Open Space Conservation Committee

The Open Space Conservation Committee is a three-member advisory committee to the Board of Commissioners tasked with the following goals and objectives:

• Establish and implement a ranking system to set priorities when evaluating properties for conservation based on water resources, wildlife habitat, and scenic resources;
• Categorize open space lands into high, medium and low level areas of protection;
• Coordinate the development of maps depicting the location, organizational category and resource value determination of all open space lands;
• Develop and maintain data sources for recreational areas, historic places, trails, structures or landmarks, natural and geological features, significant view shed areas, ridgelines, core wildlife habitat or corridors, and threatened plant and animal species;
• Create and maintain a list of Montreat-specific birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates and plants to facilitate assessment of biological diversity and identify potential locations of rare, threatened, or endangered species;
• Develop and implement an action plan for open space conservation, including public education and property owner outreach efforts, neighborhood initiatives, and encouragement of private conservation efforts;
• Utilize the Open Space Conservation Fund to facilitate open space acquisition in accordance with established principles and practices;
• Establish and implement a standardized application and review process for each parcel considered for acceptance into the Open Space Conservation Program;
• Create and maintain recommended management plans for Town-owned open space lands and appoint a Stewardship Coordinator to ensure that the principles of these plans are being achieved;
• Continually research and investigate alternative funding sources to supplement the Open Space Conservation Fund; and
• Conduct regular review of the Town of Montreat Open Space Conservation Plan at no less than five-year intervals, and recommend updates as may be necessary.