ManagementPlanTemplate

WakeNature Preserves Partnership - Management Plan Template
(drafted by G. B. Blank 6 June 2008; revised 2010 July; in place 2010 Dec 10)

This version of the Management Plan Template was put into place when the first WakeNature Preserve was approved - it is the template developed and used during that process.


 * Executive Summary.** This is a summary of the management plan that should be 3 or fewer pages in length. Please be sure to include the following items:
 * Identify the name and location of the property, and the property owners/managers (copy from Section 1A).
 * Indicate why this property qualifies as a WakeNature Preserve (copy the table you create for Section 1B).
 * General goals for the property (copy from Section 1C).
 * A brief description of the specific objectives for the property (based on Section 3).
 * A summary of the management proposed to attain those objectives (based on Section 4) and the timeframe within which the activities will be carried out (based on Section 1E).


 * 1. Introduction.** This is intended to be a fairly brief section (1-2 pages) that provides an overview of property location, the features that qualify it for WakeNature Preserve designation, vision and general goals for managing the property, and the timeframe covered by the plan.

> **//A. Name and location of the property.//** The location details should be simple and locator map should be included. Please name the property owners/managers. Do not include detailed access information (that will be included later).

> **//B. Qualifying Features.//** Summarize the features of the property that qualify it for WakeNature Preserve designation - how does the property satisfy the criteria for a WakeNature Preserve ? We recommend a table that contains 2 columns. The first column is titled "WakeNature Category," with rows for "Exceptional Natural," "Outstanding Natural," "Other Natural," and "Cultural/Historic." The second column is titled "Qualifying Features" and contains, for each category, a list of the features on the property that fit into the category; list one feature per line followed and follow each feature with the name of the authority by which it qualifies, in parentheses. For example "Granitic rock outcrops (Natural Heritage Program)."

> Example table: Turnipseed Unit #1 Site ** - Marks Creek Floodplain (NC Natural Heritage Program SNHA) ** ** - Granitic flatrocks and rock outcrops (recognized as significant on other sites by the NC Natural Heritage Program) ** || - Priority wildlife species (NC Wildlife Action Plan): Blue-winged Warbler, Canada Warbler, Chimney Swifts, Cerulean Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Chuck-will's-widow, Cooper's Hawk, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Wood-pewee, Goldern-wingled Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker, Magnolia Warbler, Norther Harrier, Orchard Oriole, Prairie Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Savannah Sparrow, Sora, Whip-poor-will, Wood Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Spotted Salamander, Marbled Salamander, Eastern Box Turtle || > **//C. General Vision and Goals.//** Primary considerations that drive development and implementation of the management plan should be highlighted and lead to a statement of the general vision and goals for the property.
 * **WakeNature Category** || Qualifying Features ||
 * Exceptional Natural || ** - Michaux's sumac (Federally endangered, US Fish & Wildlife) **
 * Outstanding Natural || - Priority wildlife habitat (NC Wildlife Action Plan): small wetland communities, beaver-impounded wetlands, aquatic riparian habitat, rock outcrops
 * Other Natural || - Priority wildlife habitat (NC Wildlife Action Plan): Piedmont early successional habitat (needs restoration) ||
 * Cultural/Historic || - Unmarked graves (looking for further detail) ||

> **//D. Public Use.//** this section states policy, describes expectations, and documents the reality of how the public should be involved in use of the property. Permitted, restricted, and prohibited uses, trail types, signage, and human impacts are all subjects to address.

> **//E. Plan Timeframe.//** The expected start and end year for the management plan’s implementation should be stated explicitly. Potential consequences of failing to implement the management plan should be highlighted. Parties to be involved in plan implementation may be identified briefly.


 * 2. Property Description.** This section contains a detailed description of the property boundaries, context, and access; natural features of the property; the history of its management; and expectations for public use.

> **//A. Boundaries & Context.//** This section presents boundary descriptions, access points, adjacent landowners and land uses pertinent to understanding management problems and priorities to be addressed in the plan. Where similar or nearby preserves exist, they can be identified, especially if conditions at such sites provide points of comparison or reference for activities at the subject property. Include any known future plans for the surrounding areas when available, particularly if they can affect the ecological integrity of the site.

> **//B. Physical Features.//** This section should present as complete a description of the terrain and natural communities as can be produced from the available information. Include maps showing water bodies and streams, topography, and soils.

> **//C. Biological Features.//** General description of the species and communities on the site.

> **//D. Qualifying Features.//** More detailed information about each of the qualifying WakeNature features highlighted in Section 1.B, including a map of the features, a brief description of the current condition of each feature, threats to its persistence, and the primary focus of related management efforts (which will be described in detail in Section 4). Problem conditions, threats to desirable attributes, and potential for enhancement of the site’s attractive and distinctive qualities should be addressed in this section.

> **//E. Management History.//** this section should be as detailed as possible to understand options for current management direction and the practicality of alternative actions. Whatever history is known from before acquisition is especially valuable to include.


 * //3. Specific Management Objectives.//** This section enumerates specific, measurable accomplishments to be achieved on the property for each of the qualifying features (as stated in Section 1.B) during the term of the management plan (as stated in Section 1.D).

> Please provide an objective for each qualifying feature highlighted in Section 1.B. These enumerated items should be specific to the property and derived from the information presented in section II. They should be stated as one-clause statements in a list, and the list should be limited to actions during the term of the plan as stated in the introduction.

> We prefer a tabular format, with the first column headed "Qualifying Feature" and the second title "Objectives." Please list qualifying features in the same order you listed them in Section 1.B. If you do not plan to manage for some of the qualifying features, please write "None" in the "Objectives" column for that features. If you are managing for some things that are not qualifying features, please include them at the end of the table.

Example
 * Qualifying Feature || **Objective** ||
 * ** Michaux's sumac ** ||  ||
 * ** Marks Creek Floodplain ** ||  ||
 * ** Granitic flatrocks and rock outcrops ** ||  ||
 * Small wetland communities ||  ||
 * Beaver-impounded wetlands ||  ||
 * Aquatic riparian habitat ||  ||
 * Rock outcrops ||  ||
 * Piedmont early successional habitat ||  ||
 * Unmarked graves ||  ||
 * Spotted Salamander, Marbled Salamander ||  ||
 * //Unsure of best way to handle individ species - make groups?// ||  ||


 * 4. Management Prescriptions.** This section contains detailed management prescriptions for each of the qualifying features and goals specified in Section 3.

> For each of the qualifying features and objectives specified in Section 3, please provide details concerning what and how specific actions are to be accomplished. Where and when possible, estimates of person days needed, timing of activities, and technical resources required to accomplish tasks should be included in discussion of each enumerated item. Such estimates can identify possibilities for volunteer assistance and skill levels needed to accomplish tasks. Each prescription should also identify parties who will or could be responsible for accomplishing the prescriptions or parts of prescriptions.

> We recommend that you create a separate, named subsection for each qualifying feature specified in Section 3, so that the details here can be linked clearly and easily to the objectives specified.


 * 5. Workplans.**

> **//A. Three-year Workplan.//** This is intended to be an overview of when the management prescriptions detailed in Section 4 will be carried out. Please present as a table with 4 columns. The first column is titled "Qualifying Feature" and the rows will match the qualifying features presented in Section 3. The second through fourth columns will be labelled "Year 1," "Year 2," "Year 3." For each qualifying feature, state briefly which parts of the management prescriptions (activities) will be completed during each year in the column for that year. These should be short, simple statements that start with a verb (e.g., burn grasses; thin forest; remove invasive plants). Monitoring activities that will allow evaluation of progress toward goals should be included.

> **//B. Annual Workplans.//** Include here more details for each year, to the degree possible. You should be able to specify details for the first year, but you might not be able to do so for the second and third. For each year you do include, please create a table with the following three column headings: "Qualifying Feature," "Activity," "Resources / Source / Cost." The rows of this table should match those in the Three-year Workplan for the corresponding year - one Qualifying Feature / Activity per row. In the "Resources / Source / Cost" column, please indicated resources needed to carry out the activity, where you expect it to come from, and how much it is expected to cost.


 * 6. Appendices.** As required and referred to from the main document. Content of appendices is governed by features and attributes of the property and plan.

> Potential items to include:
 * Legal Description, Property Plat, Deed, etc.
 * Maps
 * Natural Heritage Reports (SNHA, EO, etc.)
 * Inventories of species