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V. Conservation of Roadside Native Plants - Johnny Randall of the NC Botanical <br />Garden discussed efforts to conserve native plants along Orange County <br />roadsides. The BOCC approved a resolution prepared by the CFE in 2012 <br />regarding the conservation of roadside plants. Randall reported no significant <br />progress with this effort since then. Currently roadsides are thought to be the <br />last place where native flora from this area may remain. These areas were <br />maintained until recently by mowing, which replicated the action of large <br />herbivores. Over the past 15 years or so, with the increase in spraying herbicides <br />to manage these areas, these rare species are disappearing. <br />Johnny Randall is looking for additional volunteers or ideas from the CFE to <br />support roadside surveys, similar to a “bio-blitz”. The identification of rare plants <br />would help provide support for making changes to management practices. It was <br />discussed that the CFE could help amplify this message and may include a <br />section on this in the State of the Environment report. <br />VI. CFE Facebook Page - Bouma provided an update on the new CFE Facebook <br />page. The page is now active and available to the CFE for use as an outreach <br />tool. Bouma had already made the first post on behalf of O’Conno r to advertise a <br />movie on pollinators (“Hometown Habitat “) over the Father’s Day weekend. CFE <br />members stated that due to the small potential for accidentally posting <br />inappropriate content to the site, that they would be most comfortable letting staff <br />post to the site on their behalf. <br />VII. CFE Committee Meetings - Due to the lateness of the hour, Committees did not <br />have breakout meetings. <br />VIII. Updates and Information Items – information on the following items was <br />provided: <br />x Continuing Action Items from previous CFE meetings <br /> SOE 2019 Planning <br />x Carrboro Screening of Hometown Habitat Movie <br />x NC Renewable Energy Tax Breaks Article <br />x Draft Regional Conservation Plan <br />IX. Adjournment – Cada motioned to adjourn, and Gray seconded. Meeting <br />adjourned at 9:00. <br />