Appendix 5
Reference Document 5-2
Table 1. Extent of each Blueprint priority category within North Carolina and how much of the lands and waters within the state that are considered protected areas (as identified by PAD-US 4.0) are identified by the Blueprint as priority places for connecting lands and waters. These two metrics are provided to show how much of the lands and waters within the state are recognized by the Blueprint as well as how much of the state’s conservation portfolio falls within Blueprint priority categories. For example, the Blueprint recognizes about 11% of NC’s lands and waters as the highest priority for connecting lands and waters. However, 43% of NC’s protected lands and waters are considered highest priority by the Blueprint.
Priority for a connected network
Acres of each Blueprint (v2024) priority category within NC
Protected land and waters (acres and percent) within the state of conserved lands (PAD- US 4.0) recognized as Blueprint priority
Highest
3,744,058 (10.9%)
2,024,924 (43%)
High
5,363,472 (16.6%)
1,263,891 (27%)
Medium
6,738,022 (19.6%)
1,041,426 (22%)
Priority connections
2,130,432 (6.2%)
76,518 (2%)
Lower priority
16,467,847 (47.8%)
304,406 (6%)
Total
34,443,831 (100%)
3,964,941 (100%)
Table 2. Extent of each Blueprint priority category within North Carolina’s ecoregions.
North Carolina ecoregions
Amount of ecoregion identified by the Southeast Blueprint (acres)
Percent of ecoregion identified as a Blueprint priority
Blue ridge
3,616,451
68%
Piedmont
5,129,953
44%
Sandhills
782,814
72%
Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain
5,715,018
42%
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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