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

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is dedicated to a sustainable conservation effort that provides safe, comprehensive, effective and efficient fisheries, wildlife and boating programs that conserve the diversity and abundance of the State’s wildlife resources. Such a complex state-wide focus requires a team effort and strong leadership. With both of those valuable assets in place, the future of our State’s wildlife is sound and secure.

2011 RECOVERY

CHAMPION AWARD - USFWS

Wildlife Diversity Biologist Christine Kelly was awarded a 2011 Recovery Champion Award by the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service, a prestigious award given to nine individuals across the country. It honors U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partners for outstanding efforts to conserve and protect threat­ened species of fsh, wildlife and plants. Kelly was honored for her work with the Carolina Northern fying squirrel, an endangered species found isolated in small populations in only the highest mountains in North Carolina.

Kelly’s work included designing launch poles to help the squirrels cross Cherohala Skyway in Western North Carolina.

recognized leadership in conservation

The crossing structures, installed by Duke Energy in 2008, give the small mammals access to more foraging habitat, den sites and mates. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service award also honored Kelly for a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Appalachian Mountain Joint Ventures to plant red spruce, an important habitat for the squirrel. The balsam woolly adelgid has reduced Fraser fr trees and the hemlock woolly adelgid is reducing high elevation Eastern hemlocks, both important conifers for the squirrel.

FEDERAL HIGHWAY’S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN ECOSYSTEMS, HABITAT AND WILDLIFE

In 2011, the North Carolina Wetland Assessment Method Team received the Federal Highway Administration’s Award of Excellence in Ecosystems, Habitat and Wildlife. The Team included staff from 10 government departments including NCWRC’s David Cox, Habitat Conservation’s Technical Guidance supervisor. Since 2003, Federal and State agencies worked toward the goal of developing a method to identify

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On every page in this report we point out the value of conservation. But there are many things

we focus on that are impossible to monetize. One of the greatest benefts to our work, one that doubles and triples the value of our work every single day is partnerships.

Whether partnering by mucking together through sandy creek beds in boots and coveralls looking for a tiny fsh, or meeting in a board room to discuss precious shared resources, or participating in conversations seeking answers to mutual challenges, our partnerships are priceless. Together, we accomplish more.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission was created more than 60 years ago, born into part-nerships with other state agencies and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Partners now number in the hundreds. They continue to be one of our most valuable assets.