Lumbee Tribe Marks Earth Day with Conservation Initiatives at Pembroke Culture Center

On April 26, 2024, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina celebrated Earth Day at the Lumbee Culture Center in Pembroke, NC. The event emphasized their ongoing commitment to environmental care and education. Tribal Council member Wendy Moore, the Lumbee Cultural Burn Association, the NC Nature Conservancy, community members, and the Lumbee River Keeper participated in the event.

The celebration included planting native species like blueberry bushes and Long Leaf Pine tree plugs, native to the Southeast United States. These were planted along a new nature path at the center, aimed at encouraging physical activity, healthy foraging, and learning about local ecology, agriculture, and culture.

The project was supported by grants for the blueberry bushes and donations from North Carolina State Parks for the Long Leaf Pine trees. These efforts contribute to the restoration of Pine Savannahs, using controlled burning techniques by the Lumbee Cultural Burn Association to keep the ecosystem healthy.

Educational activities were a key part of the Earth Day event. Informational signs were installed along the trails to share details about biological research by students from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP). These students study plant growth, wildlife behavior, and water quality at the Culture Center.

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