New Hope Creek Biodiversity Day
October 24, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Join us for our second annual New Hope Creek Biodiversity Day — a celebration of the unique flora and fauna that call New Hope Creek home! This event will feature interactive presentations led by experts from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) on the topics of aquatic wildlife, mammals, and habitat connectivity. The WRC and the Duke Forest regularly collaborate with the shared goal of “keeping common species common,” and this day honors that work! Duke Forest staff will also highlight recent restoration projects and their benefits for wildlife and the health of New Hope Creek.
In the event of rain: The tour will be moved to Sunday, October 25th 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Audience: This event is geared toward adult audiences (ages 18+). Any minors interested in participating must have a parent or guardian present and have an active interest in the subject.
Accessibility:
- Tour participants will be on their feet throughout this 3-hour tour, walking short distances on unpaved surfaces (gravel and dirt footpaths) and standing for extended periods during presentations. We invite you to bring along a walking stick or trekking poles if you need.
- A tour bus will transport attendees to and from the parking area and the event site.
- There are NO BATHROOMS in the tour area, so please plan accordingly.
- Pets are not permitted at Duke Forest education and outreach events, with the exception of service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Our registration form includes a question where you can share details about any accessibility needs you may have. If you have accessibility considerations that you would like to make our staff aware of, please let us know.
REGISTER HERE
Space is limited to 40 participants. To increase the reach of our tours, the first 10 tour slots will be first-come, first-served, and the remaining slots will be filled from a waitlist. You will receive a notification of your status, as to whether you are a confirmed participant or remain on the waitlist, by the end of the day on Friday, October 9th. Confirmed participants will receive full event details shortly thereafter.
Speaker Bios
Aquatic Wildlife
Mike Walter is a biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and has been working to conserve non-game fish, mussels, crayfish and snails since 2013. Mike grew up in Chapel Hill about 2 miles from Duke Forest and New Hope Creek and has been enjoying the forest for nearly 30 years. He is excited to share some new insights about the special and unique aquatic fauna found in New Hope Creek.
Mammals
Caitlin Brett is the state Furbearer Biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and represents a wide variety of species in the state including raccoons, opossums, river otters, mink, muskrats, beavers, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, weasels, skunks, and (surprisingly) armadillos. She has worked on wildlife research projects all across the country, and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for the natural world with all audiences.
While many of these mammals are common throughout the state, they are not always easy to see or identify! Come experience some ways that biologists and backyard naturalists alike can detect, differentiate, and better understand these species.
Habitat Connectivity
Brooke Massa is a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Planner with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. She coordinates the Green Growth Toolbox Program and has been working with communities in NC for over 10 years to develop plans, policies, and ordinances that protect our wildlife habitats and natural resources. In addition to working with communities, Brooke partners with other conservation organizations to protect habitat through strategic coordination of conservation efforts. Through this role, she coordinates the Triangle Connectivity Collaborative, a partnership effort (initiated by Duke Forest) to secure and restore habitat connectivity in the Triangle. As time permits, she also inventories and monitors wildlife populations, especially bats in the Piedmont. She earned a master’ degree in Environmental Management from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley.