Meeting Agenda for Friday, February 9th, 2024, 9-11am

Transylvania County Community Services Building, 106 E. Morgan St., Brevard, NC 28712

Zoom Link for Virtual Attendees:

9:00-10:00…………Program:   “Fire Ecology of the Southern Appalachians”

Adam Warwick, Fire & Stewardship Manager, The Nature Conservancy

Mr. Warwick will present on the role of fire in the southern Appalachian Mountains over the past several thousand years until the present, as well as what Transylvania Co. residents can do to adapt to a future with more wildfires. Adam has been overseeing The Nature Conservancy’s land stewardship in western North Carolina since 2012. The majority of his time and efforts has been devoted to scaling up prescribed burning on public lands to restore open woodlands to the southern Blue Ridge’s pine and oak ecosystems. Adam is a NWCG Type 2 Burn Boss, and the NC Prescribed Fire Council recognized Adam as the Prescribed Burner of the Year in 2022. He has led multiple landscape teams on behalf of the Southern Blue Ridge Fire Learning Network.

Adam grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Tennessee and then obtained a Master of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Missouri. He then spent 10 years with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in overseeing wildlife management and supporting burning for Tate's Hell State Forest. Today, he lives in Mills River, NC with his wife, Joyce, and 13-year-old daughter Cameron; two Australian shepherds and two cats. In his spare time, Adam enjoys fishing, hunting, whitewater kayaking, and mountain biking.

 

10:00-11:00................ Business Meeting:

Welcome & Introductions Newly-Appointed Members Certification of Quorum

Approval of January Meeting Minutes Land Manager Updates

Committee Member Updates Subcommittee Updates

North Fork FBR Wild & Scenic River Flood Damage Protection Ordinance

Old Business New Business

TNRC-sponsored Landslide Forum

County-wide Bio-blitz involving TC Schools

Tentative Programs Schedule:

 

 

Possible future programs:

1. Dupont State Forest Master Plan Update
2. Updated Forest Plan (USFS)
3. NC Growth – Smart UP Field Guide to Blueways
4. User/entrance/parking fees for public recreational areas
5. Rescues and Safety on Public Lands
6. Ecusta Trail Updates (COB)
7. Chronic Wasting Disease within White-tailed Deer (NCWRC)
8. Mussels of the French Broad
9. River Snorkeling –  (Kevin Merrill, Oxbow)

 

Announcements:

 

The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for Friday, March 8^th from 9-11 AM at the Community Services Building, located at 106 E. Morgan St., Brevard.