The Natural Resources Section is responsible for the protection, monitoring, and management of natural resources in Mecklenburg County natural areas including those in parks, greenways, nature preserves, land-banked open space, and natural heritage sites. Total acreage of these unique land assets currently stands at about 17,000 acres with about 6,500 acres protected as nature preserve. The Division contributes to regional environmental leadership and research by providing biological resource consultation throughout our 14-county region.
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The Division strives to achieve the goals specified in the adopted Mecklenburg Community Vision 2015 by "protecting our natural resources" and identifying and actively working to protect "environmentally sensitive areas". The primary focus of the Division is to preserve biotic (living) natural resources, including all native plant and animal species and natural community types that comprise Mecklenburg County's unique natural heritage.
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Natural areas managed by the Division also protect the County's overall environmental health and its abiotic (non-living) natural resources, such as air, water and soil. Ongoing natural resource management is essential due to the multitude of external influences that disrupt ecological processes within natural areas. Without active management, the integrity of these special areas is diminished and, over time, the biological resources present may be lost. For more information, contact Christopher Matthews, Natural Resources Manager, at 704-432-4531.
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Program Highlights
Flora and fauna data collection
Native habitat restoration
Rare, threatened and endangered
species management
Consulting, research partnerships,
regional bio-planning and data sharing
Technical assistance provided to public
and private agencies and individuals.
County property assets management
Invasive-exotic species control
White-tail deer management program
Prescribed burn management
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