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1 <br /> ORANGECOUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: January 21, 1997 <br /> Agenda Abstract <br /> Item# /0 —a- <br /> SUBJECT: WILDLIFE CORRIDOR STUDY-TRIANGLE LAND CONSERVANCY <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: Yes ___X_No <br /> BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: Yes X No <br /> ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Planning Director/X2585 <br /> Preservation Planner/X2594 <br /> PHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Mebane 227-2031 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Chapel Hill 967-9251 <br /> PURPOSE: To hear a status report on the Wildlife Corridor Study. <br /> BACKGROUND: In September, 1995, the Board of Commissioners approved funding of a Wildlife Corridor <br /> Study to be conducted by the Triangle Land Conservancy. The Corridor Study is a follow- <br /> up phase of the 1988 Inventory of the Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats of Orange <br /> Copy <br /> This project will include mapping of the forested areas of the County to determine the <br /> extent of different forest types. The study will identify specific habitat areas based on the <br /> type of vegetative cover as determined from aerial photography. The study will also <br /> determine the degree to which forested areas have been fragmented. Priority will be <br /> given to identifying large, contiguous areas of unfragmented hardwood forest, which is the <br /> most important habitat for a diversity of wildlife species. <br /> In addition to mapping of wildlife corridors, the study will propose specific <br /> recommendations for protection of wildlife and its habitat. <br /> The Wildlife Corridor Study is being conducted by Steven Hall, a biologist with the NC <br /> Natural Heritage Program, and Haven Wiley, Professor of Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill, <br /> under the guidance of the Triangle Land Conservancy. The Information Services Division <br /> is providing GIS support. <br /> RECOMMENDATION: For information purposes only. The Wildlife Corridor Study is scheduled for completion <br /> in March, 1997. <br />