• Farming is the largest economic engine in the state at 46 billion dollars and provides 22% of the state's jobs, yet we are losing farm land at the rate of 34,460 acre per year.
  
  
• The fisheries habitats in our sounds and oceans are a critical part of the coastal economy and culture. Commercial fishermen landed 160 million pounds of fish and shellfish at Tar Heel docks in 2002, with the catch valued at $94.6 million. However, 34% of our coastal wetlands have been altered to the point that they no longer serve their natural function.
  
  
• In summer 2002, the height of the state's recent historic drought, High Rock Lake in Davidson and Rowan Counties almost completely dried up, forcing the closure of a local marina, the cancellation of an annual fishing tournament, and preventing all boating activity on the lake.
  
  
• Tourism is one of the state's most thriving industries, generating ten billion dollars per year. The number one top attraction here is the Blue Ridge Parkway, number three is the state parks, and number four is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Of the top tourism activities in the state, number two is visiting beaches, number three is participating in outdoor activities.
  
  
• According to a 2003 report from North Carolina State University's Institute for Emerging Issues, vibrant communities attract desirable industry, and part of what makes a vibrant community includes the quality of life brought by a healthy environment and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
  

North Carolina needs to change its collective mindset and realize that the goals of a healthy environment and economy are not mutually exclusive. The natural and economic assets of North Carolina are intertwined and interdependent, and one cannot thrive without the other.

North Carolina's extremely diverse natural environment enables the economic gain we enjoy. The motivation for conserving these natural assets transcends aesthetics or ethics - conservation is essential for quality of life, economic gain and human survival. To sustain these natural assets and their benefits, One North Carolina Naturally is developing a comprehensive statewide conservation plan by determining what conservation activities are underway, how to connect and support those efforts, and how to fill in the gaps.

Partnerships in Conservation will help us communicate our statewide strategy for conservation, provide you with details of the conservation activities in your region, and highlight exciting conservation programs and initiatives occurring across our state. We also hope it will be a tool for you to use in educating your community on the natural, economic and social benefits of land preservation. Our interest is to connect you with our efforts in statewide conservation; to make conservation at the local and regional level interconnected and to provide a framework through planning that will chart the conservation of the state natural resources over the next 25 years.

This inaugural issue contains an update of our progress on the development of a statewide conservation plan, regional planning activities, links to recent reports and a calendar of upcoming events. We are excited about our first edition of Partnerships in Conservation and hope that you will read it with interest and forward it to those who may not have received a copy. You can also get your name on the mailing list by subscribing at
N1-List@ONCN.newslist@ncmail.net
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