Meeting+2011+Oct+6

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

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 * Attendance Notes**

Present: Hess (Notes), Perlmutter, Holcombe, Snow, Sullivan, Aimee Schmidt (to present here MS work). Hammerbacher, Steelman (presiding), Salter, Blank, Pohlman, Connors, Cook, Willis, B. Kirkman, Curtis Belyea (GIS tech from NCSU's BASIC group)


 * Introductions as needed**

//Promotion Committee//

 * Web site (Kaytee) - @http://wakenature.wordpress.com/


 * Signs - Steelman will present guidlines; Kaytee will present examples of additional information on signs
 * [|WNPP sign examples.pdf]
 * [|WNPP Sign Quotes.pdf]
 * [|WakeNature Sign Suggestions.docx]


 * Funding - Steelman will present draft of Fulbright grant
 * Draft is [|Fulbright Ecoleadership Program Application2011.doc]


 * NOTES**
 * Web site
 * Holcombe demonstrated the site
 * We now have a Facebook page
 * Anyone who has good photos should send to Kaytee
 * Kaytee will look into email list servers that * don't require people to set up a new account * are easy to administer. As a last-ditch, we can use the NCSU list server
 * Signs
 * Looked at other signs out in the field
 * Quoted aluminum signs that were far less expensive than the vinyl ones we had looked at previously. Material is like parking signs on street.
 * Willis looked into sign rules among municipal park systems. Most signs <2-sq-ft are exempt. Still looking for right person to get details.
 * Steelman presented potential sign guidelines, including a sign with additional WNP information to be posted on existing kiosks
 * Holcombe suggested that we might have a kit that we send to WNPs - including signs, information for kiosks, basic WNP information
 * We should put URL and possible QRCodes on signs.
 * Next steps for signs ...
 * We will get a prototype sign or two created
 * Willis will continue looking at ordinances
 * We have $115 to spend from the Osborne Family gift for this
 * Fulbright grant is still in process - they have been soliciting Steelman to resubmit the proposal. Steelman, Hammerbacher, Holcombe will move forward.
 * Hammerbacher put in a grant through TLC to Urban and Community Forestry grant program (NC Div Forest Resources)
 * did not get that, but got some other funding that including some money for signage, interns, ecosystem assessment, etc

//**Inventory Committee**//

 * Turnipseed - Gary P. will present a brief summary on the bat survey conducted in September

> After further discussion with Melissa and David about the Anderson Point Natural Resource Team (NRT), I better understand the role that we would like for WakeNature to play in the overall process. The NRT will be an internal City of Raleigh group made up of Parks &Recreation Division staff and Public Utilities staff. This group will delineate the Protected Natural Area (PNA) with input from Wake Audubon (per their request as part of the Nature Preserves park classification process) and will gather and compile the data necessary to create a management plan for the PNA. Once a preliminary draft plan is ready we would like WakeNature to review and critically consider the content, structure and organization of the plan. If there are members who have experience writing and implementing effective management plans we would most appreciate those members reviewing the plan. Additionally staff would like to present the PNA and management plan to WakeNature, if there is time for us on your meeting agenda in late fall/early winter. How far inadvance would we need to make this request? When we make the request will be determined by how quickly the NRT is able to move this effort forward.
 * Request from City of Raleigh: Action-- Should this go to Inventory Committee? Should it be an ad hoc committee?

>> //Discussion comment from George: While I agree completely that WNPP should participate, this is not an inventory committee function. This is development of a management plan by the City of Raleigh for elements that are already known. They are asking WNP to review that plan, though it's not clear that Raleigh is going to seek any kind of WNP status for these elements. I see this as an ad-hoc team.//


 * NOTES**
 * Perlmutter showed some slides from the 28 Sept bat survey at Turnipseed
 * No bats were caught, likely because it was too late in the season - July / August is peak time - so we need to schedule for next year
 * Students had a good learning experience anyway
 * Raleigh request
 * Need a set of reviewers for the Anderson Point plan - time frame is draft available by end of year
 * Ad hoc committee to be created to help with review process. Volunteers were ... B. Kirkman, Pohlman, Cook. They will work with Salter as the process moves forward.

//**Capacity Committee**//

 * We need a new chair for the Capacity Committee. Meghan is overcommitted with school/work. Anyone want to step up?


 * NOTES**
 * No action


 * Other Updates**
 * Wildlife Resources Commission has signed the MOU Yeah!


 * Aimee Schmidt presentation on Ecosystem Services in Wake County Open Spaces (30 minutes)**


 * NOTES**
 * Carbon storage, nutrient retention, biodiversity, recreational opportunities

**Next meeting is Thurs 3 November**