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By applying best practices to protect and enhance good water and air quality on managed lands, prevent soil erosion, and protect and preserve forested land and wetlands, habitat is protected, the economy is unencumbered, people live in a healthier climate and North Carolina remains one of the most beautiful states in the nation.

• Landowners who want to protect wildlife species or N.C. Wildlife Action Plan priority wildlife habitats on their properties can apply for a reduced property tax assessment through the Wildlife Con-servation Land Program. To date, more than 2,400 acres have been enrolled in the program, with more acreage added every year.

• Longleaf pine forests are one priority wildlife habitat eligible for the Wild­life Conservation Land Program. A few of the species that depend on this type of habitat are bobwhite quail, a variety of songbirds and fox squirrels.

• Small wetland communities, another type of priority wildlife habitat, also qualify for the Program.

State Wildlife Grants enable NCWRC staff to conduct surveys to determine the status of the Northern pine snake, Southern hognose snake and many other species on Commission gamelands, private lands and other public lands.

Here are a few of our ongoing activities:

ACQUISITION OF WILDLIFE HABITATS

In keeping with the agency’s mission to conserve North Caro-lina’s wildlife resources and their habitats, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission now owns or manages over 2

CONSERVATION IS ASSURED BY Lands Management & Conservation

million acres of land that includes working forests, wetlands, stream banks and other habitats.

Thanks largely to North Carolina’s Clean Water Man-agement and Natural Heritage Trust Funds, and the assistance of numerous other federal and private conservation partners, these acquisitions will protect important wildlife habitats in perpetuity, as well as provide our State’s sportsmen and sportswomen with public opportunities for hunting, fshing, trapping, and other wildlife-related activities.

Technical Guidance to Landowners

Wildlife Resources Commission biologists work with private landowners to apply appropriate wildlife management strategies on their properties and to implement practices that improve habitat conditions on their lands. Prescribed burning and planting of native warm season grasses are greatly enhanced by the direct assistance provided through the technical guidance program. Wildlife biologists also provide advice and guidance toward addressing human/wildlife conficts in multiple scenarios and settings across the state.

Staff biologists provide professional expertise and direction to local, state and federal agencies regarding wildlife management and best conservation practices for lands they control. On Corp­ orate Upland Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Program (CURE) properties managed by NCWRC biologists, breeding bobwhite quail have increased by approximately 50% since

8 • North Carol ina Wi ldl i fe Resources Commi ss ion