Meeting+2014+Nov+6

//**WakeNature Preserves Partnership Meeting**//
Thursday 8:30-10 Walnut Creek Wetland Center 950 Peterson St, Raleigh, NC 27610

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 * Attendance Notes**


 * Annotated Agenda Items**

//Please add items you'd like to see on the agenda by 5PM Tues before the meeting.//

//Please add your pre-meeting discussion of these items under the item right here on the agenda, or on the appropriate linked page.//


 * Introductions as needed**

// **Steering** // ** Committee ** (Chris Snow, chairman) GOAL: ** Increase momentum ** by growing active signatory membership.
 * Time to seek nominations for two Steering Committee members
 * December meeting will be the annual wrap-up/planning for next year meeting


 * NOTES**
 * Nominations for two Steering Committee members (Scott and Chris’ positions), if folks are interested in serving, let Chris know. If you wish to nominate someone, please talk with that person first.
 * December meeting - Annual wrap-up/planning for next year…
 * Looking back at what we accomplished in 2014
 * Planning for 2015
 * One goal John has already proposed is seeking a grant to assist with the website and map.
 * Growing the WakeNature group.
 * 501-c-3 status – Should we apply? Easier to handle grants and donations. Or should we continue to work through a third party – TLC, Wake Audubon? Gary mentioned another potential partner in Bland Landscaping.

//**Promotion Committee**// (Kaytee Smith, chairwoman) GOAL: ** Tell the story ** of the highest quality natural areas in Wake County and the stewardship they have and need.
 * John Connors would like to open up a conversation about finding some grant money to tackle some of the things we want to do, and wanted to know if anyone was interested in helping. For example, asking partners to do substantial work on the website is asking a lot, especially when their day job keeps them really busy. Wake Audubon just worked with a consultant to revise the Wake Audubon website, and this might be a model to follow, if grant money were available.


 * NOTES**
 * Kaytee was not in attendance, but the conversation here was a continuation of the conversation on finding some grant money to tackle some of the things we want to do.

//**Inventory Committee**// (Scott Pohlman, chairman) GOAL: ** Places on the ground ** - designate publicly accessible WakeNature Preserves.
 * Potential nomination of Apex Nature Park for Wake Wonder (see notes from last month's meeting for results of inventory)
 * Inventory Committee to identify top 20 potential WakeWonder sites


 * NOTES**
 * WakeWonder and how we designate one… Does not seem to be an application for a WakeWonder as there is for Preserve designation. Do we require a management plan? Sentiment seemed to be yes, at least a plan to manage the Wonder. Inventory Committee to investigate this.
 * A number of suggestions were made to identify the top 20 potential WakeWonder sites in the County – Lake Johnson’s Big-leaf Magnolia, Harris Lake’s Long Leaf Pine stand, etc… Could use the data collected during the Data-RoundUp, potential collaboration with Charlynne and her students.

//**Capacity Committee**// (Gary Blank, chairman) GOAL: ** Bring resource managers together ** to carry out appropriate stewardship of the highest quality natural areas in Wake County.
 * Turnipseed workday - looking at November - would a Friday be best?
 * Milkweed planting for monarchs
 * Another possible workday to move sumac from Gary Blank's house
 * Planning for Bio-blitz


 * NOTES**
 * Turnipseed workday November 21 – ½ day start in the morning
 * John brought up the USFWS initiative to plant common Milkweed for monarchs. Looking at either planting seed, or working locally to grow plants in greenhouses. Seem to be a high priority right now. Looking for large areas, parks, open space, etc., not necessarily school site, etc.
 * Gary discussed the sumac reintroduction at Turnipseed. He has a student interested in leading the team and secured greenhouse space on campus so the plants can get established over the winter for spring planting.
 * BioBlitz – As we continue to plan for the Spring bioblitz, Amy Corbally will be at the meeting to assist with logistics of the park and facilities. David mentioned offering the Lodge for folks who might travel from outside the area (free lodging). Discussed sponsorships to help with cost – primarily food and the public participation aspect – possibly naturalist leading groups of the public around and showcasing what the researcher is working on rather than the public actually being involved in the research.

//**Other Business**//
Lake Crabtree update