Hoke Community Forest | NC RISING Reporter's Notes

While this is the first project of its kind in North Carolina, community forestry as been used successfully in the past in developing countries to engage local residents in planning, management and stewardship activities on public forestlands and natural areas. These collaborative efforts have helped improve forest management, reduce environmental stewardship costs and generate economic benefits for communities.

The Conservation Fund believes an integrated approach to environmental protection and economic development will help alleviate some of the issues Hoke County is facing.

In addition to protecting forestland in the area, the community forest and associated projects will:

· Reduce Military Base Encroachment: Located only one mile from Fort Bragg, the Hoke Community Forest will ensure this area remains undeveloped.

· Endangered Species Restoration: Restoring the longleaf pine system to the site will expand the red-cockaded woodpecker habitat in the area.

· Recreation Opportunities: Trails for walking, bike riding and horseback riding. Camp sites, fishing and canoe access points and environmental education stations.

· Sustainable Rural Economic Development: A long-term management plan will include sustainable timber harvesting, pine straw raking, meat goat production, bee propagation and eco-tourism opportunities, providing much needed revenue streams to the county.

· Water Quality Protection: A forested parcel will greatly reduce the amount of polluted storm water that reaches Rockfish Creek, which runs through the site.

· Promotion of Alternative Energy Sources: Two abandoned landfill sites located near the community forest may provide the possibility of tapping the landfills’ methane as an alternative energy source.

· Conservation-Based Affordable Housing: The Conservation Fund is working with its partners to develop an affordable housing project on adjoining southern parcels of the property. This will provide much needed affordable housing for residents and military personnel as well as ensure that larger forested areas are protected and remain contiguous.

Learn more about the Conservation Fund and Hoke Community Forest.

-Christine Rogers, Producer