Meeting+2008+Oct+2+Parks+Directors

Discussion with Municipal Parks Directors
Thursday 2008 Oct 2 9.00 - 11.00 EDT University Room at [|Yates Mill County Park], Raleigh, NC

View invitation: [|MuniDirectorsInvitation.pdf] :: Prep information

Note: Organizers arrive at 8.30 for setup.

__**Attendees:**__ Louise Alexander (NCSU), Rodney Dickerson, George Hess, Nate Halubka (NCSU), Mary Henderson (Cary), Kaytee Holcombe (NCSU), Ed Johnson (Garner), Greg Johnson (Zebulon), William Leanord (Rolesville), Tim Lisk (Wake County), Ed Lynch (Morrisville), Doug McRainey (Cary), Jamie Ramsey (Wake Co Open Space Committee), Melissa Salter (Raleigh), Kristen Sinclair (Natural Heritage), David Shouse (Raleigh), Chris Snow (Wake County), Toddi Steelman (NCSU), Charlynne Smith (NCSU), Sabrina Thomas (Holly Springs), Brinkley Wagstaff (Wendell), Jacquelyn Wallace (Wildlife Resources Commission), David Wood (Apex)


 * Annotated Agenda**

9.00 Arrival and coffee

9.15 Introductions (Steelman)
 * Purpose of meeting - to open a conversation with municipal parks and recreation departments about joining the Wake Nature Preserves Partnership and working together to maximize the value of our protected natural resources
 * Overview of agenda
 * Brief self-introductions - name / affiliation / three words that come to your mind when you think about open space in your jurisdiction
 * Turn it over to George

9.30 Overview presentation (Hess and Snow) - [|MuniParksV5.ppt]
 * Wake Nature Preserves Partnership overview (Hess) - Presentation linked here
 * Demonstrate how Wake County used the developing Wake Nature process (Snow)
 * George concludes presentation and extends invitation

Steelman transitions to Sinclair and Wallace to illustrate what resources are available within the partnership:

10.00 What and where are these places (Sinclair, Wallace)
 * Overview of Natural Heritage Program (Sinclair) - [|NCNHP.ppt]
 * Overview of Wildlife Action Plan (Wallace) - [|NCWAP_WNCP_Jacquelyn_DRAFT.ppt]

10.30 Open discussion (Steelman)
 * How would you like to be involved?
 * What are the next steps?

11.00 Adjourn


 * NOTES FROM MEETING** (by Hess)

Ed Johnson (Garner) noted that continuing education credits for professional participants would be of great value. Perhaps there is a way to integrate the service-learning aspects with continuing education for professionals. Steelman / Hess responded that our [|Forestry & Environmental Outreach Program] might be a way to make this happen.

Mary Henderson (Cary) noted that stewardship planning is definitely a need in Cary - site specific planning and management plan. A management plan template would be a very good thing to have. Doug McCrainey (Cary) added that he used to work with Cleveland MetroPark and that one of the challenges was changing the midset among public, staff, and elected officials about active management to be more accepting of active management of natural area. He believes that the general public is in favor of this. There is competition between active recreation needs and natural resource protection. Hess responded that one of the products of the Marks Creek Pilot will be an example management plan, and that a skeleton template is already available.

Melissa Salter (Raleigh) noted that it might be good to create an invasive species task force under the auspices of WakeNature. Systems must work together to control / eradicate invasive plant and animal species with coordinated use of best management practices. She also noted that we should continue to involve professionals in activities like the May 1 and Nov 14 workdays.

Brinkley Wagstaff (Wendell) wondered if there was a way to get help inventorying recently donated (by a developer) property or property being considered for purchase. Where to start is often a question. David Shouse (Raleigh) commented that it's important to be able to have at least a quick look to make sure you're not buying or accepting a problem. Ed Johnson (Garner) wondered how to incorporate these sorts of things into Unified Development ordinances.

Melissa Salter (Raleigh) suggested quarterly meetings hosted by different municipalities to help build their capacity to think about these issues. Each meeting would have a specific education focus. Ed Johnson (Garner) added that such meetings could help plant seeds among staff to be proactive about planning and managing natural areas. David Shouse & Melissa Salter (Raleigh) agreed to host the first such meeting at Raleigh in January 2009.

We discussed some capacity building ideas.
 * How to do an inventory - a guide would be of value
 * "We just got some land, now what?"
 * How does one write a management plan? What's in it?
 * Design, planning, strategies for sensitive natural areas.
 * What should be put into our requests for proposal when we're shopping consultants to design sensitive natural areas?

David Shouse (Raleigh) suggested we keep working on the nature preserve criteria - not all land is sensitive and deserving of nature preserve status, even though some people want everything save. We need to balance needs and be selective.

Melissa Salter (Raleigh) suggested adding a grants opportunities page to the wiki.

Everyone agree to receive periodic emails from the Partnership.

There is interest in participating in the 14 Nov workday - we need to get the word out about that.