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RES-2014-034 2 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JUDD EDEBURN FOR HIS WORK <br /> WITH DUKE FOREST <br /> WHEREAS, Judson "Judd" Edeburn started working as the Resource Manager for Duke Forest in <br /> 1978, and Duke Forest is located in portions of Durham, Orange and Alamance counties; <br /> and, <br /> WHEREAS, Duke University is the largest property owner in Orange County due to the presence of <br /> Duke Forest; and, <br /> WHEREAS, Duke Forest anchors the Rural Buffer, a land use creation that protects open space and <br /> sensitive natural resources in southern Orange County; and, <br /> WHEREAS, Duke Forest has evolved to a teaching and research laboratory, has grown to over 7,000 <br /> acres with sections registered as a North Carolina Natural Heritage Site, and has hosted <br /> an estimated 164,000 visitors in a single year; and, <br /> WHEREAS, Edeburn's commitment to land conservation helped to facilitate Orange County's <br /> purchase of portions of Duke Forest no longer needed by the University including the <br /> McGowan Creek Preserve near the Eno River and Efland and at New Hope Preserve on <br /> Erwin Road; and, <br /> WHEREAS, under Edeburn's stewardship, Duke Forest has managed to maintain its research mission <br /> while facilitating the use of significant portions of the acreage for recreation by Orange <br /> County residents; and, <br /> WHEREAS, in a spirit of collaboration, Edeburn worked with Orange County to designate a portion <br /> of Duke Forest to serve as the required buffer for the construction and demolition landfill <br /> north of Eubanks Road; and, <br /> WHEREAS, Edeburn's low-key but determined advocacy for Duke Forest has enabled it to withstand <br /> repeated efforts by University leadership to convert these key lands to development uses <br /> that would forever change their character and that of the communities that abut them; <br /> and, <br /> WHEREAS, Judd Edeburn has led the growth of Duke Forest for over 35 years — growth of both the <br /> ecosystem and of research projects; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby <br /> recognize Judd Edeburn for his progress in environmental research and commitment to <br /> the preservation of natural resources globally, including Orange County, and we do <br /> hereby wish him well in his retirement and future endeavors. <br /> This the third day of June 2014. <br /> Barry Jacobs, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />