Meeting+2012+Jan+12

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

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Perlmutter will be out of town and not able to attend. Blank will be teaching 0830 until 0945
 * Attendance Notes**


 * Attending ...** Leung, Hammerbacher, Carol Cunningham (internship at WakeTech interning at Lake Crabtree), Bockhahn, Hess (notes, presiding second half), Steelman (presiding, first half), Lobsinger, Sullivan, Carr, Ander, Trickel, Pohlman, Miller, Bob Massengill (recently moved to area, applying to grad school)

//**Promotion Committee**//
WE DIDN'T GET THE ECO-LEADERSHIP GRANT : ( Dear Toddi,

Thank you for your Fulbright Canada-RBC Eco-Leadership Program application. The applications received for the 2011-12 competition presented a broad range of project ideas, all with the goal of furthering our collective environmental efforts. The creativity, dedication to community, and environmental awareness demonstrated by these projects was inspiring. Needless to say, the adjudication committee was required to make some very difficult decisions.

The committee endeavoured to support projects that relied entirely on volunteers (as opposed to salaried coordinators), had established community partners, and would have a lasting impact on the community and the environment. The committee chose a range of projects from Canadians and Americans, both current grantees and alumni, across both countries.

Unfortunately we are unable to fund your project at this time. This is not necessarily a reflection on the value of the project, but rather on the program’s limited financial resources. We would encourage you to consider reapplying next year. If you would like to further discuss your application, please contact me at gcunningham@fulbright.ca or 613-688-5514  begin_of_the_skype_highlighting  613-688-5514  end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

In the meantime, you are to be commended for your on-going dedication to bettering our environment and reducing the ecological footprint of Fulbright Canada grantees. If we all continue to work together on these important initiatives, we will make a difference. Thank you once again for your application.

Sincerely,

Graeme Cunningham Manager, Strategic Development and Partnerships / Gestionnaire, développement stratégique et partenariats Fulbright Canada 2015-350 rue Albert Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1R1A4 t. 613.688.5514  begin_of_the_skype_highlighting  613.688.5514  end_of_the_skype_highlighting  ; f. 613.237.2029; www.fulbrightcanada.com

Hi Toddi,

It was a very difficult decision this year, as we had so many excellent applications and somewhat less flexibility with regard to the number of awards we could give out.

The Fulbright Canada-RBC Eco-Leadership is committed to encouraging community groups to partner together on a project, activity or event that will have a beneficial impact on the local environment. In many cases, our adjudication committee prefers to support novel projects. From what was interpreted from your application, WakeNature is well established and already doing some fantastic work!

I do have a few suggestions as to how you could prepare a more competitive application for next year.

1. Prepare an application for a specific project or event, rather than requesting financial support for a promotional campaign for your own organization. For example, “A watershed moment: A day of cleaning our beloved parks” 2. Identify other partners in the community who could assist you in the planning and execution of this project or event. 3. The Eco-Leadership Program is volunteer-based. Encourage those with whom you plan to work who may otherwise request compensation for services (workers installing signs, rental space) to do volunteer their services. Like you did with the marketing company that helped you design the signs!

These are just a few ideas. Next year, when we open the competition, please do not hesitate to contact our offices to discuss your idea for a project or event and we may be able to provide you with some additional suggestions as to how best to prepare your proposal.


 * NOTES**
 * They are looking for VERY specific projects or events
 * Are we too established for this group


 * Jackie Trickel-- Update about Recipe Book ideas and how it fits in with what we are currently working on.**


 * NOTES**
 * Trickel and Bockhahn have been working on Natural Resource Inventory Database, causing their management plan work to be put on hold
 * The NRID is completed and the management plan work is now on the front burner
 * Will do (written) surveys of park managers to identify areas for management - set priorities
 * What's up with the Recipe Book?
 * Relatively generic management prescriptions that could apply county-wide
 * Want to make available to all, probably via the web, for use by others in management plans
 * Potential process
 * Wake County will create a committee to look at management issues
 * Have a meeting with park managers to get input and feedback
 * Develop management plans that are policy for the parks - they //will// do it
 * Parks v Open Space properties will likely have different management prescriptions
 * Association for Environmental Professionals is working with Wake County to determine methods for moving invasive plants
 * ACTION: County will have their meeting in late February and then get back to us on how we can work together


 * Leigh Ann Hammerbacher- Update on Urban and Community Forestry Program Grant**


 * NOTES**
 * Money is in - Approx $12,000 - includes funds for interns, signage, website work
 * Money is available for this calendar year


 * OTHER NOTES**
 * Status of signs - up to Wake County as to when to post
 * Will not be printing lots of signs because it's case-specific by agency
 * Ander noted that Lake Johnson is up first for a management plan, likely this summer through fall; also working on Anderson Point and will bring to Park Board (April-ish) then public meetings, etc.


 * Discussion developed around the WakeNature model and process and rethinking our approach
 * Seems we're having trouble getting traction - even our one WNP isn't going to be open for years
 * Still issues with the term "Nature Preserve" - still perceived as "no people"
 * Application process asks a lot
 * Should we be a more promotional and highlight unique features and place "doing things right" rather than asking them to apply - in other words, find the "interesting places," review what they do, then put on our site
 * This goes back to the "biodiversity trail" kind of approach - the Birding Trail is done something like this
 * There seem to be a number of impediments to more activity
 * Sign out front saying "WakeNature" is a hang-up
 * Application process and need to create a management plan
 * Concern about control
 * Hess reminded people that we did things the way we did intentionally because we wanted to ensure places called WNPs were managed appropriately for the persistence of the feature. Didn't want to declare places WNPs without management plans. Also noted that this doesn't mean we can't change, but that we should remember why we're where we are.
 * Pohlman noted that the NHP Registry program has similar problems getting people to designate their property.
 * Massengill brought to our attention a site called "Ground Truth Trekking" in Alaska in which interesting places are put on the map. This is similar to the Marin County site we've also seen. Noted that, yes, we can just go ahead and do this with existing data but (a) some orgs don't want certain things highlighted because of potential negative effects and (b) unilateral action is not the way to develop good partnerships.
 * ACTION: Ander / Hammerbacher / Hess/ Pohlman / Trickel / C Smith will discuss and see what kinds of ideas they can generate

//**Inventory Committee**//

 * Open Space / Natural Heritage**
 * David Carr has combined the open space and Natural Heritage data and will show us what he's done


 * NOTES**
 * Carr showed a map of significant natural heritage areas and element occurrences clipped to open space boundaries for all of Wake County
 * Pohlman noted that the SNHAs are probably the first place to start because they represent areas that are sufficient to support the EOs contained within
 * We wandered back to the discussion of different approaches, noting that we could simply enhance and publish this information on our site ... but we'd want to do it in a sensitive manner - like checking with the affected agencies and jurisdictions for their concerns first
 * ACTION: Carr will consult with Pohlman on refining the map (e.g., eliminated "destroyed" and "historic" EOs)


 * //From Gary P.//: Initial inventory results are in from the Carolina Vegetation Survey 2011 Pulse in the Triangle**: [|CVS Pulse]! If you scroll down to "Past Pulse Events" the first is the one in our area. The links show maps of sites and a spreadsheet listing sites, people who were involved in their inventory and the natural community types. In Wake County, sites sampled include:
 * Adam Mountain (1 plot)
 * **Montane Woodlands & Glades: Serpentine Woodlands:**
 * //Pinus virginiana - Pinus rigida - Quercus stellata// (post oak) / //Ceanothus americanus// (New Jersey tea) //- Kalmia latifolia// (Mountain laurel) /// Thalictrum revolutum// (Waxy-leaf meadow rue) Woodland
 * Hemlock Bluffs State Natural Area (2 plots)
 * **Piedmont Sub-Xeric Oak-Hickory Forests: Acidic Oak-Hickory Forests:**
 * //Quercus prinus - Quercus rubra / Rhododendron maximum / Galax urceolata// Forest
 * //Quercus alba - Quercus (rubra// (red)//, coccinea// (scarlet)//) - Carya (alba// (mockernut hickory)//, glabra// (prignut hickory)//) / Vaccinium pallidum// Piedmont Dry-Mesic Forest
 * Mitchell's Mill State Natural Area (2 plots)
 * **Piedmont Woodlands & Glades: Mafic Glades & Barrens:**
 * //Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana - Ulmus alata// (Winged elm) /// Schizachyrium scoparium// (Little bluestem) Woodland
 * **Piedmont Rock Outcrop Vegetation: Flatrocks & Domes:**
 * //Pinus virginiana / Juniperus virginiana - Chionanthus virginicus// (White fringetree) Granitic Flatrock Border Forest
 * Swift Creek Bluffs TLC Preserve (2 plots)
 * **Piedmont Mesic Forests: Mafic Dry-Mesic Forest:**
 * //Fagus grandifolia// (American Beech) //- Quercus rubra / Ostrya virginiana - Acer (barbatum, leucoderme// (chalk maple)//) / Actaea racemosa// (black snakeroot) //- Sanguinaria canadensis// (Bloodroot) Forest
 * //Fagus grandifolia - Quercus rubra / Acer barbatum// (Sugar maple)//- Aesculus sylvatica// (painted buckeye) /// Actaea racemosa - Adiantum pedatum// Forest
 * William B. Umstead State Park (2 plots)
 * **Piedmont Sub-Xeric Oak-Hickory Forests: Acidic Oak-Hickory Forests:**
 * //Quercus alba - Quercus (rubra, coccinea) - Carya (alba, glabra) / Vaccinium pallidum// Piedmont Dry-Mesic Forest
 * **Piedmont Shrubby Woodlands: Pine - Oak Heath Bluffs:**
 * //Pinus echinata// (Shortleaf pine) //- Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica// (Blackjack oak) /// Andropogon gyrans// (Elliott's bluestem) //- Chrysopsis mariana// (Maryland goldenaster) Woodland

It will take some time for full species inventory lists to be compiled as there are many specimens yet to identify per Dr. Bob Peet (UNC). However, there is a database that can be accessed if needed; we just need to contact Dr. Peet if so. But at least we have community types listed for now.


 * NOTES**
 * Hess presented briefly; Perlmutter will be back next time to address any questions

//**Capacity Committee**//
The draft plan for the Swift Creek Bluffs Assemblage was presented 14 December by the FOR784 class, with comments received. As yet the document has not been finally edited and conveyed to TLC.

Next meeting of the Lake Raleigh Woods Advisory Panel will be 20 January when Preserve uses will be the focus of discussion. Anna Miller is developing plans for a work day at Turnipseed in March.


 * NOTES**
 * March volunteer day for Turnipseed to include restoration of rock outcrop, invasive removal, trash removal; also possible pond draining and lupine planting
 * **ACTION** - 24 March is service Raleigh day - Miller will pursue that application and report back in February with a prospectus of what will be done, where, how may leaders are needed, people needed, tools needed - will work with Sullivan, Lobsinger, Massengill

//**Other Business**//
None