Chapter 6 Conservation Goals and Priorities
and/or lack appropriate conservation-oriented management. PCP employs a host of methods and procedures to perpetuate native plants and their ecosystems, including the acquisition and management of important plant sites and habitats. The PCP works with various partners to identify the most important sites for protecting imperiled plant species and with local land trusts and landowners to protect these sites as Plant Conservation Preserves in perpetuity. The most significant funding source for these preserves has been the Natural Heritage Trust Fund (now part of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, see Section 6.2). PCP’s regulatory activities involve administering the state’s Ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius ) harvest monitoring system to comply with federal and international mandates related to the trade of this species. Other regulatory activities involve permitting actions affecting the listed imperiled species and investigating violations of relevant portions of the Plant Protection and Conservation Act. In addition to laws specific to ginseng, there are rules and regulations protecting the listed imperiled plant species. Staff at the PCP issue permits for a variety of matters involving imperiled plants. Scholars, plant enthusiasts, and the NCDOT have worked with the PCP to minimize impacts of activities on imperiled plants. Information about programs and resources that support these priorities are described on the PCP website at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/plant-industry/plant-protection/plant-conservation-program. 6.5.4.3 Division of Soil and Water Conservation (S&WC) A seven-member Soil and Water Conservation (S&WC) Commission provides oversight, rules, and policy for the state soil and water conservation programs. These programs are voluntary and emphasize a locally led approach to improving and protecting water quality and natural resources for a wide range of land uses. The S&WC mission is to foster voluntary, incentive- driven management of soil, water, and related natural resources for the benefit of the environment, economy, and all citizens. This division provides programs, technical services, and educational outreach promoting voluntary natural resource management and conservation on the private lands of the state through a nonregulatory, incentive-driven approach. S&WC cooperates with federal and local partners to administer a comprehensive statewide program to protect and conserve the state’s soil and water resources. It is recognized as having one of the nation’s topsoil and water conservation programs for private lands. This effort is achieved through a conservation partnership composed of the state division, local soil and water conservation districts, and the NRCS, as well as private and nonprofit entities. Cost-share programs offer BMPs targeted to meet specific program goals to address agricultural, rural, and urban water resource issues. 6.5.4.4 Plant Industry Division, Apiary Program The mission of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Plant Industry Division is to ensure seed and fertilizer and other soil additives offered for sale in North Carolina meet prescribed standards and are truthfully labeled; to protect the state’s agriculture and natural environment from introduced plant pests, including insects, diseases, and noxious weeds; and to enhance and protect the state’s endangered and threatened plants. To meet this mission,
6 - 51
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator