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It’s become a rite of passage: Sound Rivers’ Riverkeepers kayaking their entire rivers. In October 2025, Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Katey Zimmerman, Water Quality Specialist Taylor Register and Volunteer Coordinator Emily Fritz embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime, 170-mile paddle down the Tar River from Oxford to Washington.

Three women, one river and a 12-day journey from the rolling hills of the Piedmont to the Pamlico’s coastal plain. But just like the Tar River, their trip takes unexpected twists and turns. Piedmont to Pamlico features this intrepid trio recounting their epic adventure and the lessons learned along the way.

You can join the fight to keep the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico fishable, swimmable and drinkable for all.

• Visit soundrivers.org to learn more about what we do and how you can help protect clean water.
• Leave a comment about our podcast. We love feedback!
• Sign up for our weekly eNews to have all of Sound Rivers' latest news, events and volunteer opportunities delivered straight to your inbox!
• Follow us on social media at @soundriversnc
• Want to support our work? Donate today!

Founded in 1980-81, Sound Rivers is one of the oldest grassroots conservation organizations in North Carolina. Sound Rivers monitors and protects two watersheds, covering nearly a quarter of the state. With Riverkeepers on the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico rivers, our mission is to preserve the waterways’ health and the health of the people who rely on them through science-based advocacy and environmental justice.

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In honor of Indigenous Peoples Month

Sound Rivers’ seventh podcast, “Indigen-US,” features Gray Parsons, a descendant of the Mattamuskeet and Machapunga people of what is today Hyde County. Parsons is the president/founder of Secotan Alliance, and has dedicated his life and artistry to advocating for living sustainably and in balance with Mother Earth.

Born and raised in Washington, North Carolina, his relationship with the natural world, and the Pamlico River, was established at an early age. A published author, poet, singer and drummer, Parsons’ compositions reflect a deep belief in the fact that all humans have indigenous origins: “All of our ancestries include people who at some point in their development understood and practiced a deep reverence for that which sustained their lives.”

In “Indigen-US,” Parsons shares his story, his artistry and his views on what prevents the collective “US” from reestablishing a “righteous relationship with Mother Earth.”

This is Indigenous Voices, the first in a new Sound Rivers’ podcast series honoring the culture, history and people of Native American descent in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico watersheds.

You can join the fight to keep the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico fishable, swimmable and drinkable for all.

• Visit soundrivers.org to learn more about what we do and how you can help protect clean water.
• Leave a comment about our podcast. We love feedback!
• Sign up for our weekly eNews to have all of Sound Rivers' latest news, events and volunteer opportunities delivered straight to your inbox!
• Follow us on social media at @soundriversnc
• Want to support our work? Donate today!

Founded in 1980-81, Sound Rivers is one of the oldest grassroots conservation organizations in North Carolina. Sound Rivers monitors and protects two watersheds, covering nearly a quarter of the state. With Riverkeepers on the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico rivers, our mission is to preserve the waterways’ health and the health of the people who rely on them through science-based advocacy and environmental justice.

Send us Fan Mail

Fran. Floyd. Irene. Matthew. Florence. Helene.

If the list of names strikes a chord, then you know North Carolina’s recent hurricane history. North Carolina’s hurricane history is established ... and long. But in the past few decades, the cycle of hurricanes has changed, and shows no sign of letting up.

The cycle is changing because our climate is changing.

“Storm Warning” features Dr. Hans Paerl, Kenan Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s Institute of Marine Sciences. He’s spent nearly 50 years researching the effects of human and climatic change of water quality and what that means for estuarine and coastal waters.

In this episode, Dr. Paerl takes us from the big picture of climate change and global warming to its effects on the coming storms and the impacts to water quality.

You can join the fight to keep the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico fishable, swimmable and drinkable for all.

• Visit soundrivers.org to learn more about what we do and how you can help protect clean water.
• Leave a comment about our podcast. We love feedback!
• Sign up for our weekly eNews to have all of Sound Rivers' latest news, events and volunteer opportunities delivered straight to your inbox!
• Follow us on social media at @soundriversnc
• Want to support our work? Donate today!

Founded in 1980-81, Sound Rivers is one of the oldest grassroots conservation organizations in North Carolina. Sound Rivers monitors and protects two watersheds, covering nearly a quarter of the state. With Riverkeepers on the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico rivers, our mission is to preserve the waterways’ health and the health of the people who rely on them through science-based advocacy and environmental justice.