Success Stories

View case studies on how leaders in North Carolina and beyond are building community and ecosystem resilience. To filter the results, select the categories you are interested in and scroll down to select "Apply." Submit your resilience success story.

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Hazards
Pre-cleanup photo of old Sibley Mill, federally designated as a brownfield due to industrial contamination. Source: EPA

Augusta, Ga., brownfield cleanup

Last Updated: April 9, 2024
 

The Augusta Canal Authority analyzed the climate vulnerability of a brownfield redevelopment as part of an EPA checklist. The site is vulnerable to more frequent and intense flooding, which can impact the mobility of contaminated material left onsite. Based on findings, the landowner removed contaminated soils rather than capping them.


Success Story Details

View of large field with cover crop of multiple plant species. (Source: USDA-NRC)

Better soil, better climate

Last Updated: April 24, 2024
 

An Ohio farmer’s use of cover crops year-round and not tilling his fields led to increased crop productivity, reduced costs for fertilizer and pesticides and increased carbon sequestered into the soil. He encourages other farmers to adopt his methods both locally and globally.


Success Story Details

The elevation of mobile homes in Brevard, N.C., to come into compliance with the updated Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. (Source: Brad Burton)

Brevard manages flood risk with a “No Adverse Impact” development standard

Published: March 1, 2024
 

Brevard’s City Council updated the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance after two hurricanes caused immense damage. The new ordinance requires that proposed developments not increase risk to residents or properties downstream.


Success Story Details

Sunny day on the shore of Currituck Sound with egret wading nearby.

Building resilience in the OBX

Last Updated: April 24, 2024
 

In North Carolina's Outer Banks, the coastal Town of Nags Head used the Vulnerability Consequences and Adaptation Planning Scenario (VCAPS) tool in an open public planning process. The town used the results of this visual, participatory tool to incorporate coastal hazards in its subsequent comprehensive plan update.


Success Story Details

County inspection photo showing a home being built in the steep slope overlay. (Source: Buncombe County)

Buncombe County uses zoning ordinance to manage landslide risk

Published: March 1, 2024
 

Construction on high elevation slopes and ridges can disturb environments and increase the chances of a landslide. Buncombe County included overlay districts its zoning ordinance that increase safety and decrease environmental impacts from new development on slopes and ridges.


Success Story Details