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Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop was invited to the J.C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh this week to talk to the Raleigh Garden Club about Sound Rivers’ work, the Neuse River and the many issues it faces.

“It was lovely, I love the garden club women — they’re wonderful. We talked for forever,” Sam said. “They asked a lot of great questions and have a lot of interest in the issues facing the river in the upper part of the watershed.”

One of their main concerns, Sam said, is the rapid urbanization of rural areas.

“People are very concerned about development; that was one of the main topics we talked about,” she said.

Sam said she came away from her presentation with an appreciation of the advocacy work done by garden club members about local farming issues and preventing chemical pollutants entering the waterways, among other issues.

“It was clear they have an appreciation for our work, too, like on CAFOs and keeping nutrients out of the waterways,” Sam said. “I walked away with a sense of an ability for collaboration with them.”

Sam also said the Arboretum is definitely worth a visit, and employs plenty of green stormwater infrastructure throughout its campus.