North Carolina Sandhills Conservation Partnership

The mission of the NCSCP is to coordinate the development and implementation of conservation strategies for the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), other native biota, longleaf pine and other ecosystems in the Sandhills of North Carolina.

North Carolina Sandhills Conservation Partnership

The North Carolina Sandhills Conservation Partnership (NCSCP) was created in April 2000 with a mission to protect this unique environment. Guided by a comprehensive conservation plan, NCSCP partners share information and work together to implement strategies to achieve mutual goals that will benefit both the natural resources and the people of the region.

Even though each participating organization has a different set of objectives, members understand that working together is the best solution to protect the Sandhills environment. Much has been gained through the formation of this partnership. For example, biologists have a regional database to catalog this unique environment; partners can protect important conservation lands through purchases and conservation easements; and the people of the region benefit by having a partnership that unites these groups through common goals.

NCSCP Steering Committee Partners, Working Groups, and Stakeholders

The North Carolina Sandhills Conservation Partnership is run by a steering committee of partners that serve as the voting members for decisions made.

The mission of the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg is to ensure the Army's current and future realistic training requirements are met in harmony with our environment and natural resources through the perpetuation of all natural communities that occur on Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall, with special emphasis on those communitieies that are composed of longleaf pine and wiregrass. Management programs are implemented for recovery and sustainment of threatened or endangered species and other species associated with each natural community.

The mission of the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources is to develop, protect, and manage the multiple resources of North Carolina's forests through professional stewardship, enhancing the quality of life for our citizens while ensuring the continuity of these vital resources.

The mission of the North Carolina Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation provides the science and incentives to inform and support conservation actions of North Carolina's conservation agencies and organizations.

The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation exists for the enjoyment, education, health and inspiration of all our citizens and visitors. The mission of the state parks system is to conserve and protect representative examples of the natural beauty, ecological features and recreational resources of statewide significance; to provide outdoor recreational opportunities in a safe and healthy environment; and to provide environmental education opportunities that promote stewardship of the state's natural heritage.

The mission of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commision is to manage, restore, develop, cultivate, conserve, protect and regulate North Carolina's wildlife resources.

The mission of the Nature Conservancy's North Carolina Chapter is to preserve the plants, animals, and plant communities that represent the diversity of the Sandhills of North Carolina by protecting the land and water they need to survive.

The mission of the Sandhills Area Land Trust is to protect natural areas and farmlands of the Sandhills region.

The mission of the Sandhills Ecological Institute is to conduct research and monitoring studies for scientific and compliance purposes. Specifically, SEI's three primary goals are: to conduct research involving investigations of the longleaf pine and related ecosystems in North Carolina and South Carolina; to engage in and promote scientific study and education regarding the longleaf pine and related ecosystems; and to engage in scientific studies and education regarding the red-cockaded woodpecker and its habitats.

The mission of the U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC) is to serve as the field-operating agency to integrate, oversee, and coordinate the implementation of the Army's Environmental Program under the direction of the Director of Environmental Programs at Headquarters, Department of Army (HQDA). The USAEC provides technical services and products to HQDA, major subordinate commands, and installation commanders. The Army relies on the expertise of the Conservation Branch to support and achieve conservation goals. Conservation programs promote readiness, enhance training and the quality of life, and support the Army's commitment to remain strong stewards of the environment.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is, working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Central to this mission, the Fish and Wildlife Service, along with state natural resource agencies, private lands partners, and other stakeholders, is dedicated to providing and protecting a healthy environment for fish and wildlife and people. In the North Carolina Sandhills, the Service's priority is to implement the principles of ecosystem management to promote the recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker, other endangered, threatened and federal species of concern endemic to the longleaf pine ecosystem.

The NCSCP consists of several working groups: Communication Working Group, Land Protection Working Group, RCW Recovery Working Group, Reserve Design Working Group, and the Resource Management Working Group.

Although they cannot vote, the role of stakeholder is still very integral to NCSCP's success. Because they have an interest in NCSCP's dealings, stakeholders attend meetings and participate in the working groups that handle the general activities of the partnership. NCSCP's stakeholders include BRAC Regional Task Force, N.C. Department of Agriculture, N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Department of Transportation, Fort Bragg/Pope AFB Regional Land Use Advisory Commission, Sustainable Sandhills and representatives of North Carolina landowners, consulting foresters, pine needle harvesters, and the real estate industry.