BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Luci Fernandez, BOARD CHAIR

• Cumberland County

James Wilson, VICE CHAIR

• Cumberland County

VACANT, BOARD TREASURER

• County TBD

VACANT, BOARD SECRETARY

• County TBD

Barbara Bennett

• Moore County

Deborah Branson

• Hoke County

Maurizia Chapman

• Cumberland County

Scott Cole

• Scotland County

Patrick Coughlin

• Moore County

Jerry Dietzen

• Cumberland County

Luci Fernandez

• Cumberland County

Harry Huberth

• Moore County

Paul Johnson

• Cumberland County

Melvin Lewis

• Cumberland County

Keith Lynch

• Cumberland County

Jim Matheny

• Montgomery County

Jennifer Riley

• Moore County

Charlene Sumlin-Cross

• Cumberland County

Maureen Sutton

• Moore County

Assad Tavakoli

• Cumberland County

Theresa Thompson

• Harnett County

Faren Wolter

• Hoke County

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Gregory Bean

• Fort Bragg Directorate of Public Works

Greg Burns

• NC Department of Transportation, Fayetteville Office

David Heins

• Fort Bragg Directorate of Public Works

Monita McLaurin

• Division of Community Assistance, NC Department of Commerce

Chris Russo

• NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Colonel Stephen Sicinski

• Garrison Commander, Fort Bragg

OUR STAFF

Kelly Blandford Bah , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

• (910) 484-9098 or (330) 316-6327 cell

Jen Cooke , MARKETING & OFFICE MANAGER

Our HISTORY

In 2000, Fort Bragg leadership took a proactive stand to ensure the long-term viability of the installation.  Resource restraints, including restrictions on land use for realistic training due to encroachment and protection of endangered flora and fauna, raised questions as to Fort Bragg’s ability to continue to meet their mission.  By mid-2002, the installation’s newly formed Sustainable Fort Bragg (SFB) program had succeeded in identifying its “environmental footprint," and, based on that information, developed goals and goal teams centered on air, water, energy, education and construction to reduce that footprint.

Air, however, does not recognize borders, waterways flow without regard to boundaries, and encroachment on installation borders poses a serious threat to the mission, and ultimately the installation.  A sustainable region was the next logical step.  It was crucial for the survival of Fort Bragg to partner with the six counties - Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Moore, Richmond and Scotland (Lee and Montgomery were added in 2005 to bring the total to eight) - abutting the installation and to promote sustainability on a regional level.  Embracing the vision of a sustainable region within the Sandhills of North Carolina, an unlikely partnership was formed when Fort Bragg’s Garrison Commander met with the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR).  The result was an innovative initiative:  Sustainable Sandhills.

In February 2003, Fort Bragg and NC DENR convened stakeholders from the surrounding communities to propose the idea of a new partnership in the form of the Sustainable Sandhills initiative.  More than 150 community leaders, state and local elected officials, and government representatives were introduced to the concept and prospect of cultural change through sustainability.  Representatives from Save Our State, the NC Department of Transportation, NC Department of Commerce, and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs addressed the audience, not only on their participation in sustainability efforts but also on the importance of finding a common vision for the region that could transcend political and municipality boundaries.  At the conclusion of the February conference, 40 attendees volunteered their time and talents to establish the Steering Committee in order to keep the momentum going and take the necessary steps to turn the idea into a plan.

This Steering Committee subsequently held a four-day training session and workshop on sustainability at Campbell University in Harnett County.  The training and workshop began with “The Natural Step” framework (a philosophy based on scientific principles for a sustainable society) and the four system conditions that must be met in order to have a sustainable society.  In layman’s terms, these conditions are:

• Don’t rely on nonrenewable resources;
• Don’t systematically increase synthetic products that don’t biodegrade;
• Don’t degrade nature’s services (trees that create oxygen, wetlands that provide habitat and filter water); and
• Make sure everyone’s basic needs are met.

The 130 people who attended the workshop determined where the above criteria were being violated and where they were doing a good job.  The initial focus was on six activity areas:  1) Agriculture, 2) Commerce and Economy, 3) Growth and Development, 4) Transportation, 5) Tourism, and 6) Military issues.  After evaluating the impacts of those activities for a day, the following common impacts were identified:  1) Materials Use, 2) Water, 3) Energy, 4) Land Use, and 5) Air Quality.  Teams were then formed to come up with desired end states, objectives, and strategies.  Since this workshop, these teams (named Community Resource Teams) have met regularly to discuss implementation plans and additional strategies, and to develop projects for achieving their long-term goals.

Since 2003, the initiative has evolved into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.  In 2005, it expanded to eight counties by adding Lee and Montgomery counties to the original six counties.  See our 501(c)(3) letter.  See our By Laws. 

Our Present and Future

2011-2012 SS Board Records

2010-2011 SS Board Records

2009-2010 SS Board Records