Natural Connections Workshop

Exploring outdoor play, innovative partnerships, and ecological impacts within and across nature preserve boundaries

This workshop is planned for park staff, land managers, and others trying to meet the challenge of multiple missions.  Content will focus on nature-based recreation, managing for natural conditions and ecological connectivity, and a sampling of local partnerships.

White Deer Park Nature Center
2400 Aversboro Road, Garner

Friday, September 27, 2019
9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Check-in starts at 8:30 am

Register for the Workshop

Agenda

9:00 am            Welcome and introductions

9:10 am            Environmental Education perspective kick-off – Marty Wiggins, Environmental Education Program Consultant, NC Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Environmental Education & Public Affairs

9:25 am            Outdoor/natural play – Robin Moore, Director of the Natural Learning Initiative

10:05 am          Break

10:20 am          Greenways, trails, and looking across park boundaries – George Hess, NCSU

11:00 am          Partnerships

Panel discussion:

Ben Wittenberg – Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Park Manager, Blue Jay Point & Green Hills County Parks

       Christina Sorensen Hester – Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space
       Park Manager, Harris Lake County Park/American Tobacco Trail

Pat and Herb Amyx – Volunteers
Liaison with NC Wildlife Federation, Neuse River Hawks Chapter & Forest Ridge Park
Long-standing partnership with the State Plant Conservation Program
New partnership with Natural Heritage Program
Volunteer for Wake County Open Space

Amin Davis – Division of Water Resources, NC DEQ
State & Local Projects Manager, Water Resources Development Grant

Leigh Ann Hammerbacher – Triangle Land Conservancy
Senior Associate Director of Conservation

11:40 am          Morning wrap-up

12:00 pm          Lunch (on your own –brown bag lunch recommended)

1:00 pm            Managing people while managing for natural conditions

Panel discussion:

Jeff Horton – NC Department of Environmental Quality
Western Property Specialist

Deborah Fowler – Wake County County Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Open Space Manager

Jason Kiser – City of Raleigh
Assistant Park Manager, Durant and Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserves

1:40 pm            Meeting wrap-up

2:00 pm            Tour of White Deer Park playground with Robin Moore

3:30 pm            Adjourn

Agenda is subject to change. 

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