For Local Governments

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APNEP and our partners provide many tools to assist local governments. Our Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) includes actions that aim to assist local governments, including educating policy and decision makers on the value of the ecosystem services of the region, developing incentives for protecting natural shorelines, policies that support Low Impact Development practices, assistance with stormwater retrofits and wastewater infrastructure upgrades and repairs, and assistance incorporating coastal resilience, climate change, and sea level rise into local planning.

We do not currently have a dedicated municipal grant program, but routinely fund restoration and community engagement initiatives in the Albemarle-Pamlico region, including projects by county and municipal governments, through our Action Teams.

Economic Valuation of the Albemarle-Pamlico Region

To assist APNEP in efforts to measure and communicate the societal contributions made made by the Albemarle-Pamlico region's natural resources, APNEP contracted with RTI International to conduct an economic valuation of the natural resources of the watershed.

Climate Resiliency and Adaptation Initiatives

The Albemarle-Pamlico region has been identified by scientists as one of our country's most vulnerable areas to climate change and associated sea level rise. APNEP, in conjunction with its partner organizations, aims to work closely with coastal communities as they face the difficult challenges of adapting to long-term climate pressures. In addition to supporting research and the development of tools to help resource managers make informed decisions, APNEP dedicates resources and support towards connecting communities to the best available science as they develop adaptation planning strategies.

Environmental Planning Resources

APNEP maintains a list of environmental planning tools and resources that may be of use to local governments, planners, and decision makers.

North Carolina Conservation Planning Tool

The NC Natural Heritage Program's Conservation Planning Tool provides a valuable means for synthesizing and sharing the priorities of the state's conservation agencies and organizations with planners in government and the private sector to inform decisions and guide conservation efforts statewide.

North Carolina Green Growth Toolbox

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission's Green Growth Toolbox is a technical assistance tool for communities, local governments, planners, planning boards and developers. The Green Growth Toolbox provides mapping data, recommendations and case studies for conservation of priority wildlife habitats that can be used in local land use planning, policy-making and development design.