INC NEWS - Hike at Black Meadow Ridge, Nov 8

[Pat Carstensen]

INC has been discussing this area, which is south of West Point on the Eno.  Here's an opportunity to get out to see it (or an excuse to get out on a fun hike).  Please cascade into your neighborhood list-serves.  Thanks, pat

What:   Hike Black Meadow Ridge

When:   1PM Saturday, Nov 08, 2008

Where:   West Point Park on the Eno, 5101 N. Roxboro Road

Duration: two and a half hours

Hike Leader:   Marcia Eickmeier

Terrain:   Mostly level, sewer lines and woods, creek crossings (boots advisable and walking sticks for those who use them)



Directions:

Meet in the upper parking lot at West Point Park on the Eno, 5101 North Roxboro Road, site of the July 4th Festival for the Eno



Contact Information:

Phone:   Marcia Eickmeier (919) 644-1806

Email:   Josie McNeil    riojosie at aol.com



Details:



The Durham Sierra Club is hosting a hike around Black Meadow Ridge, the
60 acre tract immediately adjoining the southern boarder of West Point
on the Eno Park. Many in the Durham community and surrounding area are
working to save this tract from development. A very special piece of
land, this 60 acres has recently been described by Dr. Stephen Hall -
Zoologist, N.C. Natural Heritage Program and Coauthor of the Durham
County Inventory of Important Natural Areas, Plants, and Wildlife:



"Undeveloped uplands are quite rare within the Durham City limits and
this particular tract is still likely to support viable populations of
upland species, both due to its size -- 60 acres -- and to its
connection to larger areas of upland habitats upstream via the unbroken
movement corridor contained within the West Point City Park and the Eno
River State Park. In the past, the Black Meadow Ridge has supported a
nesting pair of broad-winged hawks (Buteo platypterus), which we
consider to be rare within the eastern Piedmont. Other regionally rare
species of upland animals may also occur there, including red-backed
salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), which have been recorded at the Guess
Road crossing of the Eno.



In addition to protecting the species that reside within the Black
Meadow Ridge itself, this tract serves several buffer functions that
are important for maintaining ecological integrity within the area
already protected as part of the West Point on the Eno City Park. These
include buffers against the penetration of noise, lights, domestic
animals, and other types of disturbances associated with developed
areas. Particularly along the two tributary streams that bound the
eastern and western sides of this tract, the undeveloped lands that
currently exist at Black Meadow Ridge also help protect water quality
downstream within the Nationally Significant Eno River Aquatic Habitat.
If this tract were to become developed, all of these buffers would be
either reduced or eliminated, significantly adding to the cumulative
total of impacts that the Eno is already facing. Consequently, a high
priority should be given to bringing all substantial tracts of
undeveloped lands along the parks' boundaries into some form of
conservation protection."



The hike will also explore possible paths for the North South Greenway
to connect into West Point Park. We will hike two sewer lines, one that
is in floodplane, so foot gear that is good in water is recommended.
Mostly level with a couple of creeks to cross (walking sticks
recommended for those who like them)  approximately 2.5 miles round
trip.



Contact Information:

Phone:   Marcia Eickmeier (919) 644-1806

Email:   Josie McNeil    riojosie at aol.com
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