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t• a :.,a r_ _ems - - <br /> S v ' <br /> An 9 <br /> 4. <br /> 49. <br /> Environmental Quality Indicator : <br /> Ir <br /> � , ' '; d i �� �•V ~. � .�i\' ' ,� � ... ,••r•� , - ' i S � •S '� '� A • { �J ' � 1 ,.. '`/ d .. 1 : ' �..o+ , � 'te li. <br /> 1. <br /> i. <br /> Natural areas are important for several reasons : they provide critical <br /> Why indicator <br /> was selected I plant and animal habitat ; they ensure ecological integrity ; they preserve <br /> i biodiversity ; they show us how certain parts of the county naturally look <br /> �. <br /> and function without human occupation ; and they offer respite and j <br /> enjoyment to Wake County citizens seeking refuge from the noise , <br /> J � <br /> crowds , and hectic pace of city life . As an environmental indicator, <br /> I natural areas serve as a study comparison between natural and human - i <br /> I <br /> impacted environments . <br /> How indicator This information was obtained from the 1993 Albemarle Pamlico Estuarine <br /> Study - Phase III by the NC Natural Heritage Program within the NC DIVI - <br /> was measured <br /> { sion of State Parks and Recreation — DENR . <br /> The trend <br /> As Wake County ' s human population increases , the amount of county <br /> land left in its natural state decreases due to the inevitable expansion and <br /> in Wake County <br /> conversion to urbanization . Even though Wake County has become very <br /> urban , it has 59 natural areas identified and inventoried by the NC Natural <br /> Heritage Program . Some of these areas are in private . ownership and others <br /> are owned by local governments or North Carolina State University. <br /> Some areas are protected by conservation easements or other special <br /> i <br /> designations , and others await prioritization to assess their immediate <br /> need for conservation . <br /> i <br /> i Through this report, the Wake County Environmental Network encourages <br /> The Wake County <br /> local government officials to protect and conserve all of Wake County 's <br /> Government response <br /> I significant natural areas through open space and greenway planning . <br /> i Wake Soil & Water Conservation District recently discovered a " new " <br /> - t <br /> flatrock community at the Wake County Office Park . Site plans for a <br /> proposed radio tower and building were altered to redirect stormwater <br /> runoff and to lessen the impact of construction . Such actions serve to <br /> protect unique sites and to serve as a role model to other municipalities . <br /> 29 <br />