Environmental Groups Win Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Awards

Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC), Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA) and Pamlico-Tar River Foundation (PTRF) have received $10,000 each as part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation Community TIEs Awards Program. This year's awards were presented in partnership with the North Carolina Conservation Network. Community TIEs awards are given annually to nonprofit organizations that are excelling in their service to the community and recognize excellence in the use of Technology, Innovation and Evaluation.  

Receiving the technology award, TLC has created a comprehensive and user-friendly mapping system for Chatham County that allows individuals to learn more about the area's natural resources and the environmental changes affecting them. The tool is available on the county's mapping Web site (www.chathamgis.com).

WNCA received the Innovation Award for instituting a unique and successful exotic invasive plant control project, which involves cataloguing and removing pest plants in the mountains of North Carolina. WNCA inventories exotic invasive species using handheld GPS units and maps the data, which helps determine where to focus efforts and the appropriate control methods. 

PTRF was recognized with the Evaluation award for the diversity-focused component of their Inclusive Watershed Protection initiative. This project sought to assess the conservation and environmental values, needs and perceptions of diverse populations living in rural areas. The results are helping to identify critical next steps and were instrumental in PTRF launching a minority membership drive, as well as developing culturally sensitive materials and programs.