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7. Chestnut Ridge: This xeric forest (E01 AND EO2) is an important <br />upland forest, comprised largely of chestnut oak, a relatively large tract <br />of forest, and also is an important upland area for landscape <br />connectivity. It is presently privately awned and thus its long-term <br />status is insecure. Allegedly there has been some fragmentation from <br />residential development. The extent of this fragmentation needs to be <br />assessed, and the current biological value of the site determined. <br />Conservation strategy would then be based on current integrity. <br />S. River corridors: Eno River, N and S forks of the Little River: (see <br />above) . Conservation efforts should focus on protection of the Upper <br />Eno basin, and along both the North and South Forks of the Little River, <br />for water quality protection, rare species protection, and for the <br />maintenance of wildlife corridors. <br />9. Forest southwest of Cedar Grove: a large tract of forest was identified <br />southwest of Cedar Grove by LWWI and II. This forest was identified <br />from aerial photographs solely based on its size. It should be surveyed <br />for biological importance. Its current status is not known. <br />10. Pickard's Mountain: While Pickard's Mountain is now relatively secure, <br />in environmentally responsible private hands, it remains an area of <br />biological importance, primarily by virtue of its size and its <br />unfragmented status. The County should be kept apprised of the status <br />of this land and perhaps work with the landowner to encourage putting <br />the tract, or parts of it, under conservation easement. Also, the County <br />should work to encourage habitat connectivity between Pickard's <br />Mountain and Bald Mountain, through easements and/or acquisition. <br />12 <br />