Enbridge Gas North Carolina Awards $5,000 Grant to Bring Chimney Swifts Back to Concord
Community partnership will restore habitat for a declining bird species while creating a new destination for environmental education
Contact: Michele Miller Houck - 704-252-0967 or [email protected]
CONCORD, N.C. — North Carolina Wildlife Federation Concord Wildlife Alliance Chapter (CWA) has been awarded a $5,000 community grant from Enbridge Gas North Carolina to launch Bringing the Swifts Home, a community conservation project that will restore critical nesting habitat for chimney swifts and reconnect residents with one of Concord's most beloved wildlife traditions.
The grant will fund the construction of a purpose-built chimney swift tower at a future site in Concord, replacing habitat lost when the chimney at the former Beverly Hills Elementary School was demolished in 2024. CWA is currently working with community partners to evaluate two potential Concord locations where researchers have documented active chimney swift habitat.
Chimney swifts (Chaetura pelagica) are small, grey, torpedo-shaped birds with stiff, dark wings that spend nearly their entire lives in flight. After a few weeks in the nest stretching their flight muscles, the swifts won’t land for up to two years – eating, sleeping, and bathing as they fly. From their wintering grounds in the Peruvian Amazon to their breeding habitat along eastern North America, a lot has changed. Clear skies are now polluted with fuel exhaust, factory emissions, and cities that never sleep. Disorienting nighttime lights increase window collisions. Wetlands and grasslands teeming with insects to eat are paved over with parking lots and highways. Fewer and fewer hollow structures remain to shelter the next generation.
For decades, residents had gathered on warm summer evenings to watch hundreds of chimney swifts spiral overhead before descending into the school's brick chimney at dusk. The demolition of the chimney eliminated an important nesting and roosting site for the birds and marked the end of a cherished neighborhood tradition.
Contact: Michele Miller Houck - 704-252-0967 or [email protected]
CONCORD, N.C. — North Carolina Wildlife Federation Concord Wildlife Alliance Chapter (CWA) has been awarded a $5,000 community grant from Enbridge Gas North Carolina to launch Bringing the Swifts Home, a community conservation project that will restore critical nesting habitat for chimney swifts and reconnect residents with one of Concord's most beloved wildlife traditions.
The grant will fund the construction of a purpose-built chimney swift tower at a future site in Concord, replacing habitat lost when the chimney at the former Beverly Hills Elementary School was demolished in 2024. CWA is currently working with community partners to evaluate two potential Concord locations where researchers have documented active chimney swift habitat.
Chimney swifts (Chaetura pelagica) are small, grey, torpedo-shaped birds with stiff, dark wings that spend nearly their entire lives in flight. After a few weeks in the nest stretching their flight muscles, the swifts won’t land for up to two years – eating, sleeping, and bathing as they fly. From their wintering grounds in the Peruvian Amazon to their breeding habitat along eastern North America, a lot has changed. Clear skies are now polluted with fuel exhaust, factory emissions, and cities that never sleep. Disorienting nighttime lights increase window collisions. Wetlands and grasslands teeming with insects to eat are paved over with parking lots and highways. Fewer and fewer hollow structures remain to shelter the next generation.
For decades, residents had gathered on warm summer evenings to watch hundreds of chimney swifts spiral overhead before descending into the school's brick chimney at dusk. The demolition of the chimney eliminated an important nesting and roosting site for the birds and marked the end of a cherished neighborhood tradition.
Members of the NCWF Concord Wildlife Alliance Chapter Leadership Team convened on July 28, 2026, to receive a $5,000 grant from Julie Roper and Shawna Engles, Municipal & Stakeholder Engagement, Enbridge Gas - NC.
"This project is about much more than building a tower," said Michele Miller Houck, co-president of Concord Wildlife Alliance. "It's about restoring a place where wildlife and people can reconnect. By creating new habitat for chimney swifts, we're also creating opportunities for education, community engagement, and a renewed appreciation for one of North Carolina's most remarkable native birds."
Once common in North America, chimney swifts have experienced significant population declines as old masonry chimneys they depend upon for nesting and roosting have disappeared through demolition, renovation, and modern construction. NCWF encourages communities to protect existing chimneys or construct dedicated chimney swift towers to replace lost habitat.
The new tower will provide a safe nesting and roosting site while serving as an outdoor classroom and community gathering place. CWA plans to host educational programs, bird walks, citizen science activities, and seasonal "Swift Watch" events where residents can experience the spectacular evening flights of these aerial insect-eaters.
The project is modeled after NCWF’s chimney swift tower projects in Wilmington. Towers will be built using volunteer labor and community partnerships and will follow nationally recognized conservation guidelines for chimney swift tower construction. Local volunteers, schools, conservation organizations, and community groups will be invited to participate in construction, landscaping, and long-term habitat stewardship.
“At Enbridge Gas North Carolina, we believe strong communities and a healthy environment go hand in hand," said Julie Roper, Municipal & Stakeholder Engagement for Enbridge Gas North Carolina. “We are proud to support Concord Wildlife Alliance's Bringing the Swifts Home project, which will help restore critical habitat for chimney swifts while creating opportunities for residents to connect with nature. This project reflects the power of community partnerships to protect local wildlife and preserve meaningful traditions for future generations.”
Construction is expected to begin following final site selection and partner approvals. If you would like to help as a volunteer or invest in the ongoing work, visit www.ConcordWildlifeAlliance.com. The completed tower will stand as a lasting symbol of Concord's commitment to wildlife conservation and community stewardship.
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About Concord Wildlife Alliance
The Concord Wildlife Alliance is a chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation dedicated to protecting, conserving, and restoring local wildlife habitat while connecting all people to nature. Through education, habitat restoration, community partnerships, and volunteer engagement, the Alliance works to make Concord a healthier place for both wildlife and people. Learn More at www.concordwildlifealliance.com.
About North Carolina Wildlife Federation
North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) protecting, conserving, and restoring wildlife and habitat in North Carolina since 1945. Learn more at https://ncwf.org/.
About Enbridge Gas North Carolina
Enbridge Gas serves over 675,000 customers in 28 counties in North Carolina. The utility has safely provided customers with reliable and affordable natural gas service for almost a century. It is investing in innovations that modernize how energy is produced, delivered and used to support a lower-emission future. Enbridge Gas North Carolina is owned by Enbridge (ENB), a North American-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Visit enbridgegas.com/NorthCarolina to learn more.
Once common in North America, chimney swifts have experienced significant population declines as old masonry chimneys they depend upon for nesting and roosting have disappeared through demolition, renovation, and modern construction. NCWF encourages communities to protect existing chimneys or construct dedicated chimney swift towers to replace lost habitat.
The new tower will provide a safe nesting and roosting site while serving as an outdoor classroom and community gathering place. CWA plans to host educational programs, bird walks, citizen science activities, and seasonal "Swift Watch" events where residents can experience the spectacular evening flights of these aerial insect-eaters.
The project is modeled after NCWF’s chimney swift tower projects in Wilmington. Towers will be built using volunteer labor and community partnerships and will follow nationally recognized conservation guidelines for chimney swift tower construction. Local volunteers, schools, conservation organizations, and community groups will be invited to participate in construction, landscaping, and long-term habitat stewardship.
“At Enbridge Gas North Carolina, we believe strong communities and a healthy environment go hand in hand," said Julie Roper, Municipal & Stakeholder Engagement for Enbridge Gas North Carolina. “We are proud to support Concord Wildlife Alliance's Bringing the Swifts Home project, which will help restore critical habitat for chimney swifts while creating opportunities for residents to connect with nature. This project reflects the power of community partnerships to protect local wildlife and preserve meaningful traditions for future generations.”
Construction is expected to begin following final site selection and partner approvals. If you would like to help as a volunteer or invest in the ongoing work, visit www.ConcordWildlifeAlliance.com. The completed tower will stand as a lasting symbol of Concord's commitment to wildlife conservation and community stewardship.
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About Concord Wildlife Alliance
The Concord Wildlife Alliance is a chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation dedicated to protecting, conserving, and restoring local wildlife habitat while connecting all people to nature. Through education, habitat restoration, community partnerships, and volunteer engagement, the Alliance works to make Concord a healthier place for both wildlife and people. Learn More at www.concordwildlifealliance.com.
About North Carolina Wildlife Federation
North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) protecting, conserving, and restoring wildlife and habitat in North Carolina since 1945. Learn more at https://ncwf.org/.
About Enbridge Gas North Carolina
Enbridge Gas serves over 675,000 customers in 28 counties in North Carolina. The utility has safely provided customers with reliable and affordable natural gas service for almost a century. It is investing in innovations that modernize how energy is produced, delivered and used to support a lower-emission future. Enbridge Gas North Carolina is owned by Enbridge (ENB), a North American-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Visit enbridgegas.com/NorthCarolina to learn more.