News

A tiny turtle was one of the best finds on Duffyfield Canal this week.
Sound Rivers Program Director Clay Barber, Water Quality Specialist Taylor Register, Volunteer Coordinator Emily Fritz and intern William Wallace met up with employees of the New Bern Publix today to introduce them the Sound Rivers’ Trash Trout and provide some volunteer hours.
“They thought the Trash Trout was cool. There wasn’t a whole lot of trash sitting in it. The lack of rain was causing the creek to kind of flow backward a little bit,” Clay said. “That’s a good problem to have, I reckon — not enough trash.”
There was trash, however, but the volunteers had to go looking for it: in waders, combing through the duck weed, then along the banks of the canal.
“There was lots of Styrofoam pieces, tiny pieces. I feel like everything we found today was tiny pieces, then it jumped up to giant pieces of wood, like from fences,” Clay said.
Two large bags of trash were collected, and the Publix employees/Trash Trout volunteers told Clay they had a good time and would do it again. Future Trash Trout clean-outs will be organized by Sound Rivers’ new volunteer coordinator, Emily.
(The turtle was found in the duck weed — not in the Trash Trout — and was released downstream. And to the New Bern public works employee who effusively thanked us for “cleaning his ditch” — you’re welcome!)
Related News

Specialist investigates lake connection to mysterious skin rash
July 10th 2025

Riverkeeper: Central NC flooding part of a much larger issue
July 10th 2025

N.C. Governor vetoes bad rulemaking bill
July 10th 2025

Riverkeeper, program director ‘Growing More than Rain Gardens’
July 10th 2025

Volunteer coordinator goes ‘fishing’
July 10th 2025

Neuse fish kill expected to extend beyond holiday weekend
July 3rd 2025

Swim Guide fails prompt Maple Cypress investigation
July 3rd 2025

Riverkeeper, town partners root out source of Smithfield sediment pollution
July 3rd 2025
