Chapter 3 North Carolina Species
Insects recommended as SGCN include those listed for federal ESA protections; that are important to pollination and certain food web cycles; being tracked by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP); or were identified by biologists, researchers, and other knowledgeable experts to be of cultural, national, or state conservation concern. The insects identified as conservation and research priorities include important pollinator species (bees, wasps, butterflies, and moths) and species with significant aquatic life stages that are important indicators of water quality and are part of aquatic food webs (dragonflies, mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies). Plant SGCN were added to the 2015 SWAP through Addendum 2 (published in 2022). Plant SGCN are those species designated by the state for protection under North Carolina’s state listing process. A complete list of all plant SGCN and their federal and/or state listing status and NatureServe global (G rank) and State (S rank) ranking is provided in Table 3-11 (in Appendix 3). It should be noted that the regulations governing the use of SWG funds clearly state that funds cannot be used for plant SGCN. 3.1.4.1 Cherokee Species of Concern All native organisms found within EBCI’s aboriginal homelands are tied to Cherokee identity and culture. The simple act of seeing the diversity of life within streams and a forest can provide a spiritual connection and provide an economic value as a view-scape (EBCI 2013, 2022) . Determining where to focus limited resources in the face of accelerating threats to ecological integrity is a challenging task. The Tribe works to identify and prioritize conservation targets through the integration of both cultural values and modern scientific perspectives. In turn, EBCI Natural Resources focuses its conservation strategies on biological conditions that will affect prioritized conservation targets (EBCI 2022) . Specific biological conditions receiving management attention consist of species, assemblages, and habitat-specific conservation targets based upon a variety of cultural, economic, legal, and ecological factors (EBCI 2022) . The Cherokee prioritize species for cultural significance based on an expression of community value as documented in the EBCI Legacy Plan (EBCI 2013) , contemporary and historic public input, and historic documentation verified by the EBCI Tribal Historic Preservation Office (EBCI 2022) . The EBCI Wildlife Action Plan (2022) is available in Appendix 3 as Reference Document 3-3.
Tribal prioritization considers cultural and ecological significance and the biodiversity of species and natural systems.
• Cultural Significance recognizes that plants and animals often possess multiple cultural values and uses, including consumptive and recreational subsistence purposes, artisan and traditional cultural practices, and spiritual and aesthetic values (EBCI 2022) .
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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