment through the power of law.

US Department of Agriculture
Start, manage, and find a farmers market, statistics, publications, and more.

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Products

Bird Houses
The New Hope Audubon Society helps promote conservation by offering birdhouses for bluebirds or wood ducks for very reasonable prices. These homes are made North Carolina volunteers.

Floating Island International
Floating islands improve water quality by moving nutrients through the food chain.

 

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