News

Sound Rivers’ Riverkeeping team and program staff are ready to hit the ground running in 2026. Scroll down to see what each of their main priorities are in the New Year!

Neuse Riverkeeper/Director of Advocacy Samantha Krop

1. Continuing to monitor construction sediment pollution and work with local governments to pass stronger protections for our waterways in the Triangle.

2. Training more community members to be Water Watchers to get more eyes on waterways across our basin!

3. From failing septic systems to CAFOs, I look forward to investigating the sources of elevated bacteria in our waterways and working with responsible regulators to address them.

Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Katey Zimmerman

1. Continuing Blounts Creek monitoring in collaboration with East Carolina University.

2. Working to understand new threats to the watershed, such as incoming data centers and WOTUS rollbacks, and working with communities to prepare for and protect them from those threats.

3. Tracking sediment pollution resulting from new development projects in the upper watershed

Continuing to build up our Water Watch program, getting more eyes out on the water and more water quality data available to the public.

Taylor Register, Water Quality Specialist

1. Getting out in the field to continue the investigation of Slocum Creek pollution, thanks to a North Carolina Land and Water Fund grant.

2. Conducting a sampling program for Mid-East Commission’s Mid-East Region Wastewater Improvement Plan.

3. Expanding our Water Watch program and the data that will give us a comprehensive understanding of real-time issues in our watersheds.

Clay Barber, Program Director

1. Deep-diving into the barriers that prevent proper, consistent stormwater management, and constructing more green stormwater infrastructure projects with our partner schools through our Campus Stormwater Program.

Building our volunteer network and community partnerships to remove even more pollution from our creeks and tributaries with more trash traps.

Engaging more people with our rivers and watersheds through our water-quality monitoring programs, Swim Guide and Water Watch, and the Tar-Pamlico River Water Trail.

Emily Fritz, Volunteer Coordinator

1. Expanding our Litter-Free Rivers program with more trash traps and groups adopting the trash traps.

2. Creating the Sound Rivers Madtoms volunteer group to get even more people involved in Sound Rivers’ mission.

3. Adding additional Swim Guide sampling sites throughout the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico.