Below is a short article by NECSW member Melissa Rooney, who knew Becky Heron both personally and as an activist. We offer our condolences to Heron’s family and friends and we hope local government will continue Heron’s commitment to environmental preservation and citizen participation in government decisionmaking.

Northeast Creek Streamwatch mourns the passing of former county commissioner Becky Heron, who died on January 23, 2014. Among her many legacies, Becky shifted Board of Commissioners meetings from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., so citizens could attend and have their voices heard. She was at the forefront in developing the first land-use plan for Durham County, and she worked to install the county’s first animal control ordinance. We are particularly grateful to Becky for her sincere and determined efforts to protect our waterways, open spaces, and our drinking water. Many times throughout her tenure, Becky acted to protected the Northeast Creek bottomlands, including when Durham Public Schools bought a environmentally sensitive tract along Scott King Road at risk of being turned into a subdivision for a future school, when high-density zoning was sought for a development in the 751 Corridor called Jordan at Southpoint, and when developers applied to remove protections for a South-Durham portion of Jordan lake and, later, to rezone the area for a high-density development called 751 South on the banks of Jordan Lake. Becky was unafraid to confront special interests and to put the long-term interests of Durham and its citizens (including wildlife and domestic animals) first. She was an active presence in every facet of Durham life — most memorable for us is her consistent participation in the Parkwood Holiday Parade. Becky Heron lives on in the water and woodland areas that she worked so hard to protect and that will continue to harbor her namesake and the totem of the Northeast Creek Streamwatch, the great blue heron.