One NC Naturally
Partnerships in Conservation
Quarterly Electronic Newsletter
Office of Conservation and Community Affairs

One NC Naturally Program Coordinators
report on progress implementing these programs:

Newest Member of the One NC Naturally Team
Begins Work in the West

Judith M. Francis, AICP, joined the One NC Naturally staff in mid-June and is based in the DENR Regional Office in Swannanoa. Judy’s background and work experience demonstrate her commitment to environmental integrity. She has been involved in land use activities in Florida, Colorado and North Carolina as a designer, project manager and planning director. In her new position, she will be assisting local governments and non-profit organizations to achieve their conservation objectives through ecological and economic analysis, as well as assisting with the implementation of the One NC Naturally Plan.

Francis has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Colorado State University and has focused her career on environmental issues through involvement in numerous conservation activities of regional and national significance. Her work involves establishing partnerships between multiple levels of government as well as non-governmental entities and non-profit organizations. In 2005, she was awarded the Local Government Conservationist of the Year Award by the North Carolina Land Trust Council for her work overseeing the planning process for lands around Lake James and the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. That work involved coordinating land uses in a multi-jurisdictional area, implementation of conservation districts and design standards to minimize impacts to floodplains, watershed areas and viewsheds. Her efforts resulted in thousands of acres being protected through expansions of local, state and federal recreation and habitat lands. An economic analysis of the project conducted by faculty at N.C. State University predicts an influx of millions of new dollars into the local economy.

Francis is also an adjunct faculty member at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C., where she teaches her students about historic and contemporary planning techniques, the responsibilities of citizenship and the role of democracy in the planning process. She and her family live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, where they enjoy flyfishing on some of the world’s best trout streams. You can contact her at Judy.Francis@ncmail.net.
Judy Francis
Western Regional Field Officer
Resource-Based Economic Development

 


Implementation of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan

Working with Partners to Implement CHPP - The first seven months on the job have been extremely busy for Jimmy Johnson, as he focused on the implementation of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan. In addition to working closely with the Environmental Management Commission, the Coastal Resources Commission and the Marine Fisheries Commission, he has been participating with many other groups working on CHPP-related issues, such as:
• CHPP Steering Committee
• CHPP State and Federal Permit Review Group
• Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Habitat Committee
• Proxy to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
• The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program’s Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Workgroup, Policy Board, Science and Technical Committee and the Citizen’s Advisory Committee
• The Nature Conservancy – participating in the Conservation Action Plan process for the Albemarle Region
• The N.C. Coastal Federation’s Oyster Restoration Plan
• The Coastal Caucus
• Marine Fisheries Commission Habitat and Water Quality Committee and Strategic Habitat Area Committee
• Onslow Bight Conservation Forum
• Outer Banks Task Force
• Partnership for the Sounds Advisory Board
Jimmy Johnson
Eastern Regional Field Officer
CHPP Coordination and Implementation
 
 
 


What's Up with Working Lands?

Soil & Water Conservation and Forestry Information Day Events - More than 1,000 people visited exhibits in downtown Raleigh in late May and early June to learn about the importance of soil and water conservation and forestry programs in North Carolina. Information Day events were sponsored by the N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the North Carolina Forestry Association. The events enabled partners to spend time with elected officials. Each of these events was supported by personnel from the Division of Soil and Water Conservation, conservation districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the N.C. Division of Forest Resources. Attendance by members of the General Assembly was outstanding at both events.

Community Conservation Authority - Conservation districts are being called upon to serve an increasing number of urban clients, not just the traditional farming community. To more clearly define meeting this need, the North Carolina General Assembly has adopted legislation that places responsibility for community conservation leadership with Soil and Water Conservation districts and the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation. This legislated authority gives districts direction to work in many new areas including stormwater issues, urban best management practices and working lands issues. Adoption of this legislation is a win for both the conservation districts and North Carolina residents. See related information on Bill H2129 in the Legislative update.

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Jerry Dorsett
Piedmont Regional Field Officer
Working Lands Coordination and Implementation

Increasing Working Lands Activity for Districts - With increasing frequency, conservation districts in North Carolina are dealing with a variety of working lands issues. Districts are being asked to monitor and hold easements and, in some instances, to hold title to property. Partners in this initiative include land owners, American Farmland Trust, N.C. State University, Cooperative Extension Service, land trusts, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and local governments.

Voluntary Agriculture District and Enhanced Voluntary Agriculture District Programs Available in More than Half the State
The state legislature made a wise decision in adopting two ordinances in recent years. The Voluntary Agriculture District Law was adopted in 1986 and the Enhanced Voluntary Agriculture District Law was adopted in 2005. Through these programs, local governments provide some protection for farms, while maintaining a healthy balance in the landscape, providing clean air and water, and boosting tourism and the economy. More than half of the counties in North Carolina have adopted a VAD program with the assistance of the Farm Bureau, the Cooperative Extension Service, N.C. State University and other partners. The Enhanced Voluntary Agriculture District program provides increased benefits to landowners and greater land use planning stability for the landscape.

The Division of Soil Natural Resources Conservation Service Water Conservation and Office of Conservation Natural Resources Conservation Service Community Affairs frequently receive calls for assistance with VAD and EVAD programs. If you are interested in establishing a VAD or EVAD in your county, Jerry Dorsett will be glad to help you get started with this process. Call or e-mail him at Jerry.dorsett@ncmail.net, or 336-771-4945.

Agriculture Protection Plans - One of the next steps forward in preserving and protecting working lands is adoption of County Agriculture Protection Plans. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs is encouraging development of these plans, and N.C. State University staff has provided much leadership with online guidance. Several counties in North Carolina have undertaken the planning process, which is expected to take about one year to complete. The result will be counties on the cutting edge of valuing and protecting working lands.

North Carolina Farm Family 2006 - Tim and Nell Bovender, of Rutherford County, were honored on June 2, 2006, as this year’s Outstanding Conservation Farm Family of North Carolina. The Bovender’s multi-generation farm was featured during a ceremony with more than 400 people in attendance. This conservation showcase event was made possible through project funds provided by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Clean Water Act grants.

Southeast National Association of Conservation Districts Meeting - The North Carolina Association of Soil call or e-mail Water Conservation Districts is sponsoring the annual meeting of the National Association of Conservation Districts. This event will be held Aug. 27–29 in Asheville, N.C. Attendees from across the Southeast United States will be present for this conference, which will include sessions on land stewardship, the Farm Bill, Land Care, environmental education and showcase districts. For more information on this event, visit www.ncaswcd.org.