Here are the Q & A pertaining to the most common questions that we are asked.

​

What are we doing about the deer?  In 2022, the NRSC formed a Deer Task Force to evaluate the deer situation and seek expert guidance.  NCWRC Wildlife biologist Justin McVey made a presentation to the community where he discussed white tail deer habituation, habits, and habitat.  The committee is developing a long term Deer Management Program (DMP), which is in conjunction with efforts to minimize habituation of all wildlife within Connestee.  The program begins with discouraging residents from intentionally feeding wildlife, which causes habituation (unnatural loss of fear) of wild animals to human activities.

 

What are we doing about water quality?  The original Water Quality Task Force compiled the limited data that had been collected from previous lake and stream testing.  They decided that more complete data was needed to adequately monitor and protect our aquatic resources and conducted baseline testing in the summer of 2023.  A new Lake Management Subcommittee (LMSC) has been established with representatives from the Fishing Club, NRSC and community at large.  The committee will continue to work with professionals to conduct a lake study, and develop a long term Lake Management Plan for CF lakes and streams. 

 

What are we doing about Invasive Plant Species (IP)?  An Invasive Plant Task Force has been created and is working on developing an invasive plant data base, which includes information about invasive plants that are currently within CF and where they are located.  Working with the NC Forest Service and NC Extension, strategies for mitigating invasive species will be identified and promoted throughout the community.  In August 2023, a group of 16 volunteers took on the task of mitigating Japanese stilt grass along several of the trails and adjacent roadways in CF.  In September of 2024, the Trail Builders and Stewards conducted mitigation on the trails and trail heads. 

 

Is there a plan to do a prescribed burn in Connestee?  No–there is no plan for a prescribed burn. The Board has contracted with EcoForesters to complete a forest study and develop a long term Forest Management Plan for the CFPOA natural areas.  The goal of the plan will be to improve forest health and natural habitat while reducing the risk of wild fire.  EcoForesters provided the the NRSC with a presentation that discussed their preliminary findings about CF forest health and the various options to achieve our goals.