Agenda 05-07-24; 8-a - Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 1 in the four-county region for use in prioritizing conservation efforts inclusion into local policies and 2 plans. 3 The group determined the need for a spatial analysis and mapping effort to demonstrate the most 4 vital connections between conserved and undeveloped areas for wildlife and the ecosystem types 5 which support them. 6 7 Funding was secured from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, with additional support from 8 Orange County, to hire a consultant to conduct the spatial analysis, research the data, and create 9 the analysis layers and associated maps. Through collaborative brainstorming sessions, three 10 keystone species were identified to best represent their distinctive habitats and other associated 11 animals, as well as their corridor, or connectivity, requirements. These species and their 12 respective habitats are as follows: 13 14 - Eastern Box Turtle (Dry-Wet Mixed Hardwood-Pine Forests) 15 - Bobcat (Sparsely Settled Mixed Habitats) 16 - Four Toed Salamander (Wet-mesic Hardwood Forests) 17 18 This effort generated enhanced mapping layers that represented the habitat areas for each animal 19 and its associated guild, and these layers were combined with land use layers to create a habitat- 20 corridor analysis. These results and associated recommendations were presented at the 2019 21 Environmental Summit at the NC Botanical Gardens, hosted by the Commission for the 22 Environment (CFE). The CFE also requested an additional presentation and opportunity for in- 23 depth discussion of recommendations, which was conducted at the CFE's March 2020 meeting. 24 25 In 2020, the group was awarded a Catalyst Fund grant from the Network for Landscape 26 Conservation to form a strategic action plan to implement the report findings. A coordinator was 27 hired, and a steering committee was formed with representatives from Orange and Durham 28 counties, Eno River Association, Triangle Land Conservancy, Duke University's Duke Forest, NC 29 Wildlife Resources Commission, and the NC Botanical Gardens. Over the next two years, the 30 steering committee worked to engage a large group of stakeholders and volunteers from around 31 the study area to draft a strategic action plan outlining actions necessary for ensuring 32 conservation connectivity. Four subcommittee groups were separated by specialty and/or direct 33 interest — Education and Outreach, Land Use, Conservation, and Transportation. The final draft 34 of the action plan was presented at a celebration event in the Robin Jacobs Pavilion at the Eno 35 River Association's Confluence Natural Area in October 2022. 36 37 The Board of Commissioners received a copy of the report and a cover memorandum in March 38 2023 as an Information Item. The report attached herein is the same, but an updated map has 39 been attached to reflect updated and included data. 40 41 In 2023, Durham County, utilizing funds from a Burt's Bees grant program, expanded the report 42 data and mapping area to include the entirety of Durham County, particularly of the Upper Neuse 43 Watershed. This expansion benefitted Orange County by expanding the data and mapping 44 analysis to the northern most areas of the County, leaving only a portion of the Cane Creek and 45 Haw River Watershed as area for an expanded analysis. 46 47 The findings of the report have significant implications and potential guidance for local 48 conservation programs, such as the County's Lands Legacy Program and other upcoming plans. 49 As such, value was seen in sharing this Strategic Plan with the Board at this time, as local 50 conservation plans are being updated in the coming months. 51