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Chapter 6: Natural and Cultural Systems Element <br /> STATUS OF RARE PLANTS AND ANIMALS <br /> The conversion of natural lands to urban or suburban uses results in <br /> habitat loss for native plants and animals, and can result in loss of <br /> native species. The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program maintains <br /> a list of rare plant and animal species and classifies them as <br /> endangered, threatened or species of concern. The status of Orange <br /> County's rare plant and animal species is provided in Appendix L. <br /> Since 2002 three species (Carolina darter, sharp-shinned hawk, small <br /> whorled pogonia) were changed from the "Current" to the "Historic" <br /> category, meaning that they have not been observed in Orange County <br /> during the past 20 years. The 2004 update of the Inventory of Natural <br /> Areas and Wildlife Habitat for Orange County, North Carolina <br /> confirmed the previous documentation of several rare species within <br /> the county's natural areas and added one new species, the Carolina <br /> Ladle Crayfish. <br /> LAND PROTECTION EFFORTS <br /> Early efforts to conserve land in Orange County include Duke <br /> University's purchase of large tracts of land (including abandoned <br /> farmland) in the 1920s and 30s. The land was managed for forestry <br /> research and education, and later for timber production. Duke Forest <br /> continued to grow and many sections were recognized for their <br /> conservation value. In 2004, Duke University registered 1 ,220 acres <br /> for voluntary protection with the North Carolina Natural Heritage <br /> Program. Today, Duke is the largest landowner in the County, owning <br /> more than 5,000 acres of land. Duke Forest provides an excellent <br /> model of sustainable land management. <br /> The State of North Carolina began purchasing lands for the new Eno <br /> River State Park beginning in the 1970s. The linear park was <br /> established around large natural areas associated with the river. <br /> Acquisition of land along the Eno from Durham to Hillsborough <br /> continues today pursuant to the state park master plan. Now more <br /> than two-thirds of the state park (3,160 acres) is in Orange County. <br /> The State has also acquired 160 acres along the Eno near Hillsborough <br /> for Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. <br /> In the 1980s the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) started <br /> acquiring lands in Bingham Township for the Cane Creek Reservoir and <br /> later acquired more land in the watershed to protect drinking water <br /> supplies. In 1984 the University of North Carolina dedicated 367 acres <br /> as the Mason Farm Biological Reserve. <br /> During the 1980s and 1990s the Triangle Land Conservancy, the Eno <br /> River Association, and others used the aforementioned inventories and <br /> plans to protect critical resource lands along important river corridors. <br /> Significant natural resource lands are also protected as part of the <br /> development approval process administered by the Orange County <br /> Planning Department. The Unified <br /> Development Ordinance requires that important natural resources be <br /> identified and avoided. Some of those areas are set aside as private <br /> open space or are dedicated to the County for open space and low- <br /> Ora4WCourity Compre,h.ev�&P la w Page 6-63 <br />