Natural Resources Leadership Institute

The American Tobacco Trail Planning Committee

In response to a request from the Rails to Trails Conservancy, the Wake County Board of Commissioners charged the Wake County Department of Parks and Recreation with the task of developing a plan to convert an abandoned railroad corridor to a linear trail called the American Tobacco Trail. While the county is concerned about providing recreational opportunities to its growing population, adjacent landowners are worried about the development of the trail negatively impacting their interests, and the various users do not necessarily agree with how the trail should be developed.

David and Christy convened a planning committee for concerned stakeholders to tell each other their concerns, listen to each other, and work collaboratively at determining solutions to address their concerns. The planning committee will meet until August, 1999. Their recommendations will be forwarded to the County Commissioners along with the plan for the trail, and a public meeting to present the plan will be held in November, 1999.

Diane Cherry
Town of Cary - Raleigh, NC

Sediment and Erosion Issues in Western North Carolina

Sediment is one of the most pervasive water quality problems in North Carolina. In western North Carolina, sediment is particularly problematic since development occurs on hillsides and streambanks. Diane and Phil sought answers to questions that focus on whether the state provides the development community with enough information on controlling erosion and sedimentation, how the development community accounts for sediment in their activities, and how the concern for controlling erosion gets translated among the construction team. They have mailed surveys to development professionals, and will follow-up their survey with a facilitated focus group in western North Carolina to discuss the outcomes of the surveys.

The information will assist regulatory agencies in understanding how to work with the development community to lessen future sediment loads to regional waters.

Cheryl Crupi
BridgePoint - Cary, NC

Involving the Public in the Joliet Arsenal Conversion to the
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

In 1996, President Clinton signed a bill that established the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie at the site of the former Joliet Army Ammunition Plan. Although the vision of the Midewin had obvious appeal and broad support, successful conversion from an arsenal to a tallgrass prairie required coordination of an extremely diverse coalition of conservationist, economic development interests, recreationists, and citizens.

Cheryl was involved with convening community focus groups of diverse stakeholders in order to learn the key issues and potential conflicts of planning the Midewin site. The information gathered from this scoping process will be used to target and structure planning workshops to promote productive conversation among stakeholders to build consensus and creative solutions to potential conflicts.
        

Establishment of Regional Leadership of the Lower Cape Fear River

Water quality problems in the lower part of the Caper Fear Basin have been attributed to a number of point sources and nonpoint sources, including large industry, and agriculture. Rick and Mary proactively addressed water quality problems in the lower Cape Fear Basin by establishing a regional council of leaders to address the causes of pollution. The diverse group of stakeholders is in the information-gathering phase and has been educating its members through field trips and workshops.

The council will then generate options to evaluate, with a final goal of creating a plan to reduce pollution to the lower Cape Fear at the least cost. Rick and Mary’s ultimate goal is for the regional council to sustain itself beyond the life of the practicum. The self-sustenance of the council is likely due to an exhibition of strong leadership within the council during the first phase of the practicum.

  Development of the Water Resources Leadership Institute
for the Chesapeake Bay         

Applying Collaborative Processes to Ecosystem Restoration Planning at
Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Habitat management at Fort Bragg was historically focused on single species management, which was undertaken individually by each stakeholder. In pursuant with a Department of Defense memorandum requiring a cooperative, ecological approach to ecosystem management, Daniel brought together stakeholders involved in ecosystem restoration on Fort Bragg to convene the Habitat Restoration Working Group (HRWG). The HRWG meets monthly to discuss habitat management area prescriptions and other issues relating to ecosystem restoration. The HRWG also became the implementation body for Fort Bragg’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, the base for all natural resource management on Fort Bragg.

The success of the HRWG became evident when the group continued to follow the principles of collaborative problem-solving set forth in their charter even after Daniel left Fort Bragg to become Refuge Manager of the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge.

The Southern Appalachian Native Plant Initiative

In 1996, the Southern Appalachian Ban and Biosphere (SAMAB) Cooperative, a federal and state agency cooperative, identified exotic pests as a major threat to the natural ecosystems of the southern Appalachian region. With the purpose of involving key stakeholders in promoting native plants, Hilary and Phillip teamed up to coordinate a joint native plant initiative. They sponsored a gathering of private and commercial interest groups, public agencies, and scientists to share resources and experiences with native and invasive non-native plants; created educational materials on native and non-native plants; and received a grant for placing interpretive signs at educational and commercial native planting sites.

Western North Carolina Tomorrow and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to develop partnerships and products to address the issue of exotic invasive plants and promote native plants, in turn increasing public awareness of the issues.

Oconaluftee River reenway Project and Regional Greenways
System in Western North Carolina

A lack of riparian zone protection along waterways in the Lower Little Tennessee Subbasin Watershed, combined with an expressed need for walking trails by the Cherokee Indian Reservation prompted Rob to convene a Regional Greenways Steering Committee. Composed of stakeholders from Graham, Jackson, and Swain Counties and the Cherokee Reservation, the Committee has been meeting since November 1998, and convened a "Healthy and Happy Trails Workshop/Conference" in May, 1999. The purpose of the workshop was to educate and share perspectives among the local and regional public about the social, economic, and environmental issues surrounding greenways. Participants in the workshop identified pilot projects and crafted an action plan for communities in the region.

Rob’s practicum has successfully laid the groundwork for future expansion of the Regional Steering Committee and development of a Regional Greenway System Plan.

Developing a Groundwater Guardian Community: Lake Norman Area of North Carolina

As the Lake Norman area in North Carolina becomes rapidly developed, the potential for problems with ground water quality increases. Matt endeavored to protect groundwater quality and quantity in the Lake Norman area by creating an awareness and understanding of groundwater issues among residents, businesses, and local governments. He is advancing his goal by becoming a Groundwater Guardian Affiliate with the Groundwater Section of DWQ, and forming a Groundwater Guardian Team composed of representatives from communities, environmental advocacy organizations, business, education, and government. Meetings of the Team will focus on identifying its mission and specific objectives. Matt’s practicum has helped to increase awareness about groundwater issues in the state through implementation of the DWQ Groundwater Guardian program.

Improving the Development of Objectives and Performance Measures for State Environmental and Transportation Agencies

"Fire in the urban interface" refers to wildfires that endanger homes built in woodland settings- a problem that occurs throughout coastal southeastern North Carolina.  Bob brought together New Hanover County Emergency Fire Agencies, the NC Forest Service, and New Hanover County Homeowners to gather information on the current urban interface condition in a locale of New Hanover County, and to formulate options for minimizing high risk conditions. 

The stakeholder group successfully raised awareness of local officials about the dangers of wildfire urban-interface problems in the county, and will implement principles developed during this study in other highly susceptible areas of the county.

Improving Water Quality in Yadkin County

Jack is providing a forum for Yadkin County leaders to increase understanding of water quality issues important to the county, and to provide an opportunity to search for consensus on solutions.

Karin Maloney
Nicolas School of the Environment, Duke University - Durham, NC

Assessing Public Interests on the Neuse River

I n 1997 the NC General Assembly passed legislation that required a 30% reduction in the amount of nitrogen discharged into the Neuse over the following five years. The MODMON project, a water quality modeling effort which stands for Modeling and Monitoring, was formed to address how much water quality improvement a 30% nitrogen reduction might produce. The troubled Neuse River Basin encompasses a variety of land uses and stakeholder groups, and the MODMON project seeks the input of these diverse interests in the modeling process. Karin sought to bring different stakeholders together to determine their perceptions and experiences with public involvement processes. Her goal was to provide tools for the MODMON team that would help improve the processes by which the public is involved in the issues associated with the Neuse.

By conducting public meetings, personal interviews, and written surveys, Karen gathered information about perceptions of public involvement in the Neuse River that will be incorporated by the MODMON team and participant organizations in their model and future meetings.

Creating a Regional Farm-Link Program Through Partnerships

Farm Link is a nationwide initiative to link retiring farmers with beginning farmers, thus keeping agricultural land in production. North Carolina is currently not among the fourteen states with Farm Link programs. Trudy plans to work with farmers, farm agencies, banks, attorneys, NC Cooperative Extension, environmental organizations, and local government officials to create a program that will preserve farmland through partnerships in Chatham, Durham, and Orange Counties.

Trudy plans to accomplish her goal by creating educational materials, convening workshops to educate possible clients about the possibilities of Farm Link, and forming partnerships with the various stakeholders.

Developing a Clearinghouse for Cross-Training and Collaboration.

Reed is establishing a coalition of Forest Product’s Company and timber harvesters to provide a clearinghouse for information and manpower necessary for training sessions offered by VFA-SFI and SWVA RC&D.

The American Tobacco Trail Planning Committee

In response to a request from the Rails to Trails Conservancy, the Wake County Board of Commissioners charged the Wake County Department of Parks and Recreation with the task of developing a plan to convert an abandoned railroad corridor to a linear trail called the American Tobacco Trail. While the county is concerned about providing recreational opportunities to its growing population, adjacent landowners are worried about the development of the trail negatively impacting their interests, and the various users do not necessarily agree with how the trail should be developed. David and Christy convened a planning committee for concerned stakeholders to tell each other their concerns, listen to each other, and work collaboratively at determining solutions to address their concerns.

The planning committee will meet until August, 1999. Their recommendations will be forwarded to the County Commissioners along with the plan for the trail, and a public meeting to present the plan will be held in November, 1999.

Collaborative Watershed Management in the Stoney Creek Watershed

Tom serves on the Mid-Neuse River Non-Point Source Management Team, organized by the NC DWQ to implement watershed management in the area. The group chose to focus their efforts on the Stoney Creek watershed. As co-chair of the Stoney Creek Project, Tom convened and facilitated a meeting of local stakeholders to inform them of the project and solicit their involvement in the effort. Then the diverse team of local, state, and federal agencies and local citizens collaboratively chose specific projects for improving water quality in the watershed, and submitted a proposal for funding these projects.

The success of their collaborative effort was evident when the NC DWQ Non-Point Source Group agreed to fund the entire project. The projects that the group will implement to improve water quality in the Stoney Creek watershed include best management practices, riparian buffers, and educational seminars/workshops.

  Establish a Teaxs Natural Resources Leadership Institute     

A Collaborative Approach to Resource Protection and Enhancement of
Recreational Areas in duPont State Forest

The state of North Carolina purchased land from duPont in 1997 with funds from the Natural Heritage Trust Fund, requiring that unique natural heritage areas within the forest be protected. Conflicts surrounding the new duPont State Forest included unsuccessful negotiations between NC Forest Resources and the NC Natural Heritage Program over designations of natural areas, and recreational user conflicts. Susan successfully mediated an agreement between NC Forest Resources and the NC Natural Heritage Program about natural area designations, then convened a recreational user-group citizen committee to designate and design trails in the forest.

She also involved her Brevard College students in the project by teaching them collaborative problem-solving skills and bringing them to the NC Environmental Education Conference to present their research on the duPont Forest collaborative process.

Establishment of Regional Leadership of the Lower Cape Fear River

Water quality problems in the lower part of the Caper Fear Basin have been attributed to a number of point sources and nonpoint sources, including large industry, and agriculture. Rick and Mary proactively addressed water quality problems in the lower Cape Fear Basin by establishing a regional council of leaders to address the causes of pollution. The diverse group of stakeholders is in the information-gathering phase and has been educating its members through field trips and workshops. The council will then generate options to evaluate, with a final goal of creating a plan to reduce pollution to the lower Cape Fear at the least cost. Rick and Mary’s ultimate goal is for the regional council to sustain itself beyond the life of the practicum. The self-sustenance of the council is likely due to an exhibition of strong leadership within the council during the first phase of the practicum.        

The state of North Carolina purchased land from duPont in 1997 with funds from the Natural Heritage Trust Fund, requiring that unique natural heritage areas within the forest be protected. Conflicts surrounding the new duPont State Forest included unsuccessful negotiations between NC Forest Resources and the NC Natural Heritage Program over designations of natural areas, and recreational user conflicts. Susan successfully mediated an agreement between NC Forest Resources and the NC Natural Heritage Program about natural area designations, then convened a recreational user-group citizen committee to designate and design trails in the forest. She also involved her Brevard College students in the project by teaching them collaborative problem-solving skills and bringing them to the NC Environmental Education Conference to present their research on the duPont Forest collaborative process.

Meeting the Urban Forestry Demand in New Hanover County

Recognizing a need to address urban forestry due to the continuous expansion of North Carolina’s cities, Rocky has been working with the NC Forest Service (NCFS) and NC Cooperative Extension Service (NCCES) to involve stakeholders in addressing urban forestry issues in New Hanover County.

Representatives from the county and Wilmington, private urban forestry professionals, arborists and environmental educators will meet to provide input on urban forestry needs. The information generated by the group will be used by the NCFS and NCCES in deciding how to administer joint urban forestry services.

Conservation of the Ecological Corridor of Central America

As coordinator of International Programs for the NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, George is actively involved in sustainable development projects in Central America. His practicum focuses upon unifying environmental conservation efforts in areas of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. The devastating effects of Hurricane Mitch in October 1998 delayed his efforts, but since international assistance efforts have included long-range watershed rehabilitation programs, the goal of unifying conservation efforts appears even more feasible.

George will convene representatives from government agencies, educational institutions, communities, local citizen organizations, non-governmental organizations, and donor agencies to discuss unification of local efforts into a consolidated conservation program.

The Southern Appalachian Native Plant Initiative

In 1996, the Southern Appalachian Ban and Biosphere (SAMAB) Cooperative, a federal and state agency cooperative, identified exotic pests as a major threat to the natural ecosystems of the southern Appalachian region. With the purpose of involving key stakeholders in promoting native plants, Hilary and Phillip teamed up to coordinate a joint native plant initiative. They sponsored a gathering of private and commercial interest groups, public agencies, and scientists to share resources and experiences with native and invasive non-native plants; created educational materials on native and non-native plants; and received a grant for placing interpretive signs at educational and commercial native planting sites.

Western North Carolina Tomorrow and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to develop partnerships and products to address the issue of exotic invasive plants and promote native plants, in turn increasing public awareness of the issues        

Increasing Compliance of Forestry Practices Guidelines
in the North Carolina Mountains

In North Carolina, forestry activities are exempt from the NC Sedimentation Pollution Control Act as long as Forestry Practices Guidelines(FPGs) are met. The FPGs identify Best Management Practices utilized in forestry operations to protect water quality. As one of the seven new Water Quality Foresters in the state, Greg aims to develop a regional plan in the northern NC mountains to increase compliance with FPGs.

His plan of convening local stakeholders to evaluate current conditions and explore possible improvements has received positive feedback. Three meetings are planned for identifying the issues, developing a group vision, and exploring potential actions for increasing compliance with FPGs.

Collaborative Development of a Swift Creek Watershed Management Strategy

The Swift Creek drainage area in the Tar-Pamlico river basin contains exceptional water quality and a diverse array of aquatic species. However, potential threats to the excellent water quality and aquatic species exist in the form of habitat loss, land use activities that adversely affect water quality, low stream flow, and wastewater discharges. To protect the existing excellent water quality and species, Steve is convening meetings of stakeholders who have interests in the issues surrounding management of Swift Creek.

This group will identify threats to the water quality and species of Swift Creek, and develop a draft management strategy for protecting water quality and aquatic resources of Swift Creek. Steve will use the draft management strategy to develop an official rule.

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