Partners in Preservation: Students and Faculty Join Wake County for Learning and Stewardship

– submitted by Meghan Lobsinger and George Hess

Beautiful day to be out outside, learning and helping WakeNatureOn Friday September 10 – a beautiful, blue-sky morning – a handful of College of Natural Resources students and faculty traveled to eastern Wake County to learn about Piedmont prairies and help remove invasive, exotic plant species as part of a prairie restoration project.  Staff from Wake County’s Division of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space joined them at the County-owned area of some 220 acres that is slated to become the first WakeNature Preserve later this year.

John Stucky explaining to students the significance of the plant species found on the site

John Stucky explaining to students the significance of the plant species found on the site

Co-chaired by College of Natural Resources faculty members George Hess and Toddi Steelman, the WakeNature Preserves Partnership brings together NC State University faculty and students, and natural resource and park system professionals from various state, county, municipal, and non-profit agencies.  Their goal: identify and steward the finest natural areas in Wake County for everyone to enjoy.

WakeNature has become a rich platform for student and faculty involvement and learning.  Several classes have participated in WakeNature-related projects, bringing real-world experiences to graduate and undergraduate students.  Numerous workdays, like the one on September 10, have provided additional opportunities for students to learn and interact with other professionals in the field.  Recently, members of the Leopold Wildlife Club have expressed an interest in carrying out wildlife surveys for WakeNature.

Charles Rudder, Meghan Lobsinger and Adrian Zeck working together to remove exotic, invasive plants from the site

Charles Rudder, Meghan Lobsinger and Adrian Zeck working together to remove exotic, invasive plants from the site

WakeNature envisions a County-wide, cross-jurisdictional brand of “WakeNature Preserves” that highlights Wake County’s finest natural areas and raises public awareness and appreciation of these special places. Continued involvement of enthusiastic members of the NC State and College of Natural Resources communities is critical to attaining this vision.  There will be many opportunities to become involved in inventory and stewardship opportunities as the WakeNature network expands.  We hope you’ll join us!

Please visit www.WakeNature.org for more information.

Meghan Lobsinger is a graduate student in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources and a program assistant with Wake County Division of Parks, Recreation & Open Space.

George Hess is an associate professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources and the co-chair of WakeNature

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