Chapter 6 Conservation Goals and Priorities
philanthropic foundations, professional organizations, conservation groups, industry, the academic community, and private individuals. NCPIF is a statewide initiative that brings together government, private, and public organizations, and individuals to further migratory bird conservation through habitat protection, management, monitoring, professional training, and education. NCPIF is also part of the Eastern Working Group. Additional information is available from its website http://ncpartnersinflight.org. 6.9.13 NC Prescribed Fire Council Fire is a natural part of North Carolina’s ecosystem. Low-intensity fire historically occurred across the state to maintain some ecosystems. Today, prescribed burning is essential to the perpetuation, restoration, and management of many plant and animal communities. The mission of the NC Prescribed Fire Council is to foster cooperation among all parties in North Carolina with an interest or stake in prescribed fire. The goal is to optimize burning opportunities for the benefit of natural ecosystems and wildlife and to reduce the risk of damage from wildfires. This will be accomplished by encouraging the exchange of information, techniques, and experiences among practitioners of prescribed fire in North Carolina. Another goal is to promote public understanding of the regional importance and benefits of prescribed fire. Goals and objectives are described in the Council’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, which is available online https://ncprescribedfirecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/NC-PFC-Strategic- Plan-Final-December-2024.pdf. Council members represent federal and state agencies, organizations, corporations, institutions, or private landowners with an interest in prescribed fire and whose goals are consistent with the Council’s mission. The Council advocates for increased expertise in prescribed fire through the sharing of technical and biological information; promotes safety, training, and research in the art and science of prescribed fire; reviews prescribed fire practices, regulations, and policies, and suggests improvements; and promotes BMPs that minimize smoke and air quality impacts from prescribed fires. The Council is affiliated with the Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils. Additional information is available from its website https://ncprescribedfirecouncil.org/. 6.9.14 NC Sandhills Conservation Partnership (NCSCP) The NC Sandhills Conservation Partnership (NCSCP) was created in 2000 with the mission to protect, enhance, and restore the unique Sandhills environment. The Partnership facilitates collaboration among various federal, state, and nonprofit conservation groups for the purposes of conserving the vanishing Longleaf Pine ecosystem and recovering the endangered Red- cockaded Woodpecker in the North Carolina Sandhills. The NCSCP seeks input from more than 18 stakeholder organizations and has developed a landscape-level strategic conservation plan for the Sandhills. In addition to traditional natural resource and land conservation organizations, the Partnership includes the US Army, a key partner in the region.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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