Chapter 5 Threats
regional assessment and framework for coordination and collaboration. By using a regional approach, landscape-scale considerations for North Carolina can serve as a means for the state to find potential collaborations to best support the state’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and Southeast Regional SGCN (RSGCN). The report, “North Carolina, a Regional Perspective on Climate Change and Resiliency” is provided in Appendix 5 as Reference Document 5-2. Additionally, SECAS provided a perspective on climate impacts with a special focus on cold water species and habitats in western North Carolina. The report, “A Closer Look –Appalachia as Both a Climate Refuge and Climate-Stressed Habitat for North Carolina Species” is provided in Appendix 5 as Reference Document 5-3. Additionally, some of the threats that impact SGCN locally (e.g., development, disease) have consequences statewide and regionally. Addressing these threats effectively requires aligning conservation strategies across state boundaries. By using consistent regional information shared by other states to inform its SWAP, North Carolina can better contribute to regional conservation priorities, identify potential landscape-level threats, and help connect the Southeast region’s lands and waters. In 2024, the NCWRC developed its first Climate Resiliency Strategy (herein referred to as ‘the Strategy’) to ensure the responsible management and protection of the state's ecosystems and species, offering future opportunities for North Carolina residents to enjoy these resources (NCWRC 2024) . The Strategy identifies ways that the agency undertakes or could undertake to address the shift in ecological regimes and its impact on wildlife distribution. The strategies also help staff assess climate impacts on habitats and work to implement needed actions to address habitat needs of fish and wildlife in North Carolina. The Executive Summary for the resilience plan is included in Appendix 5 as Reference Document 5-4. A comparison of expected impacts from climate change to other threats to North Carolina’s fish and wildlife species is included in Chapter 3. Information about climate impacts to aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial natural communities that are important wildlife habitats is included in Chapter 4. Additional statewide climate assessments have been developed by other state agencies to address expected impacts, to provide information for adaptation measures, and to identify potential collaborations and partnerships to implement adaptation measures. Information about these assessments is provided in the following subsection. 5.12.1.1 North Carolina Climate Assessments The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) collaborates with citizens, utilities, businesses, local governments, state and federal agencies, and education partners to reduce carbon pollution by developing cleaner, more efficient and innovative technology solutions to protect the state’s environment. Former Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order (EO) 80 that commits to North Carolina to addressing climate change and transition to a clean energy economy. A Climate Change Interagency Council was convened to help cabinet agencies work together in developing appropriate measures to address climate change impacts. A number of plans were developed and are available on the NCDEQ website
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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