News-Record.com

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission released this week its "green growth toolbox" to be used by communities to preserve natural habitats.

From a press release:

The Green Growth Toolbox contains information on the state’s most important habitats, as well as community-planning methods and site-design techniques that can help conserve North Carolina’s priority species.

“Our goal is not to inhibit development,” said Jacquelyn Wallace, a biologist with the commission. “We want to show how we can build new homes, businesses and shopping centers while conserving habitats. We have put together a menu of conservation strategies that counties and towns can pick and choose from, and we can help communities choose the best options.”

Open-space advocates are marching ahead with plans to extend the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through the city's watershed region to Haw River State Park, where a campground for hikers might be in the cards, according to a recent story by fellow reporter Taft Wireback.

Supporters plan to request from Guilford County Board of Commissioners in December $2.6 million in open-space bonds to buy 250 acres key to the proposal.