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Sound Rivers’ Executive Director Heather Deck and Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop set up shop at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, as part of an event to help local residents understand what resources are available to them.

Hosted by Peletah Institute for Building Resilient Communities, the ENC Regional Church and Community Resiliency Collaborative II featured more than 75 agencies and organizations.

“It was very well attended. There is a pretty impressive number of resources available to community members. We were super excited to be included to provide environmental justice support,” Sam said. “It was a just really encouraging to see all the people who provide services all in one place.”

Sam and Heather viewed the event as an opportunity to let people know ways Sound Rivers can be a resource for them: if they want to report potential pollution in and around waterways; have concerns that rezoning could impact a community; have concerns about destruction of natural habitats along the waterways or wetlands; want to report a fish kill or algal bloom; are looking for resources for flood mitigation and green stormwater options; and more.

“A lot of people wanted to talk about flooding — that’s on the forefront of many people’s minds in New Bern — and share their own stories,” Sam said. “People definitely wanted to talk about factory farms; they are well aware of the issues associated with them.”