Hofmann Forest - 79,000-acre herp habitat at risk?

Cowboy_Ken

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Unfortunately I haven't had time to look through his materials, so I can't really endorse his appeal in anyway.

But from what I did see and what he says below it sounds like you should and then decide if want to and can help. Sign the petition and share it.

Hofmann is a 79,000-acre public forest in eastern North Carolina, that is being sold by its longtime owner (NC State University) to a corn farmer from Illinois. The leaked prospectus from the buyer revealed his plans to bulldoze 45,000 acres of Hofmann to grow crops, and to convert another 9000 acres into urban development.

From a wildlife/herp perspective this would be disastrous. Not only would we lose 54,000+ acres of coastal habitat outright, but also key habitat connections with Croatan National Forest and Camp Lejeune will be destroyed. This area is critical to the survival of Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes in North Carolina. The Trent River, which flows out of Hofmann, is also home to the endemic Neuse River Water Dog. Much of Hofmann is currently covered in pine plantations, but the land has excellent potential for habitat restoration, and it is home to thousands of timber rattlesnakes and box turtles in its existing condition.

People can learn more about the issue using our cool new interactive map:
http://wn.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=80da886a8e7e4eb899a4d3e9c11c66bd

And then take action by signing and sharing our petition to stop the sale (over 8500 signatures so far!):
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/save-hofmann-forest-from?source=c.fwd&r_by=10925835

Thank you!

Ron

Ron Sutherland, Ph.D.
Conservation Scientist
Wildlands Network
919-401-7271 w 919-641-0060 c
 
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