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5 / 26 / 99 2 . Wildlife Corridors In 1988 , the Triangle Land Conservancy developed an Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats for Orange County . In identifying 64 of the most significant sites countywide , the Inventory also identified and addressed the importance of preserving wildlife corridors along selected streams and ridges as connectors . These connectors provide habitat and allow migrating wildlife to move between larger open land masses and water bodies . In many of these corridors a primitive trail system exists , formed by years of use by wildlife and local hikers , although many of the lands in the corridor are privately - held . The need for this green skeleton will increase in the future as development continues to occur . The proposed wildlife corridor network in the 1988 Inventory connects the Jordan Lake lands to University Lake , and Cane Creek Reservoir to the Eno River and Little River . This corridor has been incorporated in the Orange County Comprehensive Plan as part of the Resource Protection Area category . Much of the wildlife corridor lies within floodplain or poorly - drained land that would not be developed , but important overland connectors exist along several ridges . Attempts to protect this corridor in its natural state are currently pursued through the County 's voluntary Flexible Development ordinance . Other corridors may also be important to the natural eco - system and wildlife habitat . 3 . Linkages between Greenways and Linear Parks There are clear distinctions between greenways designed for human recreational use and wildlife corridors to be maintained in a natural state . A third component of the system is the existing / planned network of open space in the County , areas such as Eno River State Park , Duke Forest , and the planned Riverwalk in Hillsborough . These areas are apparent as ` nodes " or junctions in the green infrastructure of the County , often connected by stream or wildlife corridors . This type of network also exists in the urban areas , where greenways serve to connect many Town parks . As the County and towns continue to grow and develop , retention of a green corridor concept will be important . Additionally , ways to link rural linear parks and open space accessible to the public to Town greenways at a few key junctions could greatly expand low - impact recreational opportunities . Identification of strategic corridors ( rural trail links ) that can tie these pieces of the open space network will be needed in the long - term . 21