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66 <br /> Town of Cary <br /> The Town of Cary's Land Development Ordinance and the following plans were reviewed: the Cary <br /> Community Plan (2017),Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Master Plan (2012), and Parks, <br /> Recreation & Cultural Resources Master Plan (2003). <br /> NATURAL RESOURCES PROTECTION <br /> Cary has three plans that address natural resources protection. In some cases,plans specifically aim to <br /> protect wildlife habitats and corridors. In addition, in October 2019 more than three-quarters of voters <br /> approved a bond financing referendum that will provide $112 million needed to finance parks-greenways- <br /> open space protection projects. <br /> Cary's comprehensive plan,the Cary Community Plan, under its Natural Resource Goals aims to: <br /> • "Continue to protect areas that are ecologically important and have a high wildlife habitat value." <br /> • "Work with developers to set aside important open space that provides trail connectivity,wildlife <br /> habitat corridors, and water quality protection." <br /> The plan also has a policy statement to: <br /> • "Protect and Restore Open Space and the Natural Environment: Protect and restore <br /> environmentally significant areas and either preserve or create green infrastructure throughout the <br /> Town and within the built environment." <br /> o Notably,the intent of this policy is to manage and protect natural communities,reduce <br /> forest fragmentation, and provide corridors for wildlife. It specifically aims for <br /> "interconnected ecosystems." <br /> The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Master Plan (2003) includes goals related to natural <br /> resources protection: <br /> • Goal 6 is to protect wetlands,woodlands and other natural areas and wildlife habitats as green <br /> infrastructure. <br /> • Goal 7 is to provide facilities that honor and enhance Cary's open space by providing natural <br /> areas and preserves,buffers and linkages to the overall open space system. <br /> o Approximately one-third of lands in new park development should be set aside to be held <br /> in their natural condition and should carry a stewardship plan. <br /> Under Chapter 7: Park Recommendations,the plan recommends that: <br /> • "The town [should] evaluate currently owned property and new acquisitions to preferentially set <br /> aside Conservation Areas(includes Preserves,Natural Areas, and Greenway Corridors)." <br /> The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Master Plan (2012) contains the most comprehensive <br /> natural resource protection policies and actions, especially as it relates to reducing habitat fragmentation: <br /> • Under GOAL 1,regarding types of parks in Cary,the goal calls for the protection of"areas that <br /> are ecologically important and have a high wildlife habitat value (e.g.,riparian corridors, forests, <br /> large sections of early successional habitat)."The following actions are recommended: <br /> "Utilize conservation planning tools to prioritize high value natural resources to acquire for <br /> preservation .... Acquisition criteria include:" <br /> o Broad corridors when possible <br /> A Landscape Plan for Wildlife Habitat Connectivity 53 <br />