To prepare for this annual observance, packets developed by the National Wildlife Federation and provided by the Federation s North Carolina affiliate are distributed to local school and public libraries by the conservation district. National Wildlife Week is observed during every year during the third week in April. Packets contain a poster and educator s guide that interprets the theme of the current year s national wildlife week theme. North Carolina Big Sweep's purpose is to rid the state s waters of litter by promoting environmental education and an annual waterway cleanup. The cleanup is held every year on the third Saturday in September.
Volunteers take notes on the kind of debris collected every year.
After this data is collected, it is analyzed to pinpoint the sources of debris in order to help enforce laws and focus educational efforts. Big Sweep cleanups began in North Carolina in 1987 and in Cabarrus County in 1992. Cleanup supplies and educational materials are available from the conservation district, which coordinates Big Sweep locally. The conservation district also assists with the adoption of streams through the state Streamwatch program. This annual event for students in grades 3-6 was begun in 1992.