Title
Receive a presentation on the newly released Natural Heritage Program Inventory for Chatham County
Abstract
Introduction & Background: The Planning Department and the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, in collaboration with the Triangle Land Conservancy, completed a county-wide update of ecologically significant areas.
The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program is a non-regulatory state program that collects and shares information on rare species and natural areas. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program creates tools that allow communities better-informed decision-making opportunities. Triangle Land Conservancy is a non-profit land trust that focuses on protecting water, natural habitats, and farmland in North Carolina. Since its inception, Triangle Land Conservancy has permanently conserved 23,000 acres of land in the Triangle region.
This inventory was funded as part of the Chatham County budget with field work completed during 2024 and 2025. 413 landowners were contacted for the survey, with 112 of those sites included in the final inventory. With the last inventory being over 30 years old, this update expands the work completed in the first as well as features newly described natural environments. This inventory highlights the location of rare species and ecologically significant areas, providing an important tool for guiding conservation endeavors and development in the county.
Discussion & Analysis: This presentation will provide an introduction to the inventory, a run-through of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program terminology, an overview of the findings, and how it will be used in the county moving forward.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: The inventory will guide the location of conservation goals set in Plan Chatham.
Budgetary Impact: There is no budgetary impact from this agenda item.
Recommendation/Motion: Receive the presentation from the Planning Department and North Carolina Natural Heritage Program ...
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