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Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation Plan What is this plan? Local non-profit conservation organizations and governments from Orange, Chatham, Durham, and Wake counties are collaborating to identify high-priority landscape corridors that connect a network of critical wildlife habitats within the Jordan Lake watershed and across the “land bridge” between New Hope Creek (Cape Fear River Basin) and the Eno River (Neuse River Basin). The plan will use scientific analyses to identify locations of important habitats and corridors to help guide conservation efforts on a landscape scale through actions that are relevant and appropriate for the long-term persistence of native species and ecosystem services in a developing region, such as conservation agreements, adjustments to existing land use policies or ordinances, and land acquisition. Why plan for conservation? The loss of overall biological diversity in North Carolina – across all plant and animal groups – is largely caused by habitat loss and fragmentation. The Jordan Lake watershed is a prime example of an area under intense development pressure, but with the potential to preserve and link existing habitats to ensure landscape connectivity within and between the Eno River and New Hope Creek watersheds. Existing protected areas are in danger of becoming further isolated by roadways and other causes of habitat fragmentation, and in the face of increasing threats and environmental changes, these natural areas require protected landscape corridors to maintain ecosystem functions and processes. Without these connections, the existing patchwork of conservation lands will become further isolated, threatening their value and contribution to the long-term persistence of species and ecosystem services. To ensure the persistence of species and ecosystem services in this developing region, a multi-pronged and proactive approach is necessary to coordinate collaborative conservation action in our communities. Proactive conservation planning secures benefits for protecting water quality, the future of native plants and wildlife, our local economy, and working farms and forests. Who is paying for this? The NC Wildlife Resources Commission is providing cost-share assistance through its Partners for Green Growth program. Project partners are contributing staff and expertise. Matching funds are being supplied by Orange County, and the Botanical Garden Foundation, Inc., is leading this project, and welcomes your questions and comments. How do I find out more? If you are interested in learning more, please contact Johnny Randall at jrandall@unc.edu or 919-962-2380. You can also ask to be added to our e-mail list for periodic updates on the plan. The final project will be presented to a wide audience through public events and meetings with local government advisory boards and elected officials. June 2017 ƚƚĂĐŚŵĞŶƚϮ