Meeting+2010+Jan+21

Thursday 2010 Jan 21 8:30-10 1214 Jordan Hall, NCSU Campus
 * Wake County Nature Preserves Meeting**

** Attendess: Holcombe, Blank, Pohlman, Hess, Steelman, Willis, Ramsey, Schmidt, Perlmutter, Connors, Trickel, Bockham, Thompson
 * Attendance Notes

Notes by: Hess


 * Annotated Agenda Items**


 * Introductions as needed** (5 minutes)


 * Aimee Schmidt (new) NCSU Graduate Student might work on cost-benefit of WNPP


 * Quick update on Raleigh Parks/Rec Meeting 1/19**


 * Steelman attended from WNPP
 * Eugene (board), Jimmy Theim (board), Bailey, Shouse, Giovana
 * very high level meeting (the 10K foot view) - expectations, participants, timeline
 * Board, Staff, WNPP will all participate - ad hoc committee with two from each group - to be appointed by 18 Feb - seems flexible for WNPP to bring additional people to the table as needed for particular input or expertise
 * Broad goals
 * Criteria applicable to Wake County in entirety
 * Need good science (eg, Natural Heritage, Wildlife Action Plan)
 * Good public input - Board, staff, and WNPP will report to full Board periodically - so the Board becomes the conduit for public input and runs any public meetings
 * Greatest degree of concern - what's an inventory and how do we do this? Proposal was to use existing WNPP criteria and refine as needed as we go. Need to make sure the criteria and approach works for all.
 * Timeframe - undefined as yet
 * Raleigh Parks feels it's important to get someone to the WNPP meetings, but not clear who that will be


 * Quick update about Raleigh Environmental Awards Application**


 * NOTES**
 * Submitted by Steelman 15 Jan - receipt acknowledged
 * Award ceremony 21 April (Earth Day)


 * Communications plan**
 * We need to spend some time figuring out what we want in the communications plan for the meeting later today.
 * Students in James Kiwanuka-Tondo's class will be developing a communications plan for us this semester. Our first meeting with them is 1.30-2.45 in room 110 of the 1911 Building. Gary and Jamie can attend.
 * Shawn Gillen will be attending this meeting, which will help with getting everyone on the same page.
 * Here is the Temper of the Times proposal - [|ToT_2009proposal_Triangle Land Conservancy_final draft_12_14.doc].


 * NOTES**
 * Possible audiences
 * General public
 * Specific public - the people who are likely to use nature preserves
 * Parks department staffs
 * Elected officials
 * Potential volunteers
 * One audience might be people who live near the places we're thinking might be nature preserves - so that they know what we're about and will lobby their elected officials - show that their is broad support from citizens.
 * Answer a key question - What are the benefits of nature preserves? What makes WNPP different? Why should I support your efforts? Why do we need local nature preserves? What organizations are we similar to and who are we different from and how? What is our identity? What is our special niche?
 * TLC has a system for utilizing volunteers from the public to help steward their preserves - meaningful stewardship.
 * Exhibit board to entice stewardship volunteers to do work for WNPP.
 * Recognition: Spreading the word about who we are and what we're trying to do
 * A calendar of nature events - month by month

Gary P. has added to the recipe book the September 2009 issue of //Castanea//, which focuses on canebrake biology/ecology/management. Since canebrakes are considered endangered and we have a canebrake at Turnipseed, this might be useful.
 * Recipe Book**


 * Lichen Inventory at Turnipseed** (Gary P.)
 * I've offered to present my preliminary findings at an upcoming seminar to the NCSU Forestry Department this March. I could use some help in preparing the powerpoint, such as maps and other guidance in presenting WakeNature's role in this effort.
 * Sampling of the property will resume later this month (Sat. Jan 23, weather and permission pending). My area of focus will be the northern part near Pleasants (OSMC-2), and will likely be completed this spring.


 * Wake County Parks Reconfiguration**
 * Budget driven
 * Lisk will not be Open Space Planner any longer - it will be transitioning to under Snow directly with Shumate and Alexander
 * Open Space Planner position is gone - it has been reclassified
 * Lots of uncertainty on timing