Shaping Orange County Task Force memo

Browse Search

SOIL & WATER mass= CONSERVATION Orange Soil and Water Conservation District 306 Revere Road • P . O . Box 8181 Hillsborough , NC 27278 • Phone : (919) 732- 8181 • Ext . 2750 Fax : (919 ) 732=7559 TO : John Link, County Manager FROM : Brent Bogue � Soil and Water Conservation District RE : Status Report on — Recommendations of the Shaping Orange County ' s Future Task Force Orange Soil and Water Conservation office has accomplished or plans to accomplish the following items : Put Community Building First Goal 1 : ( Mg) Establish partnerships between urban and rural residents through community support for local farming . • Assist students and landowners with information and educational activities about farming activities , such as farmers ' markets, locally grown produce, farm tours , and educational activities on farms . • Encourage farmers to participate in local Boards , and promote their farming activities . • Educate urban and non- agricultural rural landowners about the environmental benefits of farming and the normal activities that occur on a farm (including the odors and noises) . Environment and Land Use Goal 2 : : Conserve Natural Areas , Farmland and Other Important Open Space : (ENV- 2 - 4) Educate and encourage homeowners, landscapers, and nurseries to use native or non- invasive exotic plants in landscaping . • Continue to work with Duke Forest, (Duke University) on collection/harvest of native warm- season grasses along road right- of--ways, and to encourage planting of these species on road bank, power line right- of--ways , and private property . • Continue to work with UNC Botanical Gardens and the Niche Gardens on native plant species that will be used on a wetland restoration site in southern Orange County . • Encourage landowners to plant native wildlife plantings that will increase/enhance wildlife habitat .