Walnut Creek Wetland Center

The Walnut Creek Wetland Center opened in September of 2009. Our mission is to make people aware of the importance of wetlands, wildlife habitat, hydrology, and human interactions with the natural environment.

Scheduled programs are offered to all ages and the lobby is open free of charge to the public. The "green" built facility is within a 59 acre park bordered by State Street, Peterson Street and Garner Road in Southeast Raleigh. This unique location is within a short distance of downtown but, because it is a portion of the Walnut Creek floodplain, it provides ample habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals.

Upcoming Events

May 20th 2012 from 10:00 AM to Dusk. Celebrate American Wetlands Month at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center. We invite you to come to an Open House to watch water quality demonstrations, create a craft, do a scavenger hunt and explore the wetland. No registration required. FREE.

Greenway Trails

Located at the intersection of the Little Rock and Walnut Creek Greenways, the Wetland Center is an ideal destination, or stopover, for a greenway walk or bike ride. Use our bathrooms, get a drink of water and add to your knowledge of nature all in one stop. From the Center you can walk or ride to the State Farmer's Market, NC State's Centennial Campus and Lake Raleigh or even Lake Johnson. In the other direction lie the Rock Quarry Road flea market and Worthdale Park. For a map of the greenway trails around the Wetland Center, please click here.

Nature Programs

We offer a variety of nature based programs for all ages. From exploring aquatic ecosystems in Creek Life, to learning to identify trees on our Wetland Walks, there's sure to be something everyone in your family will enjoy. For more information on our current program offerings, please visit our Programs page.

Featured Programs

Kids Nature Night at Walnut Creek

Do you need a little time to yourself at the end of the week? Drop your kids off with us for a fun Friday night. We'll play games and do a craft related to that night's animated movie. We will even have popcorn and a big movie screen!

Ages: 6-12. Class Fee: $5

#124178 May 18 Fri 5:00 pm- 8 pm
#124179 June 22 Fri 5:00 pm- 8 pm
#124180 July 13 Fri 5:00 pm- 8 pm
#124181 Aug 10 Fri 5:00 pm- 8 pm

Scattering Seeds

Animals, wind and water help plants to scatter their seeds. Come to the Wetland Center to learn about some cool and unusual seed dispersal methods. To add to the fun, we'll decorate a pot and plant our own seeds for you to take home and watch grow.

Ages: 6-13. Class Fee: $5

#124804 May 26 Sat 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
#124805 Jun 23 Sat 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
#124806 Aug 11 Sat 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

Creek Life

Join us to splash around in the Walnut Creek. A nature instructor will be your guide as we search for bugs, salamanders, crayfishs and a lot of other animals who call this wetland home.

Ages: 6-13. Class Fee: $5

#124774 June 13 Wed 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
#124775 July 11 Wed 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
#124776 Aug 22 Wed 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Summer Tree ID Walk

Join an arborist on a stroll through the Walnut Creek Wetland. Learn to use an identification key and field guide to name some native wetland trees like Box Elder, Bald Cypress and Cottonwood. You get to take home your tree key! Youth younger than 15 are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required four days prior to the program.

Ages: All. Class Fee: $7

#124758 May 12 Saturday 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
#124766 Jun 9 Saturday 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
#124767 Jul 14 Saturday 11:00 am - 12:15 pm
#124768 Aug 25 Saturday 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

For a complete list of our Summer 2012 program offerings; visit our programs page, RecLink, check the Leisure Ledger, or call the Walnut Creek Wetland Center at 919-831-1960.

Wildlife Watching

Our expansive deck and greenway trails offer many opportunities for wildlife viewing. A bird feeding station invites a variety of songbirds and hummingbirds, while raptors including red shouldered hawks, barred owls, and even the occasional bald eagle are sighted in the woods surrounding the Center. Waterfowl including great blue herons, wood ducks and geese are regularly sighted. Mammal visitors include deer, foxes, groundhogs, beaver and more. A rich variety of reptiles and amphibians make their homes here as well.

Green Building Features

The Walnut Creek Wetland Center was designed by Frank Harmon Architects and incorporates many elements of environmentally friendly design. The building exterior is unpainted wood siding which requires little maintenance and will naturally weather. The orientation of the building and our many windows allow for maximum use of natural light while providing shade from strong sun. Water is conserved inside through use of low flow devices and dual flush toilets. Outside, we have swales and rainwater collection ponds which slow the flow of water across the surface and through the soil. Feel free to ask a staff person at the Center for more information about any of our green design features. We do green building tours free of charge. Groups larger than three, please call ahead.

Facility Rentals

From corporate retreats and trainings to graduation parties and family reunions we are sure to have a room to fit your needs. We have three rooms of varying sizes available for rental. For large events our wonderful sheltered deck may be rented in conjunction with a room. Please visit our Rentals page for further details about pricing and procedures.

Hours