ECWA
Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association
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    • What is a Watershed?
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    • Overview
    • 17-Acre Wood
    • The Rocks
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Pearl Mill
​Nature Preserve

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Pearl Mill

Old North Durham and Duke Park Neighborhoods
Located just outside of downtown Durham, the Pearl Mill Nature Preserve is part of a corridor of wetlands and floodplain woods that surround the East Branch of the South Ellerbe Creek.
ACCESS TRAIL MAPS

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Pearl Mill features several of ECWA’s green infrastructure projects as well as a pollinator habitat restoration.
LEARN MORE

This lovely five-acre preserve along South Ellerbe Creek’s public greenway is community green space and home to a pollinator garden. Visitors can learn about native plants through interpretive signs and relax on creekside benches overlooking bluffs on the opposite bank. Pearl Mill Preserve was brought into being by the interest and dedication of residents from the nearby Trinity Park, Old North Durham, and Duke Park neighborhoods, and these residents act as stewards for the preserve to this day. When you visit during the spring or summer months, look for the lacy white blossoms of native Silky Dogwood and American Elderberry along the creek.

The Story of Pearl Mill Preserve
 The original three acres for Pearl Mill Preserve were donated by the Duke Energy Corporation in 2006. In 2017, two more acres were donated to create the current five acres. The preserve is named for the former textile mill (now converted to apartments) just upstream at the headwaters of South Ellerbe Creek. The initial phases of restoration involved cutting back and removing two dominant, invasive vines: Thorny Olive and Japanese Privet. This made room for native species to flourish and opened sight lines to the creek. The coming years holds positive changes for this part of our watershed, including a large stream restoration and stabilization project, a rain garden for filtering stormwater before it reaches the creek, an enhanced pollinator habitat, and greater community access and educational opportunities.

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​Here you will find a diverse variety of native trees, including oaks, hackberry, walnut, and persimmon, and the opportunity to see wildlife including Barred Owls. The popular South Ellerbe Creek Greenway runs through the preserve, connecting this preserve with the rest of the city.

READ MORE ABOUT PRESERVE PLANTS & ANIMALS »

Plan Your Visit

Opening Hours:
Dawn to dusk year-round.


Directions & Parking: This preserve is nestled between the Duke Park, Trinity Park, and Old North Durham neighborhoods. The paved South Ellerbe Creek Trail runs right through the preserve, which means that it is best accessed on foot or bike via the trail. If you choose to drive,  park near where the trail crosses Green Street, on the 700 block (703 Green Street, Durham, NC 27701). You will see the Pearl Mill Preserve kiosk on the north side of Green Street. Walking south from the kiosk, notice the pollinator garden on the right side of the path. Continue south a quarter mile to the future location of the South Ellerbe Stormwater Project and another mile to Durham’s city center.

Using the Durham Public Bus: The closest stop is #5220 on Route 1 at the corner of Duke Street and Demerius Street. Walk south one block to Green Street and then head east on Green Street. After about a block you will see the Ellerbe Creek Trail and the preserve kiosk will be on your right. 
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​Want to know the lie of the land? ​Download trail maps to use on-the-go.
ACCESS MAPS

ECWA exists because people believe that it's important to cherish the treasures in our own back yard. 

Help us conserve this wonderful natural resource, and remind the people of Durham that nature is important, even in the heart of a city.​

DONATE

More Nature Preserves

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Glennstone

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Beaver Marsh

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The Rocks

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ECWA​
Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association

Mail:  PO Box 2679
Durham, NC 27715
Office: 904 Broad St 
Durham, NC 27705
919.698.9729
info@ellerbecreek.org
​
​OUR WATERSHED

What Is a Watershed?
History of the Watershed
Plants & Animals
Stories from the Watershed
Ellerbe & Me




​OUR PRESERVES

Overview
Glennstone
Beaver Marsh
Pearl Mill
The Rocks
17-Acre Wood
Non-Public Preserves
​
​OUR WORK

Overview
Protect
Restore

Engage
Advocate


​
​ABOUT US

Our People

Our Supporters
History of ECWA
Guiding Documents
​
​GET INVOLVED

Donate
Volunteer
Visit a Preserve
Creek Smart
Attend an Event
Copyright © 2019 ECWA   |   Terms   |   Privacy
  • Our Watershed
    • What is a Watershed?
    • History of the Ellerbe Creek Watershed
    • Plants & Animals
    • Stories from the Watershed >
      • Blog
      • Ellerbe & Me
  • Our Preserves
    • Overview
    • 17-Acre Wood
    • The Rocks
    • Pearl Mill
    • Glennstone
    • Beaver Marsh
  • Our Work
    • Overview
    • Protect
    • Restore
    • Engage
    • Advocate
    • Creek Smart​® >
      • About Creek Smart​®
      • Walking Tours
      • Downspout Disconnection
      • Cisterns
      • Rain Gardens >
        • Siting
        • Designing
        • Installing
      • Support Creek Smart​®
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Careers
    • Our Supporters
    • History of ECWA
    • Guiding Documents
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Volunteer
    • Attend An Event
    • Stewardship
    • Visit a Preserve
    • Creek Watchers
    • Make Your Property Creek Smart
  • Donate