Meeting+2014+Jul+10

//**WakeNature Preserves Partnership Meeting**//
Thursday 8:30-10 Nature Research Center, 4th Floor Classroom

The main doors do not open until 9AM, so you will need to enter through the Daily Planet Cafe (SE corner of Jones & McDowell) - from there, walk into the main building and grab the elevator or stairs to the 4th floor. You should be able to find us from there - go east!!

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 * Attendance Notes**

Snow (presiding), Salter, Pohlman, K. Smith, Connors, B. Kirkman, Hammerbacher, Hess (notes)

// **Steering** // ** Committee ** (Chris Snow, chairman) GOAL: ** Increase momentum ** by growing active signatory membership.


 * Notes**
 * Snow still in conversation with John Brown and David Wood in Apex about their Nature Park - there is still interest. The park is officially opened right now.
 * Doug McRainey (Cary) and Snow have agreed to talk

//**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.
 * Fall workshop possibilities - Kaytee


 * Notes**
 * Last time the idea of a workshop on planning for a bioblitz / inventory.
 * Focus is on teaching people how to plan for a bioblitz, appropriate protocols, who to contact
 * Hammerbacher - Morehead Planetarium had sponsored some
 * Connor - Ed Corey (NC State Parks) had done some of this kind of work
 * Possible locations - Blue Jay Point, Hunt Library / Lake Raleigh Woods, Durant Nature Park. Place with variable habitat would be good so that we could show various approaches. Durant is first choice at the moment.
 * Possible dates - Wed 17 Sept; Wed 1 Oct
 * Kirkman - would we like a presence at the Walnut Creek festival? For exposure and nature education. Saturday 27 Sept. There is interest and we should do it in partnership (ie, at same table) with someone - suggested that Triangle Greenways would be a good partner; Raleigh, Wake Audubon, Museum are other possibilities. Smith will look into getting us involved and parntering.

//**Inventory Committee**// (Scott Pohlman, chairman) GOAL: ** Places on the ground ** - designate publicly accessible WakeNature Preserves.


 * A revised Swift Creek Bluffs management plan has been submitted.


 * Procter tract site visit. The County is developing this site with equestrian trails. [[file:Proctor tract -- Wake County open space.docx]]


 * Sumac propagation for Turnipseed - Connors - (from Blank's property)


 * Notes**
 * Swift Creek Bluffs - ad-hoc committee has reviewed and recommend acceptance of SCB as a WakeNature Preserve. Pohlman/Salter will follow up with a formal recommendtion. Hess will solicit votes from voting members.
 * Proctor - Pohlman and Snow talked about the site. Several people are interested in visiting the site for inventory purposes.
 * Sumac propagation from Blank's property to Turnipseed. Connors has been clearing invasives from target areas at Turnipseed. Status of Blank's part unknown. Would like to do this fall.
 * Hammerbacher / Salter / Suiter visited Barwell Road site - sumac is doing well. Hammerbacher (Raleigh Public Utilities) has gained permission to manage the site for the sumac; they will be updating the management plan. Our past invasive treatments worked well - most of the illeagnus is still gone. Needs some kudzu management as well; currently covering only about 20-sq-ft. Site is a future WakeWonder.

//**Capacity Committee**// (Gary Blank, chairman) GOAL: ** Bring resource managers together ** to carry out appropriate stewardship of the highest quality natural areas in Wake County.
 * People for Parks Tool Trailer - Connors / Kirkman


 * Notes**
 * People for Parks non-profit met on 2014.07.09. Connors & Krikman were present
 * Group was formed to enhance and support Raleigh parks.
 * Group is going out of business.
 * They have a tool trailer that they are looking to repurpose / donate. It needs to be removed from the property it is on.
 * There are also funds available. One pool of funds is specifically for dog parks. The other is less restrictive (approx $10k).
 * Approach being considered by PfP is to ask other organizations for proposals to take over the tool trailer and funds. WakeNature is one candidate.
 * Salter - tools are in great shape, but not necessarily the right combination of tools for Raleigh-style volunteer workdays (few hand saws, loppers, etc). Mostly shovels, rakes, fire rakes - mainly for trail building.
 * One option is to sell the trailer and tools and repurpose the money.
 * TLC could be interested in it. Connors / Kirkman will contact Tysinger at TLC.