PROJECT HISTORY

Cary Open Space and Historic Resources Plan (Wake County, North Carolina):ESC developed a Technical Report in five phases to assist the Town of Cary in identifying more than 8,000 acres of potential open space.  ESC professionals provided the Town with an interactive GIS database that allowed Town staff to prioritize the potential open space areas as they fit the Town's needs.  A photographic database tied to GPS positions allowed the Town to rank areas based on prioritized values, then view a geo-referenced photograph to determine whether the resources that occur in the mapping database still exist on-site.  Town planners also worked with ESC to generate an inter-connected open space network that will serve as a Agreenprint@ used in prioritizing acquisition activities and development restrictions.  This project won the 2002 North Carolina chapter of the American Planning Association Outstanding Planning Award.

Town of Fuquay-Varina Open Space Plan (Wake County, North Carolina):ESC used an objective database analysis (similar to the techniques employed in the Cary plan) of lands within Fuquay-Varina planning jurisdictional limits to develop an open space plan for the town.  Attribute data in a GIS format served as the basis for the analysis resulting in a map showing priority resources.  Linkages were formed between these resources, existing greenway trails, and principal streams and tributaries.  The open space plan included this objective analysis as the core basis for the plan, coupled with strategies for successful implementation. 

Wake County Open Space Plan.ESC worked as part of a planning team to develop the initial phases of an open space plan for the county.  Our firm evaluated priority resource mapping prepared for the project, and provided a rapid, in field site assessment in priority sub-basins.  The resource mapping and associated information served as the technical basis for plan development.

Park Planning, Statewide:ESC has been instrumental in providing environmental information for park planners to assist in site planning and park design.  Projects have included: the Wake Forest Soccer Site, the CP&L Soccer Site, the Capital Area Soccer Site, the Wendell soccer site, and the Lake Benson Recreation Area in Wake County; the Buck Spring 4-H Center in Warren County; the Regional 4-H Center in Tyrrell County; the Louisburg City Park in Franklin County; and the Booker Creek Greenway in Orange County.

N.C. Global TransPark, Conservation Plan (Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina):ESC has been involved with developing the ecological master plan as well as mitigation proposals for the 15,300-acre proposed N.C. Global TransPark (NCGTP).  Our work has included evaluation of all existing environmental features and developing a variety of plans to utilize natural resources in a conservation approach.  A wildlife hazards plan was developed to manage wildlife around the developing airport.  A storm water master plan has been prepared to integrate storm water wetlands into the landscape in order to capture runoff before entering the nutrient sensitive Neuse River system.  A 1500-acre on-site mitigation strategy has been developed as part of a large 4600-acre mitigation plan for the project.  On site degraded wetlands are being enhanced and interconnected with riverine stream systems through a series of wildlife corridors.  The corridors and degraded wetlands are being planted with indigenous species to enhance function and wildlife value. The plan includes an educational component involving a series of boardwalks and trails, roadside pull-offs with interpretative signage, wildlife management programs, and development of brochures and other materials describing ecosystem enhancement activities.  The overall result is a conservation plan for NCGTP that will result in regional ecological benefits.

SUMMARY

EcoScience Corporation biologists and ecologists can assist with identification, preservation, and even enhancement or restoration of preservation areas using accepted ecological approaches.  When open space or greenway preservation planning is your goal, call the professionals at EcoScience Corporation.