GroWNC Natural Resources Workgroup meeting - March 2012

www.gro-wnc.org

Natural Resources Workgroup Meeting

Today’s Objectives

• Come to understanding of common goals

• Select nominations to Steering Committee

Trends & IssuesLoss of Agricultural Lands

Trends & IssuesClean/Green Tech

Trends & IssuesEco & Adventure Tourism

• Contributes more than $7.5b to NC Economy

• Supports 95,000 jobs in NC

• Generates $430m in annual state tax revenue

• Produces $6.1b in retail sales and services across the state

Source: Outdoor Industry Association

Issues Common to the Region

• Water and Air Quality• Habitats & Biodiversity• Topography-related

hazards

Natural Resource Goal Summary

Goals common to all 5 counties

• Preserve Natural Environment• Preserve Agricultural Lands• Promote Air and Water Quality• Protect viewsheds and ridgelines

Goals Discussion

Reality Check # 1

• One meeting in each county

• Open House Style• ‘Stations’ facilitated by

Workgroup and Project Team members

• Objective: – Introduce public to the

project – Get public feedback on

Goals & Objectives

Additional Discussion Points

• How do we message natural resources to the public?

• Natural Resources metrics and indicators• Ideas for separate complimentary projects• Examples of places/projects that do/do not

exemplify the goals• Project advocacy

Summer Work session

• Groups fully integrated• Goal-centric• Development of

scenarios and alternatives to test in the model