Guilford Creek Week is back and making waves across Guilford County from Saturday, June 21, through Saturday, June 28. The weeklong celebration is designed to help county residents better understand, appreciate and protect the creeks, rivers, lakes and watersheds that sustain life across the region – and are great for recreation as well.

Guilford Creek Week is a joint project of Guilford County, the cities of Greensboro and High Point, several area towns, environmental organizations, libraries, museums and civic groups. The result is a packed lineup of activities that are mostly free, family-friendly – and focused on everything from biodiversity to kayaking to the not-so-glamorous but extremely important work of removing litter from area waterways.

Event organizers say Creek Week isn’t just about the fun: It’s about building awareness and encouraging residents to get involved in protecting one of our most valuable resources – water.

Many of the events are educational and interactive, and several require advance registration. Activities are spread out around Guilford County and they include everything from children’s programming to nature hikes, water treatment plant tours, STEM programs, cleanups and insect hunts.

Here are some of the events happening throughout the week:

Farm Exploration Walk, Saturday, June 21, 9 to 11 a.m. – A guided biodiversity and birding tour at the Guilford County Farm in Gibsonville, co-hosted with the Piedmont Bird Club. Registration required.

Rehobeth Wetland Program & Cleanup, Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m. to noon – Participants will learn about wetland design and function while helping clean up the area. Ages 10 and up.

Deep River Trail Walk, Tuesday, June 24, 10 a.m. to noon – A nature walk at the Piedmont Environmental Center in High Point, with lessons on beaver ecology and riparian habitats. Registration required.

Water Treatment Plant Tour, Tuesday, June 24, 5 to 7 p.m. – A behind-the-scenes look at how drinking water is cleaned and processed at the Ward Water Treatment Plant in High Point.

Benbow Preserve Cleanup, Wednesday, June 25, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. – A community cleanup event paired with a brief educational session on how litter impacts local waterways.

Kayak Cleanup at Lake Townsend, Wednesday, June 25, 6 to 8 p.m. –Participants can paddle and pick up litter in and around the lake. Equipment provided. Registration required.

Into the Pond: Bug Hunts & Biodiversity, Friday, June 27, 9 to 11 a.m. – Hands-on bug hunting and aquatic life exploration at the Guilford County Farm. For kids ages 5 and up.

Eco-Evening Walk, Friday, June 27, 6 to 8 p.m. – A family-friendly twilight walk at the Piedmont Environmental Center. Parents must accompany children.

Nature Navigators: Creepy Crawlers, Saturday, June 28, 10 to 11:30 a.m. — Designed for ages 2 to 6, this event introduces young kids to the insect world with activities and crafts. There is a cost for this one.

In addition to these highlights, the entire week will feature pop-up exhibits, scavenger hunts and water-themed activities. At the Qubein Children’s Museum in High Point, “Dinos and Water Wonders” will run all week with interactive displays and educational stations. And an art exhibit featuring student-created water-themed artwork will be on display at the High Point Public Library in collaboration with Greenhill Center.

Guilford Creek Week also includes the “Green Girls” STEM program, a free camp held Monday through Friday for middle school girls. The program explores air and water quality, ecosystems, soil, and environmental careers. Registration is required and space is limited.

For more information, a full event calendar and to register for events, you can visit www.guilfordcreekweek.org or search for “Guilford Creek Week” on Facebook and Instagram.

Volunteers are still needed for cleanups and educational events.

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