Item:
Title
Approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC001 to Recognize $20,000 in Grant Revenue from the Burt's Bees Foundation to Support an Inventory of Natural Areas in East and North Durham County.
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: July 28, 2025
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board of County Commissioners is requested to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC001 recognizing $20,000 in grant revenue from the Burt's Bees Foundation. The grant funding will be used to support a natural area inventory in East and North Durham County.
NC's Natural Heritage Program has identified natural areas in Durham County that are important for biodiversity. Many are in east and north Durham County where there have been significant recent land use changes. This project will document, map, and update State-designated natural areas to support environmental and conservation planning. Natural areas are sites recommended for conservation due to the presence of rare species, unique natural communities, important animal groups, or other ecological features of special significance for biodiversity.
Burt's Bees' corporate headquarters is located in downtown Durham. This is the fifth award Durham County has received from the Burt's Bees Foundation to support Open Space work. This project will commence in August and will be completed by October 2026. Durham County, through Open Space and Real Estate Division funds, has contributed $25,000 for a total project cost of $45,000.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This grant and natural area inventory aligns with Strategic Plan Focus Area: Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, Objective SI 3: Preserve and restore the natural and built environment, and SI 3d: Protect and restore natural resources, land, recreational, historical, and rural spaces.
Resource Persons: Celeste Burns, Open Space and Real Estate Division Manager, David Bradley, Open Space Coordinator, Peri Manns, Deputy Director - Engineering and Environmenta...
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