Meeting+2010+Jun+17

Thursday 2010 Jun 17 8:30-10 1214 Jordan Hall, NCSU Campus
 * Wake County Nature Preserves Meeting**

Present: Snow, Permulter, Ramsey, Willis, Connors, Schmidt, Connors, Steelman, Pohlman, Cienek, Alexander, Hess
 * Attendance Notes**

Main thing is we want to know what our options are and the +/- of each option.
 * Registering our name** - there had been discussion in the past about registering our name with the Secretary of State so that we protect WakeNature as our identity. It's probably time to do this. We need to protect WakeNature Preserves Partnership and, if we go for it, our tag-line, Promising Nature a Future. Amanda Willis is looking into it and should have a report for us.


 * NOTES**
 * Main reasons to incorporate a nonprofit are to get tax exempt status and avoid personal liability
 * We can't use the word "partnership" in our name, because that's a specific type of legal entity
 * Costs: incorporation $60 (one time); can reserve name for a year for about $20; also need a corporate seal (there's a corporation kit you can buy)
 * Annual reporting requirement
 * Ran out of time - discussion and decision postponed to next meeting


 * Other name issue** - In the definition and criteria, we have Wake Natural Wonder. I propose we change that to WakeNatural Wonder, with WakeWonder for short. Please note there are other proposed changes to the criteria that are coming out of working through the application process - we are not yet ready for action on these. (Hess)

From Jamie: See bottom of Resources page for more information about other organizations' articles and bylaws.

Aimee gave an update on her Ecosystem Services project. She will be looking at publicly managed lands within Wake County and identifying the ecosystem services provided by these lands. Aimee asked 3 questions of the group
 * Update on Ecosystem Services Study**-- Aimee Schmidt

1) Conservation vs. conversion trends. Group would like to see both actual open space conservation and past/future conversion trends if data are available. Kathy Hebert (?) has conducted research at UNC and may be helpful here with some of the conversion info. Also, planning departments may have permits that indicate where development is occuring for conversion rates in Wake County. 2) What are the priority areas for study? Group suggested the following areas have priority for us. These are in no specific order. They could also be lumped. AQ, WQ, Stormwater, Pollination, Biodiversity, Wildlife habitat, Recreation, Environmental Science and Education. The ability to proceed will be limited by data that are available and data that fit within the software to be utilized. 3) What to do about WAP? If we don't have data about priority habitat in Wake County by the time Aimee does her work, what do we do? One idea was to assemble a panel of "experts" who could pass judgment on whether priority habitat existed on open space parcels. It is not clear if this data could be made compatible with the GIS requirements needed for the project in a timely manner. Another idea was to use the data we have for Tunipseed and make that into a case study/example to illustrate the point. Finally, state parks have ckecklists that could be used. Again it is not clear how the last two would work givin the GIS requirements for the project.


 * N&O field trip and article:** a freelance journalist for the N&O would like to write an article about Turnipseed. Here is an excerpt from his email:

I have been given the green light by the News & Observer to to a story about the nature preserve at the Turnipseed property off Poole Road in SE Raleigh. This is for the Monday science page and I would do it from an environmental angle. Questions I'm interested in exploring are:


 * Is this Raleigh's first nature preserve or are there others? How about in the county as a whole?
 * How unusual is it to find such robust nature in the middle of the city? Does it tell us anything about the overall environmental health of the city?
 * Why is it a good idea to preserve nature at this site?

I would like to do this as soon as is convenient for you and Mr. Connors. I can meet you at the site on just about any morning. Thanks in advance. Dan Holly

From george: We need to increase clarity about where this site is and who owns and manages it. It's not in SE Raleigh, and it's not a Raleigh property. Also, is this an opportunity for a broader piece about WNPP? It's very important to get Chris involved in this discussion before proceeding.


 * NOTES**
 * This could be a good opportunity
 * Concern is that infrastructure to open specific Turnipseed property is not ready for public access
 * Alternative suggestion was to pull together a press release with the information we'd like to see publicized
 * Ramsey will draft a response saying that we're not really ready yet because there isn't a WakeNature Preserve yet. We'll invite Dan to the Lupine planting.


 * Volunteer Activity Day Planned**

Lupinius perennis (Lupine) is a beautiful plant that is rarely found within the piedmont region of North Carolina. The staff of the Wake County Open Space Program would like to invite willing volunteers to help us plant lupine seeds. We are planting the seeds in an effort to help restore a native piedmont prairie ecosystem.

Date: June 23, 2010 Time: 8:30-11:30 Where to meet: 1556 Pleasants Rd, Wendell, NC What to bring: Please wear clothing appropriate for light hiking and planting, bug spray, water, and personal snacks


 * NOTES**
 * Looks like about 12 people at least so far
 * It's not going to rain (according to Louise)


 * Summertime volunteer activities--** update from Perlmutter and DiscoverLife, CNR workday, need to coordinate with LaTroya if/when this moves forward.

From Gary P.: Aiming for a 1-2 day visit to Turnipseed in mid-July with photographers from Discover Life to photodocument listed plants that lack photovouchers on the Discover Life website. This is to assist in Discover Life's effort to create a guide to Turnipseed's plants. We need a botanist who can help us in the field identifying target plants for the photographers (plus any unlisted plants). Misty Buchanan (NHP) is available in mid-July. Dates yet to be scheduled.


 * NOTES**
 * We need a botanist who knows the plants out there - looks like Misty Buchanan (NHP) will do
 * Bob Peet might have a list of vascular plants in Wake County, but there is no detailed inventory available

From george: CNR workdays available in July and August. Morning only is recommended, because of heat, and we need to let Sarah Slover know right after this meeting, esp if we want July. We need to know what we're doing and how many people we want.

From george: Another possibility is to set up something for the incoming grad students on either Th/Fr 13/14 Aug. We could prob get 5-6 students. This might be better, as Sarah informs me potential staff volunteers may be reluctant to deal with the heat.


 * NOTES**
 * Options include (1) Plant inventory, (2) Invasive species removal (3) PULSE survey
 * Snow will consider and report back in July
 * Hess will tell Slover we would like to do the grad student day rather than the CNR day for the summer


 * Other notes** - Cancel 1 July meeting