Chapter 6 Conservation Goals and Priorities
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 the NCWRC efforts, the mission of NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ, https://www.deq.nc.gov), a cabinet-level agency, is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources. This 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 NCDEQ organization focus on management and protection of various natural resources. Key programs for these units are highlighted in this section. The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDACS, https://www.ncagr.gov) is a cabinet-level agency. 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 environmental issues; soil and water conservation; forest management and protection; and many other related topics. The agency’s mission is to provide services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. Key programs are highlighted in this section. 6.5.1 NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) The NCWRC (or Commission) is the state agency created by the General Assembly in 1947 to conserve and sustain the fish and wildlife resources of the state. The agency has a much broader responsibility than just the regulation of hunting, trapping, fishing, and the management of game lands. As a result, the Commission enforces other rules, conducts research, and collaborates with many other agencies and organizations on projects that include nongame wildlife. Nongame animals are defined in the General Statutes as all wild animals except game and fur-bearing animals (see Chapter 3 and Glossary for definitions). The mission of the NCWRC is to conserve, protect, manage, restore, and regulate the wildlife resources of the state. Toward this mission, Commission biologists conduct a variety of management and conservation activities, ranging from surveys and inventories to habitat management, to land acquisition. The agency is organized by divisions that are responsible for specific aspects of wildlife and habitat management and conservation. • The Inland Fisheries Division oversees the state’s inland (freshwater) and joint (coastal) fisheries, fish hatchery facilities, aquaculture propagation, boating and public fishing access. The division manages public mountain trout waters, a community fishing program, sport fish stocking, and the conservation efforts of aquatic nongame species.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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