Siler City earns Urban Conservation Award

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SILER CITY — The town of Siler City was awarded the Urban Conservation Award by the N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in January.

The Urban Conservation Award recognizes individuals, organizations or corporations in the urban setting for outstanding conservation achievements. Siler City Planning Director Jack Meadows represented Siler City at the annual meeting of the N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Raleigh last month and was presented a plaque.

The award came as a surprise to town officials, according to Meadows.

Susannah Goldston, Soil Conservation Specialist for Chatham County, nominated Siler City for the award. The nomination application Goldston submitted lauded the work the town has done to improve water quality inside its limits.

“The Town of Siler City has been instrumental in several Loves Creek watershed water quality projects including recently completed Boling Lane Park stormwater project with Critical Area Planting (CCAP), Riparian Buffer (CCAP), two Stormwater Wetlands (319) and native plantings,” the nomination read. “Boling Lane Park may also be the site for a future educational rain garden and step pools to treat stormwater, dependent on grant funding. The Town is responsible for other projects in the Loves Creek watershed including support of the Loves Creek Watershed Stewards (LCWS), Loves Creek Greenway and planned Critical Area Planting (CCAP) at Bray Park. The Town’s support of LCWS also includes potential projects like urban flood plain property acquisitions and restorations, potential stream daylighting, impervious surface removal, invasive vegetation removal, floodplain property acquisitions, stream and floodplain restorations, rainwater cisterns and gray water reuse.”

Siler City Town Manager Bryan Thompson shared the news with the Siler City Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting on Jan. 22 at the Siler City Town Hall.

“Jack [Meadows] and [Siler City Parks and Recreation Director] Joseph [Keel] both did a lot of work securing hundreds of thousands of dollars for stream restoration.”

Thompson also noted that the work that Meadows and Keel have done with the Watershed Stewards group have not only secured funding and helped to repair Love’s Creek, but also provided hope for more opportunity in the community.

“The labor of our staff working with outside partners to establish the Loves Creek Watershed Stewards and the work on the ground that’s been completed as a result is something to be proud of,” Thompson told the News + Record. “The leadership of Jack Meadows and Joseph Keel have made these efforts possible. Various projects, including improving stormwater management facilities in our community along with brownfield restoration efforts have not only the potential for significant long-term water quality and environmental benefits but also meaningful economic development implications. Many of these stormwater projects will greatly improve flooding issues in existing flood prone areas throughout town. These efforts showcase our efforts to improving the quality of life for those in our community.”

“Siler City has been a fantastic partner in the Loves Creek Watershed Council and fully supportive in improving water quality within the town and therefore downstream as well,” Goldston said.

Siler City, Urban Conservation Award