6.5 State Conservation Partners
Te DOD’s NR Program implements several initiatives and management strategies to conserve and protect federally listed species, provide climate change tools and workshops, address invasive species, and conserve and protect pollinators found on military instal- lations. Te North Carolina Sandhills Conservation Partnership and the Onslow Bight Conservation Forum (described in Section 6.8) support NR Program conservation initia- tives. Key DOD programs and resources that support conservation priorities described throughout this Plan are summarized in Appendix L (page 1239). 6.5 State Conservation Partners Since the 1800s, North Carolina has taken steps to protect the state’s natural resources through science-based stewardship and management programs that address not only land and water quality issues but also agricultural and forestry functions. In addition to NCWRC eforts, the mission of NCDENR is to protect North Carolina’s environment and natural resources. Tis mission is accomplished through collaboration among agency partners and stakeholders across the state and through legislation enacted by the NC General Assembly. Several divisions and organizational units within the NCDENR organization focus on man- agement and protection of wildlife and natural habitats. Key programs for these units are highlighted in this section. Te NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDACS) divisions have responsibilities in regulatory and service areas covering agronomy; animal health; crop and livestock statistics; USDA commodity distribution; state farm operations; research station operations; nursery and plant pest eradication activities; agricultural environmen- tal issues; soil and water conservation; forest management and protection; and many other related topics. Te agency’s mission is to provide services that promote and improve agri- culture, agribusiness and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farm- land and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. 6.5.1 NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) NCWRC (or Commission) has a much broader regulatory responsibility than just the rec- reational activities of hunting, trapping, fshing, and management of game lands. General Statutes charge the Commission with stewardship of all wildlife resources (see Chapter 1). As a result, the Commission enforces other rules—many pertaining to nongame wildlife. Nongame animals are defned in the General Statutes as all wild animals except game and fur-bearing animals (see Glossary for defnitions). Te mission of NCWRC is to conserve, protect, manage, restore, and regulate the wildlife resources of the state.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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