Event Details
- Date: 03/21/2026 - 05/02/2026 11 AM - 2 PM
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Host: Partners for Environmental Justice
- Address: 950 Peterson St, Raleigh, North Carolina 27610
- Event Website
Information
WCWLN runs three times a year—spring, summer, and fall—and each cohort is its own adventure. The spring and fall sessions run for seven weeks, while the summer session is a fast‑paced five‑week experience, all held on Saturdays to make participation accessible. Open to teens and adults (15+), each cohort blends in‑person learning days, one immersive watershed field trip, and at‑home or online activities that let you explore the cohort’s theme at your own pace.
The Spring 2026 cohort is grounded in the theme of “Tech‑Powered Environmental Stewardship”, exploring the deep, complex, and often intersectional relationship between technology and the environment. This year’s program invites participants to examine how digital tools both shape and respond to environmental conditions—revealing patterns of energy use, flooding, land change, and neighborhood‑level disparities that influence watershed health. By understanding how technology intersects with community experience, infrastructure, and environmental justice, participants learn not only how to read data, but how to interpret what it means for the places they live, work, and gather. Participants will:
- Hear directly from professionals working at the intersection of technology and ecology
- Participate in hands‑on activities and demonstrations
- Learn how mapping tools, sensors, online platforms, and other emerging technologies help us understand and protect the Walnut Creek watershed
Community Project:
Throughout the program, every participant develops their own individual community project—an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned and make a meaningful impact in the Walnut Creek watershed. You’ll design your project, receive support and guidance along the way, and present it at the end of the program to graduate and receive a $400 stipend.
This is your chance to create something rooted in your interests, your neighborhood, and your vision for a healthier, more connected watershed community.
Spring 2026 WCWLN Schedule
ALL SESSIONS TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAYS. IN‑PERSON SESSIONS RUN FROM 11:00 AM TO 2:00 PM, WITH GRADUATION DAY ENDING AT 3:00 PM.
March 21 — In‑Person Session
March 28 — Self‑Guided Learning
April 4 — Virtual Session (Microsoft Teams)
April 11 — Self‑Guided Learning
April 18 — Field Trip: Lake Johnson
April 25 — In‑Person Session: Community Project Round 1
May 2 — In‑Person Session: Community Project Round 2 & Graduation
Featuring keynote speaker Jevon Smith, Research Computing Manager at NC State University and recent candidate for Raleigh City Council (Ward D).
