Lake James Watershed Symposium

1001 Burkemont Avenue,Morganton NC 28655

02 November, 2022

Description

Lake James Watershed SymposiumA Year of Progress and New Opportunities Networking to Protect and Improve Morning Sessions: Progress and New Opportunities Overview of Progress/Collaboration in Watershed - Sophie McCarthy (LJEA)Trends in Water Quality - Ann Marie Traylor (Environmental Quality Institute) Catawba Run – Restoration & Sustainability – Laura Lengnick, PhD (Founder and Principal Cultivating Resilience, LLC)Wetlands Assessments and Research - Josh Holbrook (Montreat College)Invasive Plant Management in Lake James – Duke Energy Examining White Creek – WPCC Faculty & StudentsDisconnecting Impervious Surfaces and Fixing Gullies: Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance (Blue Earth Planning, Engineering & Design and Wildlands Engineering) Lunch: Poster session open with student presenters Afternoon Sessions: Planning for Tomorrow Northern Catawba Basin Plan -Grant Buckner (CRF)Overview of Development Regulations in the Lake James Watershed – Presentation and Panel Discussion with Burke and McDowell County RepresentativesBreakout Sessions (choose 1 Breakout Session to attend) Smart Development: Protecting our Environment and Growing our Economy- This session will include a presentation and discussion of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission's Green Growth Toolbox and information about the development practices and regulations in the Lake James watershed. Participants will learn how they can help protect the watershed at multiple scales from their yard, to their community, to watershed and state-wide efforts. Expanding and Improving LJEA’s Education Program- LJEA volunteers provide science and conservation education programs that currently reach over 750 students annually. In this session you will learn about those programs and about LJEA's plans to improve and expand the program in the coming years. Public Recreation in the Lake James Watershed- Join FCNC Trails Program Staff for a discussion of the public recreation assets within the Lake James watershed. What currently exists, what’s missing, and how we can support and sustain them for future generations. Paddys Creek Conservation, Agricultural Restoration Project, and Historic/Recreation Assets- FCNC Conservation Program Staff will speak about their work conserving more than 11,000-acres in the Lake James watershed and their efforts to expand public lands in the area. FCNC will also talk about their planned agricultural restoration project to transform a 35-acre tract along Paddys Creek into an educational and demonstration working farmTurning Data into Action- Diverse groups including nonprofits, academics, utilities, industry, USGS, and DEQ, are generating data in the Lake James watershed. However, there is limited coordination in site selection, SOPs, data storage, and publication. This session will focus on understanding the data already available and identifying new collaborative applications including research, conservation, permitting, advocacy, and public messaging Working on Restoration in the Lake James Watershed- The discussions will revolve around potential restoration opportunities in the Lake James Watershed. Topics will include: funding opportunities, partnerships, identification of new projects, and updates on current projects. Additionally, time will be given for feedback on the Northern Catawba Basin Protection and Restoration plan.Please join us after the Symposium for Happy Hour at Catawba Brewery in Morganton! Find the full agenda here