GoalsConnectingPeople


 * Benefit Description for Connecting People with Nature**

Opportunities to connect with nature are a key aspect of our region’s ability to attract new businesses and jobs. Outdoor exercise, fresh air, and contemplation support our health and vibrancy, provide relief from modern stresses, and remind us of our place in the natural world. Playing in nature is an important part of our children’s development and health. As more and more of our time is programmed and plugged in, we are losing the connections with nature that can sustain a vibrant, healthy lifestyle.

TLC envisions a Triangle Region in which … … every citizen has convenient opportunities to experience and learn from nature … and environmental conservation supports economic vitality, healthy lifestyles, and widespread understanding of the responsibility we all have as wise stewards of our natural resources.


 * Potential Goals**

There is an environmental education center and educational farm, with a strong focus on children, in every Triangle county by Year Y. <> <>

By Year Y, every person in the Triangle is within an x-minute [ walk / drive / bike / bus trip ] of a publicly accessible [ educational farm / environmental education center / greenway / nature preserve / paddle trail ]. <> <>

In 20 years, the Deep, Haw, and Neuse Rivers have established paddle trails with facilities for access and camping <> <>

By year....scenic viewshed conservation easements protect 25% of the road views from the five scenic byways in our area. <>

By year...., there is a Nature Preserve or natural park within a 15 minute bus ride or walk from every school in the Triangle region. (If we are trying to trim down to 2-3 goals, this one should be combined in goal 2 BH) <> <>


 * List of items of interest**
 * Education
 * Recreation
 * Public access
 * Research
 * Awareness
 * Proximity / location / access / distance from people
 * Healthy lifestyles
 * Children
 * Build good stewards – ie, the next generation
 * Diverse opportunities and experiences
 * Scenic viewsheds
 * Paddle trails on Neuse and Haw
 * Natural areas
 * Farms / community gardens
 * Greenways / canoe launch
 * Learning farms, environmental education centers
 * Increasing membership
 * Opportunity (proximity, cost) for all people to connect (in what ways?) with nature
 * Leverage concept – changing attitudes about conservation through this connection – promoting more action by people benefiting from / influence by our activities