HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-03-2014 - 4b 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 3, 2014
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Resolution Recognizing Judd Edeburn for his Work with Duke Forest
DEPARTMENT: BOCC PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
- Resolution
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Orange
County Board of Commissioners,
(919) 245-2130
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution recognizing Judson "Judd" Edeburn for his work with Duke
Forest, especially portions within Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Judson "Judd" Edeburn started working as the Resource Manager for Duke
Forest in 1978. Duke Forest is located in portions of Durham, Orange and Alamance counties,
and Duke University is the largest property owner in Orange County due to the presence of
Duke Forest.
Edeburn's commitment to land conservation helped to facilitate Orange County's purchase of
portions of Duke Forest no longer needed by the University including the McGowan Creek
Preserve near the Eno River and Efland and at New Hope Preserve on Erwin Road.
Judd Edeburn has led the growth of Duke Forest for over 35 years — growth of both the
ecosystem and of research projects. Mr. Edeburn has announced his retirement as Resource
Manager, and will continue to remain involved with Duke Forest as a part-time project manager
through the end of the year.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize
the Chair to sign the attached resolution recognizing Judd Edeburn for over 35 years of service
managing Duke Forest and preserving local natural resources for the people of Orange County.
RES-2014-034 2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JUDD EDEBURN FOR HIS WORK
WITH DUKE FOREST
WHEREAS, Judson "Judd" Edeburn started working as the Resource Manager for Duke Forest in
1978, and Duke Forest is located in portions of Durham, Orange and Alamance counties;
and,
WHEREAS, Duke University is the largest property owner in Orange County due to the presence of
Duke Forest; and,
WHEREAS, Duke Forest anchors the Rural Buffer, a land use creation that protects open space and
sensitive natural resources in southern Orange County; and,
WHEREAS, Duke Forest has evolved to a teaching and research laboratory, has grown to over 7,000
acres with sections registered as a North Carolina Natural Heritage Site, and has hosted
an estimated 164,000 visitors in a single year; and,
WHEREAS, Edeburn's commitment to land conservation helped to facilitate Orange County's
purchase of portions of Duke Forest no longer needed by the University including the
McGowan Creek Preserve near the Eno River and Efland and at New Hope Preserve on
Erwin Road; and,
WHEREAS, under Edeburn's stewardship, Duke Forest has managed to maintain its research mission
while facilitating the use of significant portions of the acreage for recreation by Orange
County residents; and,
WHEREAS, in a spirit of collaboration, Edeburn worked with Orange County to designate a portion
of Duke Forest to serve as the required buffer for the construction and demolition landfill
north of Eubanks Road; and,
WHEREAS, Edeburn's low-key but determined advocacy for Duke Forest has enabled it to withstand
repeated efforts by University leadership to convert these key lands to development uses
that would forever change their character and that of the communities that abut them;
and,
WHEREAS, Judd Edeburn has led the growth of Duke Forest for over 35 years — growth of both the
ecosystem and of research projects;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby
recognize Judd Edeburn for his progress in environmental research and commitment to
the preservation of natural resources globally, including Orange County, and we do
hereby wish him well in his retirement and future endeavors.
This the third day of June 2014.
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners