U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Appendix A:

North Carolina Partners Program Focus Areas

Introduction and Overview valuable conservation land. An active Non alluvial swamp forests occur North Carolina prides itself on its system of Land Trusts, the North in broad “flats” with poorly defined rich ecological and cultural diversity. Carolina Chapter of The Nature drainage systems. They do not receive Its pristine beaches, wide seafood Conservancy, and many other nonprofit “over-bank” flooding, but are primarily filled sounds and estuaries, sprawling organizations also manage and protect flooded by rainfall. These forested floodplains, sweltering sandhills with many of North Carolina’s valuable wetlands, along with pocosins, once swaying longleaf pines, rolling hills, ecosystems. covered thousands of square miles winding rivers, crashing waterfalls, of eastern North Carolina. Their and awesome mountain peaks The fact remains that 90 percent of dominant tree species are black gum, provide homes for such species as the land in North Carolina is privately loblolly bay, red maple, sweet gum, sea turtles, brown pelicans, Venus owned. Without conservation efforts on cypress, and Atlantic white cedar. This flytraps, blue crabs, ducks, red private land, our trust resources would assemblage of forested wetland types cockaded woodpeckers, bald eagles, simply not survive. Private landowners is important for high priority species freshwater mussels, and Indiana bats. want to conserve and restore habitats, such as cerulean warbler, Swainson’s Ironically, it is these types of Federal but they often lack the technical and warbler, black-throated green warbler, trust resources and their habitats financial support necessary to manage American woodcock, wood thrush, that have attracted so many people their land so that it can support wildlife rusty blackbird, red wolf, and black and businesses to North Carolina. and meet their needs financially. bear. Today, the very resources that have The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s made North Carolina so appealing (Service) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Large-scale land clearing has created and successful are threatened by (PFW) Program helps satisfy this need. many problems for wildlife and water urban sprawl, growing industry, and quality, especially in the Coastal Plain associated development. Overview of Priority Habitats region. These problems include the loss and Their Threats of forested wetlands (i.e., conversion to The Coastal Plain, , and agriculture), drainage and conversion Mountain regions of North Carolina Forested Wetlands - bottomland to loblolly pine plantations, drainage house over 16,000 plant and animal hardwoods, non-alluvial swamp forest, and destructive logging techniques, species. Presently, 7,514 of these pocosins release of nutrients and mercury are considered rare, threatened, or due to oxidation of organic soils, and endangered according to Federal Bottomland hardwoods, occurring habitat fragmentation. In a study and State agencies and private along the streams, receive rich layers of wetland losses prepared by the conservation organizations. Ten of soil during frequent over-bank Service’s National Wetland Inventory, National Wildlife Refuges, covering flooding events and thus are some North Carolina stood out among all 391,000 acres in the State, are of our most productive forested southeastern states with the highest protected and managed for many wetlands. Important tree species are acreage of net wetland loss, an important species. Other government the many wetland oaks, sugarberry, estimated 1.2 million acres. Nearly agencies, such as the Department elms, green ash, red maple, box elder, all the losses were from forested of Defense, National Park Service, and sweetgum, with water tupelo and and scrub/shrub wetlands and were U.S. Forest Service, North Carolina cypress in the lower, wetter zones. concentrated in the “Coastal Flats” Wildlife Resources Commission, and region of the State (Hefner et. al. 1994). North Carolina Department of Parks and Recreation, manage and protect

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More recently these habitats have successful impacts to priority habitats become threatened by salt water and in some cases populations of focal intrusion and sea level rise. species. In a few cases our biologists are able to collect data, but in many cases we must rely on the expertise The longleaf pine ecosystem, which of our partners to help with species once covered 92 million acres of the status surveys. The PFW Program southeastern United States from monitoring protocol for the Southeast Texas to Maryland, included over nine Region is presented in Appendix E. million acres in central and eastern North Carolina. Remnants of the In the Sandhills Focus Area where longleaf pine ecosystem in North red-cockaded woodpeckers are Carolina still play a vital role for many a focus species, many partners, wildlife species. Through the America’s including the Sandhills Ecological Longleaf Initiative this habitat has Institute, NC State University, and gained increased focus from our the North Carolina Wildlife Resources partnering agencies and organizations. Mountain sweet pitcher plant, an endangered insectivorous plant, is endemic to Commission work cooperatively with The North Carolina Longleaf Coalition a few mountain bogs and streambanks in , USFWS. us to collect population data, including and the North Carolina Prescribed breeding data. From that information Fire Council are both working we are often able to assess the success locally to restore and manage this of our PFW longleaf pine restoration naturally diverse ecosystem that projects on the species in that area. supports several federally listed species including the red-cockaded The , part of the Greater Uwharrie Focus Area, provides In other focus areas, breeding birds woodpecker, Micheaux’s sumac, and habitat for eight federal species of concern (six mussels and two fish) and two are the focal species. Impacts to their rough-leafed loosestrife. It is also an anadromous fish, credit K. Douglass. populations are determined from important habitat for migratory birds breeding bird surveys conducted such as Bachman’s sparrow, pine species of concern depend on good Other Priority Habitats before and after habitat restoration warbler, and brown-headed nuthatch. water quality and habitat for their Piedmont remnant grasslands, work. Projects are often relatively existence. Floodplain pools provide Carolina bays, bogs and fens, coastal small, making it difficult to know with Threats to the longleaf pine ecosystem important habitat for amphibians. dunes, and upland hardwood forests certainty if changes in bird use are the are the exclusion of fire, urban Streams also provide recreational are also important and declining results of our work. sprawl, development, and conversion opportunities for the public and serve habitats, necessary for many rare to loblolly pine plantations. Fire, an as public water supplies. species as well as migratory birds. In the watershed focus areas including essential element in the management Like other habitat types, alteration for the Upper Nolichucky, Upper Little and maintenance of the longleaf pine Stream corridors have been abused development, forestry, and agriculture Tennessee, and Upper Tar Rivers, ecosystem and native prairies, has for decades. Timbering, transportation is their primary threat. Some of these PFW biologists and endangered often been eliminated due to a lack of and utility line development, and may also be vulnerable to impacts species biologists cooperate with the understanding and education about its various agricultural practices have from global climate change. Piedmont North Carolina Wildlife Resources importance and difficulty of burning at traditionally taken place within remnant grasslands, commonly Commission and others to conduct the urban interface. called “Piedmont prairies,” contain mussel and native fish surveys floodplains. Resulting negative effects PFW Coordinator John Ann Shearer works with students from AB Combs a whole suite of native bird and rare both prior to and after restoration. on stream ecosystems include increased Leadership Magnet Elementary School in Wake County, North Carolina to plant Streams and Riparian Areas plant species including the federally Occasionally our projects are sedimentation, soil compaction, native plants in a newly constructed rain garden. The rain garden was built to Streams and their surrounding endangered Schweinitz’s sunflower implemented in conjunction with degraded instream habitat, and loss of improve water quality in the impaired Simmons Branch watershed by filtering riparian areas and floodplains contain and smooth coneflower. Also of concern university researchers, such as UNC- vegetation. Without filtering floodplain runoff. It will also provide an outdoor learning lab for students and teachers, rich and diverse habitat. They perform are the mountain bogs and fens of Asheville’s study to monitor ecosystem buffers, fertilizers used in near-stream USFWS. many ecological and hydrological row cropping and stormwater runoff the Southern Appalachians and the response to dam removal in the North functions such as regulating have impacted waters. Streams have hillside seepage bogs of the Piedmont; Toe River in western North Carolina. stormwater flow, moving sediment also been impacted by the construction these bogs and fens are a critically- Connecting People with Monitoring and woody debris, filtering pollutants of dams, roads, and utility lines that endangered wetland ecosystems and Nature Initiative Monitoring the success of PFW from runoff, and providing habitat have caused changes in flow patterns, home to many federally listed plants, The PFW Program in North Carolina projects is an important, but for aquatic and terrestrial plants and fragmenting and eliminating access such as bunched arrowhead and will continue to promote school-yard challenging task. Traditionally we have animals. Streams and riparian areas to habitat used by aquatic species, mountain sweet pitcher plant, as well habitat and other outdoor education reported habitat improvements as provide essential habitat for many including anadromous fish such as as the bog turtle. Less than 500 acres efforts with our partners, emphasizing acres and miles, and we will continue imperiled species such as the federally American shad and eel, as well as of mountain bogs and fens are known “hands-on” education about wildlife to tally this information. However, with listed Appalachian elktoe mussel, Tar resident fish such as brook trout. to exist in North Carolina today, a and conservation to young people the adoption of the Strategic Habitat River spinymussel, spotfin chub, and 90 percent loss from the 5,000 acres and providing them with outdoor Conservation framework we now work Virginia spiraea. Many other Federal originally estimated to have existed. educational opportunities. with our partners to help determine

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Five-Year Accomplishment Targets hydrology and natural vegetation (FY 2012 – FY 2016) in degraded wetlands, and invasive n Riparian: 10.0 miles species control). n Instream: 0.25 miles Upper Nolichucky n Structures (Removed or Installed): 2 Focus Area Focus Species* The upper Nolichucky River Basin, n Spotfin Chub (T) just north of the Upper French Broad watershed, is one of the last strong n Littlewing pearly mussel (E) holds in western North Carolina for n Virginia spiraea (T) the endangered Appalachian elktoe. This Basin includes the North and n Appalachian elktoe (E) South Toe Rivers, the Cane River, as well as the mainstem of the Nolichucky n Sicklefin redhorse (C) River. Portions of the Toe and Cane Threats rivers and the entire Nolichucky n Erosion, sedimentation, and River are designated as critical contaminants issues resulting from habitat for the Appalachian elktoe. run-off from agricultural operations, The Toe and Nolichucky Rivers are urban expansion, other development considered Aquatic Significant Natural activities, etc. Heritage Areas (ASNHA) of National Upper Little Tennessee/Tuckasegee Focus Area Importance, while the Cane River is n Loss of riparian buffer zones Upper French Broad Focus Area an ASNHA of State Importance. This watershed lies within the Eastern n Fish passage barriers River has designated critical habitat Threats Brook Trout Joint Venture area, and North Carolina PFW Upper Little Tennessee/ for the endangered Appalachian n Erosion, sedimentation, and n Invasive species the southern strain of Eastern Brook Program Focus Areas Tuckasegee Focus Area elktoe. Brook trout are found in select contaminants issues resulting from Trout is known to inhabit certain Ten geographic focus areas have been The Little Tennessee River Basin in Action Strategies streams at higher elevations, including run-off from agricultural operations, tributary streams. Projects here will established for North Carolina. While North Carolina has over 150 designated n Work with private landowners and the southern strain of Eastern Brook urban expansion, other development focus on the restoration of instream, some focus strictly on one priority Significant Natural Heritage Areas, other partners to improve aquatic Trout, and this area is within the activities, etc. riparian, wetland, and floodplain habitat, others encompass several according to the North Carolina habitat by reducing or eliminating Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture. In n Loss of riparian buffer zones habitats and will also include tributary priority habitats. The focus areas, Natural Heritage Program. The threats through the implementation addition to restoration, enhancement, streams and their floodplains. In spanning from the mountains to the 25-mile reach of free-flowing Little of best management practices and and protection practices along stream n Fish passage barriers addition, barriers to aquatic species coast, were carefully selected by local Tennessee River downstream of Lake habitat restoration methods (e.g., and river corridors, projects here will will be inventoried and passage will private lands biologists who received Emory Dam in Macon and Swain protect and restore riparian zones, seek to restore and protect southern n Loss of wetland habitat due to a be restored in priority areas at road guidance and recommendations from counties, and the , install fencing to exclude livestock Appalachian mountain bogs and fens, variety of human-related actions, crossings and dams. multiple conservation partners and have been identified by the North from streams, provide alternate and associated wetlands. including development and other land plans including the North Carolina Carolina Natural Heritage Program as water sources for livestock, apply use changes Priority Habitats natural channel design techniques Priority Habitat Wildlife Action Plan; Service Recovery Aquatic Significant Natural Heritage n Invasive species Riparian corridor, Instream Plans for federally listed species; the Areas of National importance. The and other instream habitat Riparian Corridor, wetlands Service Raleigh and Asheville Field Little Tennessee River supports the techniques, remove fish barriers, Action Strategies Five-Year Accomplishment Target Five-Year Accomplishment Targets Office’s Strategic Plans; Partners greatest diversity and abundance apply water-control structures when n Work with private landowners (FY 2012 – FY 2016) (FY 2012 – FY 2016) in Flight Bird Conservation Plans; of aquatic species in western North appropriate, invasive species control). and other partners to restore and Riparian: 1.0 Mile n Riparian: 40.0 miles conservation plans from National, Carolina, and has designated critical enhance wetlands and improve regional, and local conservation habitat for two federally listed species Upper French Broad Wetland: 50 acres aquatic habitat by reducing or n Structures (removed): 4 partnerships and resource agencies; (Appalachian elktoe and spotfin chub). eliminating threats through the n Instream: 0.25 mile and input from agencies, organizations, Because of its north-south orientation Focus Area Focus Species* implementation of best management and landowners. The occurrence and large concentration of wetlands, The Upper n Appalachian elktoe (E) practices and habitat restoration Focus Species* of successful PFW projects and the Little Tennessee River serves as Watershed is located in western methods (e.g., protect and restore n Mountain blotched chub (SOC) n Appalachian elktoe (E) anticipated future successful projects a key migratory flyway for birds. The North Carolina primarily in riparian zones, install fencing to also were taken into account. Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band Madison, Buncombe, Henderson, and n Brook trout (SOC) exclude livestock from streams, n Brook trout (SOC) of the Nation occupies a Transylvania Counties. This sub-basin provide alternate water sources n Sharphead darter (SOC) portion of the watershed. contains some of the last remaining n Hellbender (SOC) for livestock, apply natural channel populations of several federally listed n Bog turtle (T-S/A) design techniques and other n Blotchside logperch (SOC) Priority Habitats species that occur in North Carolina, instream habitat techniques, remove Riparian, instream, and floodplains including Appalachian elktoe, bog n Mountain sweet pitcher plant (E) fish barriers, apply water-control n Hellbender (SOC) turtle, mountain sweet pitcher plant, structures when appropriate, restore and bunched arrowhead. The Little

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Threats flatrocks, and Piedmont longleaf pine n Erosion, sedimentation, and forests. The focus area encompasses contaminants issues resulting from eight ASNHA of National Importance run-off from agricultural operations, with an array of federally and State urban expansion, other development listed species. activities, etc. Priority Habitats n Loss of riparian buffer zones Riparian, wetlands, uplands n Fish passage barriers Five-Year Accomplishment Targets n Invasive species (FY 2012 – FY2016) n Riparian: 189.0 miles Action Strategies n Work with private landowners and n Structures (removed): 1 other partners to improve aquatic n Wetland: 60 acres habitat by reducing or eliminating threats through the implementation n Upland: 400 acres of best management practices and habitat restoration methods (e.g., Focus Species* protect and restore riparian zones, Riparian/Instream install fencing to exclude livestock n Brook floater (SOC) from streams, provide alternate Demolition of the Toe River (Spruce Pine) Dam in the Upper Nolichucky Focus water sources for livestock, apply Area. Local contractors use two excavators to remove the dam’s right section. n Roanoke slabshell (SOC) Upper Nolichucky Focus Area natural channel design techniques One is equiped with a hydraulic hammer to break up the dam, while another and other instream habitat n Carolina creekshell (SOC) moves rubble out of the way to be disposed of at a later date. This project restored techniques, remove fish barriers, passage for fish and other aquatic species to over 40 miles of the river mainstem, n American shad (SOC) apply water-control structures when and provided a safer passage for recreational users, USFWS. appropriate, invasive species control). n Carolina Redhorse (SOC) Greater Uwharrie Wetland Focus Area n Mole salamander (SOC) The Greater Uwharrie Focus Area is n Four-toed salamander (SOC) aligned with the Greater Uwharrie Conservation Partnership that n Pitcher plant moth (SOC) formed in 2006 and is represented n Yellow pitcher plant (SOC) by 13 partner organizations. The mission of the Partnership is “to work Upland for the long-term conservation and enhancement of biological diversity and n Schweinitz’s sunflower (E) ecosystem sustainability throughout n Georgia aster (C) the Greater Uwharries consistent with the conservation and management Threats objectives of the participating n Erosion, sedimentation, and organizations and agencies.” Located contaminants issues resulting from in the southern, central Piedmont, the run-off from agricultural operations, Greater Uwharrie Focus Area contains urban expansion, other development the ancient mountain range known as activities, etc. the Uwharries, a series of lakes along the Yadkin-Pee Dee watershed, and n Loss of riparian buffer zones several State and Federal protected A kayaker “goes with the flow” through the newly opened section of river, n Fish passage barriers Greater Uwharrie Focus Area areas such as Morrow Mountain State USFWS. Park, Uwharrie National Forest, and n Loss of wetland and upland habitat Pee Dee . due to a variety of human-related The highest ranked significant actions, including development and natural heritage plant communities other land use changes in this region include hillside seepage bogs, upland pools, Uwharrie boggy n Invasive species streamheads, Piedmont cliffs, granitic

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Action Strategies Priority Habitat n Work with private landowners Upland (Longleaf pine ecosystem, and other partners to restore and Native grasslands) enhance priority wetlands and uplands and improve aquatic habitat Five-Year Accomplishment Target by reducing or eliminating threats (FY 2012 – FY 2016) through the implementation of best n Upland: 1,000 acres management practices and habitat restoration methods (e.g., protect Focus Species* and restore riparian zones, install n Red-cockaded woodpecker (E) fencing to exclude livestock from n Bachman’s sparrow (SOC) streams, provide alternate water sources for livestock, apply natural Threats channel design techniques and other n Continuing loss of longleaf pine due instream habitat techniques, remove to a variety of human-related factors, fish barriers, apply water-control including agriculture, development, structures when appropriate, restore urban sprawl, failure to use hydrology and natural vegetation in prescribed fire, conversion to other degraded wetlands and uplands, and pine types invasive species control). n Invasive species North Carolina Action Strategies North Carolina Sandhills Focus Area n Work with private landowners Cape Fear Arch Focus Area Sandhills Focus Area and other partners to establish The North Carolina Sandhills Focus and improve longleaf pine and its habitat types around these rivers such Wetland Area is approximately a million associated native understory species, acres, covering all or parts of eight as Carolina bays, maritime forests, and and control invasive and other longleaf pine are critically important to n Wood stork (E) counties in the south-central part of undesirable species using prescribed the State. It is best known for the rare and declining species, both plants n Rough-leaved loosestrife (E) fire, herbicides, and/or mechanical and animals. This area, like so many longleaf pine ecosystem and associated means. species diversity. It also contains the others along our coast, is under great Threats second largest concentration of the n Remnant longleaf pine stands and development pressure, creating an n Loss of wetland and upland habitat endangered red-cockaded woodpecker native grassland habitats will also be ever-increasing demand for supporting due to a variety of human-related in existence. In 1995, the Service and restored or improved by removing infrastructure, all of which replaces actions, including development and the U.S. Army collaborated to open a loblolly pine or by thinning fire habitat for important wildlife species. other land use changes new project office in the heart of the Several interested conservation suppressed forests, by reintroducing n Invasive species Sandhills with staff dedicated to reach prescribed fire, and by planting partners began collaborations in 2006 out to private landowners to encourage longleaf pine seedlings. to develop a community conservation Action Strategies them to restore, manage, and protect vision that provides protection and n Work with private landowners longleaf pine habitat on their property. n Pastures where non-native grasses stewardship of the important natural and other partners to restore Today, through the North Carolina have been planted will be restored resources and raises awareness of the and enhance priority uplands and Sandhills Safe Harbor initiative and the to native warm season grasses importance of conservation of these wetlands through the implementation PFW Program, the Service is working and native wildflowers to provide resources in the focus area. of best management practices and with more than 100 landowners on over habitat for migratory birds and other habitat restoration methods (e.g., 51,000 acres of land providing longleaf species. Priority Habitats restore hydrology and natural pine habitat that supports 56 groups Upland, Wetland vegetation in degraded wetlands of red-cockaded woodpeckers. A group and uplands, and invasive species Cape Fear Arch Five-Year Accomplishment Targets called The North Carolina Sandhills control). Conservation Partnership was formed Focus Area (FY 2012 – FY 2016) n in 2000 with the specific intent to The Cape Fear Arch Focus Area Upland: 500 acres encompasses one of the most facilitate collaboration between This PFW project included removal of loblolly pine, herbicide treatment of oak n Wetland: 10 acres various Federal, State, and nonprofit biologically diverse areas along the species (note that oaks are standing dead), planting of longleaf pines, and use of Atlantic Coast. In the southeast corner conservation groups for the purpose prescribed fire, D. Halley. Focus Species* of conserving the vanishing longleaf of North Carolina and the northeast Upland pine ecosystem and recovering the corner of South Carolina, it includes n Red-cockaded woodpecker (E) endangered red-cockaded woodpecker the watersheds of the Lower Cape Fear and the Waccamaw rivers. The rivers in the North Carolina Sandhills. n Bachman’s sparrow (SOC) themselves are important habitat for aquatic and estuarine species. Many

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of best management practices and Threats habitat restoration methods (e.g., n Erosion, sedimentation, and restore hydrology and natural contaminants issues resulting from vegetation in degraded wetlands and run-off from agricultural operations, uplands, and invasive species). urban expansion, other development activities, etc. Tar River Focus Area n Loss of riparian buffer zones The Tar River Focus Area encompasses three hydrologic units, Fishing Creek, n Fish passage barriers Lower Tar, and Upper Tar and has two distinct habitat focuses. One n Loss of wetland habitat due to a is the river, its tributaries, and the variety of human-related actions, associated riparian buffers; the other including development and other land is the palustrine wetlands throughout use changes the watershed. The Upper Tar River n Invasive species Basin is nationally recognized as one of the most important watersheds along Action Strategies the east coast. It harbors 14 federal n Work with private landowners and state rare and endangered species, and other partners to restore and including the federally endangered Tar enhance wetlands and improve River spiny mussel and dwarf wedge aquatic habitat by reducing or Tar River Focus Area mussel. A diverse affiliation, known as eliminating threats through the the Upper Tar River Collaboration, implementation of best management Onslow Bight Focus Area works together and with landowners to practices and habitat restoration Five-Year Accomplishment Targets protect, restore, and enhance riparian methods (e.g., protect and restore Onslow Bight (FY 2012 – FY2016) buffers and wetlands in the Upper Tar riparian zones, install fencing to n Upland: 700 acres River Basin. As the Tar River widens exclude livestock from streams, Focus Area into the Pamlico, the landscape includes provide alternate water sources The Onslow Bight Focus Area of n Wetland: 20 acres many drained palustrine wetlands for livestock, apply natural channel eastern North Carolina, bounded on providing opportunities to restore design techniques and other the North by Cape Lookout and to Focus Species* hydrology and native vegetation within instream habitat techniques, remove the South by Cape Fear, contains a Upland this basin to benefit many species of fish barriers, apply water-control unique landform of saltwater marshes, migratory birds including waterfowl structures when appropriate, restore riverine wetlands, pocosins, longleaf n Red-cockaded woodpecker (E) and breeding land birds. hydrology and natural vegetation pine savannahs, and other coastal in degraded wetlands, and invasive ecosystems. The Onslow Bight includes n Bachman’s sparrow (SOC) species control). several large protected areas including Priority Habitats n Wood Thrush (SOC) Camp Lejune, Hoffman State Forest, Riparian Corridor, Wetland , Cedar Island n Brown-headed Nuthatch (SOC) Five-year Accomplishment Targets Albemarle-Pamlico National Wildlife Refuge, and Holly (FY 2012 – FY 2016) Wetland Focus Area Shelter Gamelands, currently managed Riparian: 0.5 Mile Surrounded on three sides by the to support the natural communities coastal sounds of eastern North n Bald eagle (SOC) Wetland: 20 acres of those areas. The area supports Carolina, the Albemarle-Pamlico Focus nationally significant occurrences n Focus Species* Area is made up of Washington, Tyrrell, of animal and plant communities. Wood Duck (SOC) Riparian mainland Dare, mainland Hyde, and The threat of a rapid population n Northern Pintail (SOC) the northern half of Beaufort counties. growth was the impetus for eleven n Tar River spinymussel (E) Once an expansive wetland complex Threats conservation organizations to develop of pocosins, marshes, canebrakes, and n Loss of wetland and upland habitat n Dwarf wedge mussel (E) a memorandum of understanding for Albemarle-Pamlico Focus Area non-riverine hardwood swamps, the due to a variety of human-related the purpose of enhancing cooperation natural hydrology of the area has now actions, including development and Wetland and communication regarding regional been highly altered through ditching other land use changes conservation issues within the Onslow n Bald eagle (SOC) and draining of the natural wetlands. Bight Focus Area by establishing Sustainable populations of red wolves n Invasive species n Wood Duck (SOC) the North Carolina Onslow Bight and red-cockaded woodpeckers, Conservation Forum. Action Strategies n Prothonotary Warbler (SOC) nesting bald eagles, as well as high n Work with private landowners densities of black bear are notable. Priority Habitat and other partners to restore With an abundance of cropland, Upland, Wetland and enhance priority uplands and rivers, natural lakes, marshes, and the wetlands through the implementation 118 119 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

extensive sound waters, the peninsula n North Carolina Plant Conservation also attracts thousands of migratory Program waterfowl each winter. These include numerous species of ducks as well as a n North Carolina Soil and Water significant percentage of the Atlantic Conservation Districts populations of Canada geese, snow n North Carolina State Museum of geese, and tundra swans. In addition, Natural Sciences the non-riverine hardwood swamps and expansive pocosins support numerous n North Carolina Stream Restoration migratory land bird species and a host Institute of reptiles and amphibians. n North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Priority Habitat Wetlands n North Carolina Zoological Park Five-Year Accomplishment Targets n Project Bog Turtle (FY 2012 – FY 2016) Wetland: 150 acres n Public Schools Focus Species* While some PFW projects simply involve the landowner and the PFW biologist, n Quail Unlimited n Bald eagle (SOC) most include multiple stakeholders. This project, which accomplished habitat restoration benefiting migratory birds, included several family members, PFW n Resource, Conservation and n Wood Duck (SOC) biologists, the state game and fish agency, the state forest service, a consulting Development Councils throughout forester, and the local land trust, USFWS. North Carolina (10) n Red Wolf (SOC--Experimental Roanoke River Corridor Focus Area n Roanoke River Partners Population, Non-Essential) wildlife and a high diversity of species Threats n National Fish and Wildlife n The Conservation Fund n Northern Pintail (SOC) including one of the highest densities of n Development, urban expansion, loss Stakeholders Involved Foundation n Private Landowners (over 300) nesting land birds in the State, nesting of natural hydrology and vegetation n The Nature Conservancy, NC Threats n Natural Resources Conservation bald eagles, and wading bird rookeries. due to draining and ditching n Atlanta Botanical Garden Chapter n Development, urban expansion, loss Service of natural hydrology and vegetation Abundant wintering waterfowl include Action Strategies n Audubon Society n Toe River Valley Watch due to draining and ditching mallards, American black ducks, and n North Carolina Botanical Garden wood ducks. The bottomlands also n Work with private landowners n Cherokee Preservation Foundation n Trout Unlimited Action Strategies provide excellent nesting and brood- and other partners to restore n North Carolina Clean Water and enhance priority wetlands n Work with private landowners and rearing habitat for wood ducks. The n Davidson College Management Trust Fund n University of North Carolina System other partners to restore and enhance river itself supports several populations through the implementation of best priority wetlands through the of anadromous fish. Blueback herring, management practices and habitat n Ducks Unlimited n North Carolina Coastal Federation n U.S. Forest Service implementation of best management alewife, hickory shad, American shad, restoration methods (e.g., restore n Environmental Defense Fund n North Carolina Cooperative n U.S. Environmental Protection practices and habitat restoration and striped bass all rely on the river hydrology and natural vegetation in degraded wetlands, and invasive Extension Service Agency methods (e.g., restore hydrology system for spawning habitat. The n Farm Service Agency species). and natural vegetation in degraded endangered shortnose sturgeon has n North Carolina Department of n U.S. Geological Survey n Fish American Foundation wetlands, and invasive species). been documented within the basin * E – federally listed as endangered; Cultural Resources though its current status is not well n Watershed Association of the T – federally listed as threatened; n Friends of the Greenway known. n North Carolina Division of Forest Tuckasegee River Roanoke River Corridor C – candidate species for federal Resources n GEAR UP Priority Habitat listing; SOC – species of concern Focus Area designated by the state or other n North Carolina Division of Land References Wetlands n Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition Extending from Roanoke Rapids Resources North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan southeast to just beyond Plymouth, Five-Year Accomplishment Targets n Land Trusts and Land [Online]. North Carolina Wildlife the Roanoke River Corridor Focus n North Carolina Division of Water (FY 2012 – FY 2016) Conservancies in North Carolina (24) Resources Commission. http://www. Area covers portions of five counties. Wetland: 20 acres Quality wildlifeactionplans.org/north_carolina. The basin drains to the Roanoke River n Local Governments html [Accessed 9 June, 2011] as the river flows unimpeded for 137 Focus Species* n North Carolina Division of Water n Resources miles from the dam of Roanoke Rapids n Bald eagle (SOC) Little Tennessee Watershed Hefner, J.M., B.O. Wilen, T.E. Dahl, and Association Lake to the Albemarle Sound. With n North Carolina Ecosystem W.E. Frayer. 1994. Southeast Wetlands: a floodplain of up to five miles wide in n Wood Duck (SOC) n Mecklenburg County Parks and Enhancement Program Status and Trends, Mid-1970’s to Mid- places, this area is the most expansive n Swainson’s warbler (SOC) Recreation Department 1980’s. U.S. Department of the Interior, bottomland hardwood forest east of In North Carolina’s hardwood forest, n North Carolina Natural Heritage Kentucky warblers are a priority Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. the Mississippi and includes expansive n Kentucky warbler (SOC) n National Committee for the New Program migratory bird species and a focal cypress/tupelo swamps. Habitat here River supports abundant populations of n Cerulean warbler (SOC) species of the Roanoke River Corridor, n North Carolina Parks and Recreation credit C. Moorman. Department 120 121