Meeting+2012+Nov+1

//**Wake County Nature Preserves Meeting**//
Thursday 8:30-10

** Walnut Creek Wetland Center **
Raleigh's web page for Walnut Creek Wetland Center Google map location (Wetland Center building is at corner of Peterson & State)
 * Little Rock Creek Room **
 * 950 Peterson Street, Raleigh NC. **

Tweet about this meeting ... media type="custom" key="9797796"

Leigh Ann Hammerbacher, John Connors, Gary Blank, Chris Butts, Emily Ander, Scott Pohlman Lobsinger out (renewing prescribed burn certification) Hess out on business travel Miller out (conflicting meeting) Melissa Salter was ill, and could not make the meeting
 * 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**

//**Promotion Committee**// ( chair?)
GOALS: Create more public awareness and appreciation of our highest quality natural areas in Wake County. In 2012 we will: 1) develop a website (completed); 2) maintain/update the website (on-going); 3) promote WakeNature through one or more Stewardship Awards (in process); 4) Promote WakeNature by holding a training session for resource managers (being planned); 5) Create promotional materials to get the message of WakeNature out to a broader audience; 6) Work on fundraising provided key fundable priorities are identified


 * Signs**
 * Update
 * Proposed goals for Raleigh Parks of the two (2) signs are to ...
 * 1) Orient the public to Anderson Point Park
 * 2) Explain the wildlife value of habitat mosaics that the park provides
 * 3) Highlight the meadows and explain why meadows are so uncommon in North Carolina and why so many of North Carolina’s Priority Wildlife Species are meadow dependent species
 * 4) Publicize the mowing management technique the City uses and the benefits of mowing only portions of a meadow each season to maintain constant winter cover
 * 5) Provide a detailed habitat map that park visitors can return to, to explore and better appreciate the park’s natural diversity
 * 6) Contribute to 2030 Comp Plan goals to manage and interpret wildlife habitat in city parks and greenways and to collaborate with WakeNature Preserves Partnership, the Wildlife Resources Commission and other relevant stakeholders.


 * Draft signs for comments ... AndersonPointHabitat and EasternMeadowlark are the main proposed signs; GoldfinchSeasons is another one to help direct some of our discussion.
 * [[file:AndersonPointHabitat.pdf]][[file:EasternMeadowlark.pdf]][[file:GoldfinchSeasons.pdf]]
 * Still no word from Audubon on funds - I (Hess) think we should assume we're not getting any funds from them this time - so what is the final cost and source of funds, and how will they be paid?
 * Funding acknowledgement / logos - who should be on? how would we like it done? WakeNature, NC Forest Service, TLC, Audubon are the possibilities. Audubon still on because of prior work they did on this project and their efforts in the meadow.

**NOTES:** At the meeting, Leigh Ann indicated that to comply with the grant, she is paying for items prior to production. The signs will be paid for by Nov 2, with 10 12” x 18” WakeNature signs ordered, in addition to the Anderson Point Park sign(s). John Connors will see if Audubon still supports the new signs, and wants to have Audubon logo on it. Melissa Salter is working to find the original designs. John agrees that it would be good to have a sign in the wetland, as the Neuse River Greenway trail will increasingly bring people through there. Leigh Ann suggested that we move forward on one of the less complex information signs, (e.g. the “confluence” concept, still in draft), and work a little bit longer on the meadow sign, to get more agreement. Noted that the confluence sign is good fit with the funding. It was agreed that all will look at the text to see if we can make it more fun/engaging.

//**Inventory Committee**// **(Scott Pohlman, chairman)**
GOALS: 1) to compile a list of potential WakeNature preserve sites that contain examples of excellent ecological resources that either are being managed for their sustainability or are in need of management, 2) select two potential sites to focus on resource inventory building and management plan development for WakeNature Preserve designation. Focus sites for 2012 include TLC's Swift Creek Bluffs (nearly complete) and City of Raleigh's Lake Johnson Park. With Swift Creek Bluffs nearly complete, a third site for focus is an assemblage of properties in the Marks Creek watershed near Turnipseed: Beech, Williamson and West tracts.


 * WakeNature Mapper**
 * Update - latest version is here ... @http://hampton.cnr.ncsu.edu/flex/cmbutts/WNPPv3_9.html
 * Kaytee is working with Chris and others on the informational pages for each site we link. She's created a prototype for Lake Johnson here ... @http://wakenature.wordpress.com/lake-johnson-park/. Does anyone have any comments?
 * <>
 * How are we going to complete content for the site information pages? Kaytee can do the web work, but will need content.

**NOTES:**
 * Leigh Ann pointed out that The Rocks (one of the proposed natural areas to highlight on the Mapper tool), may not have good access. The other natural area in that category is Mitchells Mill, which would be a good place for WNPP to focus some effort in the future. For one thing, it would be a good way to engage State Parks.
 * Chris has put a lot of flexibility in the Mapper tool for us. Leigh Ann pointed out that future students can update when new lands are protected, but that we can delete things pretty quickly if we need to. Discussion turned to adding a disclaimer, and there was agreement that we should add a disclaimer about liability, noting that the site is only for information purposes, and to encourage access only to specific public sites. “Please check with the landowner/manager for information about access to areas noted as ‘other parks and open spaces.’”
 * Chris was questioned about administrative access. Is it restricted? Chris will be checking in with Charlynne on a lot of topics that involved continuity, (e.g. password). He will also check on a counter, to track how many users the site has.
 * Leigh Ann noted that Kaytee has some funding to work on the website/wordpresss, and to do a brochure.
 * For the WakeNature Mapper, within two weeks, we need: Items 1 and 2 are the most important. Scott is working on those, and Brooke is helping with Item 3
 * 1) Photos
 * 2) Address
 * 3) Content


 * Swift Creek Assemblage**
 * Site visit was scheduled for Fri 26 Oct - update?
 * Next steps and schedule for completion?


 * NOTES:**
 * The team conducted the site visit as scheduled, discussed the inter-connectivity issues and problematic aspects of planning for three ownerships.
 * The team decided that each member would review the plan with an expectation of meeting to discuss and aim for a decision in January.
 * Meanwhile, Leigh Ann may address some editorial questions and clarification matters.

//**Capacity Committee**// **(Gary Blank, chairman)**
**NOTES:** Gary Blank is looking into March 2013 workshop that would address the theme of management planning, looking specifically at the week of Spring Break (1st week of March, perhaps either Tuesday or Thursday).
 * Any updates on March 2013 workshop idea (see notes from October meeting)?**

//**Other Business**//

 * Voting eligibility - each signatory and at large member is entitled to one vote**
 * **Signatories(in order of signing)**
 * NC State University, 2011 April 8, by Betsy Brown, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
 * Wake County Parks, Recreation, & Open Space, 2011 April 21, by Frank Cope, Community Services Director
 * UNC Herbarium, 2011 June 1, by Alan S. Weakly, Director
 * Triangle Land Conservancy, 2011 June 22, by Kevin Brice, President
 * NC Natural Heritage Program, 2011 July 15, by Linda Pearsall, Director, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs
 * Wake Soil & Water Conservation District, 2011 Aug 4, by Thomas Dean, Chairman
 * NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 2011 Aug 4, by Betsy Bennett, Director, NC Museum of Natural Science
 * Wildlife Resources Commission, 2011 Sep 6


 * **At Large Members**
 * None currently

>> Hess (in abstentia? can I do that?) moves to accord the City of Raleigh Parks & Recreation Department "at large" membership status in WakeNature. This motion is made as a gesture of good faith as Raleigh moves toward signing our Memorandum of Understanding and because it has worked so closely with WakeNature to designate Nature Preserves and Protected Natural Areas with its Park System. "At large" membership would allow a representative from Raleigh to serve on the steering committee and allow Raleigh to cast a single vote for any decisions for which a vote is taken, which is the same right accorded to MOU signatories. An affirmative vote (YES) is to accord Raleigh "at large" membership. Only signatories and at large members (see above) may vote. We will accept votes from those present today and solicit e-mail votes from those absent with a deadline of Friday 16 November. Votes will be tabulated by signatory. > > **NOTES:** > George’s motion was accepted to grant the City of Raleigh at-large membership status, and Gary Blank seconded, but some reservations were expressed in discussion. A Friendly Amendment was added to confer at-large status for six months, at which point the partnership would discuss extending the at-large status. All present voted yes. George and Scott will finish the vote through e-mail.
 * Accord Raleigh "At Large" Status **.

> Hess moves to open nominations for the steering committee. According to our Memorandum of Understanding, this committee will be composed of three people chosen from among the MOU signatories and members at large. Nominations will be accepted today and solicited by e-mail with a deadline of 16 November. Anyone may nominate people for the steering committee (even if they are not signatories or at large members). Shortly after 16 November, a list of nominees will be sent by e-mail and voting membership will be asked to vote their choices, or provide a written proxy of their choices, at the December meeting. > > Please note that nominating someone from Raleigh depends on the outcome of the at large decision. If Raleigh's representative declines to accept at large status, then Raleigh may not join the steering committee at this time. If the vote of Raleigh's at large status is negative, anyone nominated from Raleigh will be removed from the slate of nominees.
 * Nominations for Steering Committee. **

From the MOU: > The steering committee is the leadership of the WakeNature. The steering committee shall be comprised of three members of the membership at large. Steering committee members will be nominated by self or others and voted on by the voting membership. The steering committee should be balanced with members representing different perspectives of the groups that comprise WakeNature (Local government, state government, non-­‐profits, universities and an at large seat). Each member shall be elected for a two year term. These terms should be staggered. Members of the steering committee agree to attend all meetings. Alternates may represent steering committee members, as needed. Members of the steering committee agree to read appropriate material and arrive prepared to work. The steering committee will prepare and distribute an agenda to the working group prior to each meeting. > Attendees were also asked to consider nominations for Steering Committee, either self or others. **NOTES** John Connors noted that he will be retiring in December, but expressed interest in staying active in WNPP, in fact hopes to be more active.


 * December is our priority-setting meeting****.** Each year we use a large part of our December meeting to review our accomplishments and to set priorities for the upcoming calendar year. Please think about where you feel WakeNature should be going during 2013 and beyond in advance of our meeting. You can post ideas on the December meeting page at any time.

The Gulf-South Summit Award for Outstanding Service-Learning Collaboration will be given to a team of practitioners, faculty and community partners who have demonstrated success in achieving a mutually beneficial collaboration that has successfully addressed a genuine community need.

a) Evidence of a formalized relationship between community organizations and a college/university. This may include a copy of a Memorandum of Understanding or a Letter of Partnership outlining the commitments of each stakeholder.

b) Evidence of beneficial effects of the collaboration on local concerns

c) Indication of how the collaboration advanced objectives of engaged scholarship in the college or university

d) Evidence that the collaboration has been sustained for at least three years

The award recipients will each receive a plaque in recognition of their accomplishments, and the community partner organization will receive a $500 monetary contribution.

Nomination is a max 1500 word essay, due November 15.

The Gulf South Summit award was discussed, with the attendees expressing approval to move forward for the award.

Leigh Ann noted that Bruce White is under contract for inventory of Sara Williamson and West tracts, in the Marks Creek area. --
 * From Snow:** Forward from:Peter Williams, Collaborative Planning and Multiparty Monitoring Spec. Ecosystem Mgmt. Coord., Washington Office, USDA-Forest Service

The Nature Conservancy has been working on a new website called The Conservation Partnership Center. Worth knowing about. It looks like it is built along the idea of a “partnership lifecycle” which is pretty intriguing. [|www.conservationpartnerships.org/index.php?page=2]
 * Online Resource:**