Agenda 04-16-24; 6-a - Lands Legacy Action Plan for 2024-2027

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 16, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 6-a SUBJECT: Lands Legacy Action Plan for 2024-2027 DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Lands Legacy Program Overview David Stancil, DEAPR Director, 919-245- 2. Lands Legacy Action Plan (2024-27) 2522 with Cover Memorandum Christian Hirni, Land Conservation 3. Conservation and Connectivity Maps Manager, 919-245-2514 Current Action Plan can be found at https://www.co.orange.nc.us/DocumentC enter/View/7662/Lands-Legacy-Action- Plan-2018-2020 PURPOSE: To consider adoption of the Lands Legacy Action Plan for the years 2024-2027. BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners established the Lands Legacy Program on April 4, 2000. Through this program, Orange County seeks to protect its most critical natural and cultural resources through a variety of voluntary means. Over the 24 years of the program, Orange County has acquired land for eight (8) parks and nature preserves, and secured 46 conservation easements, including 28 active farms, for a current total of 2,973 acres of farmland and open space in the Eno River, Cane Creek, Little River, and New Hope Creek watersheds. Over that same period the County helped other partners protect an additional 1,338 acres of sensitive resource lands. Many of these projects are accomplished in partnership with other conservation entities, including the Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Association, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, the Orange NRCS/Soil & Water Conservation District, State and federal trust funds, and adjoining local governments. With those partnerships, Orange County has been awarded over $6.1 million in grants for conserving farms and open space, and for park acquisition or construction. The Lands Legacy Program is directed by the BOCC's adoption of an Action Plan. The proposed 2024-2027 Action Plan reflects acquisition priorities for the next three years. Action Plan development is aided by input from advisory boards: • the Commission for the Environment (for connectivity between natural and protected areas, natural heritage sites, riparian forest buffers to benefit climate resiliency, cultural heritage sites, and the Mountains to Sea Trail);