"Saving the Eno River” Author Hopes to Encourage Current and Future Conservationists

 Thomson credits environmental education experiences
as inspiration to tell Margaret Nygard's Story

Julie Thomson, a North Carolina Certified Environmental Educator, naturalist and trail guide, has released her new book about the history of the Eno River and how Margaret Nygard and other community members became part of the legacy of Eno River State Park. “Saving the Eno River” highlights the legacy of Margaret Nygard and the work of others that formed the association to create what is now a treasured haven for anglers, birdwatchers, paddlers, photographers, and hikers along the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail.

Julie works as a field instructor for Muddy Sneakers, an environmental education program that works with 5th grade public school students to instill in students a lifelong love of nature and inquiry while enhancing academic achievement and meeting NC’s science standards. On weekends and in the summer, she works as a naturalist and trail guide at Chimney Rock State Park where she leads hikes and programs for school groups and Girl Scouts and teaches. She enjoys studying and sharing the natural and cultural history of North Carolina and currently resides in the Black Mountain area of the state.

Julie earned her NC Environmental Education Certification in 2022 and for her community partnership project, which is required for certification, she decided to write the book. “By writing the story of Saving the Eno as a children's book, I hope to preserve the history of how the Eno was saved and share it with the broader community. I’ve always been fascinated by the story of how the Eno River was preserved and I was always surprised that it wasn’t available as a book to read. I first learned about the Eno River Association through the annual calendar, working one summer at Schoolhouse of Wonder, and then also through the Association’s Winter and Spring hikes. I met many people who participated in the association and the saving of the Eno. They knew the history and happily shared it on hikes and answered questions, but I always wanted to know more. Ranger Lawson Osteen at the Eno River State Park researched and presents a program titled “The Fight for the Eno” which also added to my knowledge of this history. When I worked as a Naturalist at the Eno River State Park, he let me present my own version of his program too.”

Julie says she was inspired by all the efforts of the community to share the natural and cultural history of the river and to engage artists in the effort. “The saving of the Eno is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when community members work together and make their voices heard. And this work continues today. I hope that children who love the Eno will learn from this story, and in turn protect, preserve, and conserve the Eno in the future.”

Through donations to Julie’s “Give a Book, Get a Book Fundraiser,” she was able to give copies of her book to 40 elementary schools in Durham and Hillsborough, and a copy to each of the main branches of the public libraries in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough, as well as copies to the Eno River State Park and West Point on the Eno.

You can visit the Eno River Association’s website to purchase your own copy. A paperback edition of this book will also be available at the Festival for the Eno, the association’s largest annual outreach event is the Festival for the Eno which draws tens of thousands of people to the shaded banks of the Eno River each Independence Day weekend since 1980 with an eclectic and immersive offering of performances, demonstrations, activities, and workshops celebrating the people and places of the Eno River on July 1 and 4, 2023.

You can listen to a recent Lunchtime Discovery Series talk with Julie about the book which includes a reading of the book and a chat with Kim Livingston, director of conservation and stewardship with the Eno River Association about new land that is being added to Eno River State Park.