ManagementPlanTemplateV0


 * DRAFT of template for WakeNature Management Plans**


 * This document is being revised - the new version is being created at ** ManagementPlanTemplateV1 (2010 June)

Wake Nature Preserves Partnership Management Plan Template (drafted by G. B. Blank 6 June 2008)

I. Introduction The introduction should identify the name and location of the property. Primary considerations that drive development and implementation of the management plan should be highlighted and lead to a statement of general goals for the property. The expected timeframe for the management plan’s implementation should be explicitly stated, and potential consequences of failing to implement the management plan should be highlighted. Parties to be involved in plan implementation may be identified.

II. Property Description A. Natural Features: this section should present as complete a summary description of the terrain and habitat communities as can be produced from the information available. References to appendices with maps, species lists and data from inventories are appropriate, but it is not necessary for all of these items to be included in the summary. Salient features that recommended acquisition of the property and that focus management attention should be prominently demonstrated in this section. Problem conditions, threats to desirable attributes, and potential for enhancement of the site’s attractive and distinctive qualities should be addressed in this section.

Jacquelyn Comments: I think we should be specific in what we'd like to see in the description of natural features. 1) I personally think we should ask for delineation of WAP habitats (either just priority habitats or all habitats). These habitat types are conglomerations of Schafale & Weakley's natural community classifications, which is what Mecklenburg County uses for delineation purposes. It would be awesome to ask for delineation of S & W natural communities, but would require an advanced level of expertise. I think asking for delineation of WAP habitats is a bit more straightforward. 2) I also think we should specify the level of species inventory we'd recommend for a management plan in this section.

B. Connections: 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.

C. 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.

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 uses, trail types, signage, and human impacts are all subjects to address.

III. Objectives This section enumerates measureable accomplishments to be achieved on the property during the term of the management plan. These enumerated items should be specific to the property and evidently derived from the information presented in section II. They should be stated as one clause elements in a list, and the list should be limited to actions during the term of the plan as stated in the introduction.

IV. Management Prescriptions Enumerated items in section III are expanded with 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.

V. Annual Work Plan The annual work plan is a list of tasks to be accomplished in a calendar year, cutting across all objectives enumerated in section III and explained in section IV. Each item should begin with an action verb and be limited to one clause.

VI. Management Tools 1. Monitoring Schedule: states the interval and scope of monitoring activity required, as appropriate to the level of activity identified in the plan objectives and prescriptions. Each plan potentially requires a unique schedule, so the temptation to adopt uniform interval for all properties should be avoided. Likewise, the scope of monitoring required depends upon the complexity of issues and the diversity of attributes prompting attention in the plan. 2. Other: a variety of sections could be added in this portion of the plan; for example, Stewardship Work Days, Volunteer Projects, Photo-monitoring points, Inventory responsibilities.

VII. Funding or In-Kind Resource Needs It could be assumed that a working budget can be projected based on the annual levels of effort identified in section V. Probably the management plan should include a budget for the next immediate year of implementation. Then the budget question can be revisited each succeeding period in conjunction with monitoring activity as determined in VI.1.

The extent to which publicly employed staff and unpaid volunteers share in the activities encompassed in the prescriptions may be unpredictable. However, all labor and incidental costs should be recorded after the fact and the ledgers maintained for the purposes of determining actual budgeted and in-kind contributions to the plan’s accomplishment.

VIII. Appendices Content of appendices is governed by features and attributes of the property and plan. Legal Description, Property Plat, Deed, etc. Maps Natural Heritage Reports (SNHA, EO, etc.) Inventories of species