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Kelly – Evaluating TNC’s conservation efforts at the Bluff Mountain Preserve

 

Evaluating TNC’s conservation efforts at the Bluff Mountain Preserve (2023)

Undergraduate: Caroline Kelly


Faculty Advisor: Megan Lane
Department: UNC Institute for the Environment

Research Question: How can community outreach be used as a mechanism for strategically increasing environmental conservation efforts in Western N.C., specifically, The Nature Conservancy’s Bluff Mountain Preserve?

Over the course of this past summer, I had the opportunity to research the status of Bluff Mountain Preserve to gain a better sense of community feedback, from those directly involved with preservation work through The Nature Conservancy and those outside the organization. According to my mentor for the research project, Sydney Bezanson, there appears to be varying levels of distrust with the people of Ashe County, North Carolina, and surrounding communities regarding the Bluff Mountain Preserve and its purpose.

TNC has a lack of qualitative data from this region within this specific sector and was in need of a researcher to fill in the gaps for future project development. Over the course of 180 hours of research, I compiled analysis from respondents to interview on initial opinions on the reserve, changes they would like to have implemented, and suggested next steps for TNC.

Link to Abstract Link to Poster