Ryan Sparks

Nonpartisan challenger

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

What experience, knowledge and personal qualities prepare you for this office? Cite specific evidence from your public, professional or community record.

I am a dedicated natural resource management professional with more than 10 years of service devoted to the protection and conservation of natural resources in Western North Carolina. For the past 10 years I have served as the stewardship director at Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina where I have been responsible for conservation easement compliance monitoring and the natural resource management and restoration of several thousand acres of permanent conservation lands in our region. Prior to my employment with Foothills Conservancy of NC, I worked with several consulting foresters in our area writing forest management plans and conducting forest improvement activities for private woodland owners. I hold a Master of Forest Resources degree and a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from the University of Georgia, along with a bachelors degree from Western Carolina University in Natural Resource Conservation and Management, and an associates degree in Forest Management from Haywood Community College.

Where do you believe you would bring a different approach from the other candidates?

I believe my extensive background working with conservation landowners has prepared me well for this type of role. I have a history of listening to landowner concerns about resource management issues and assisting them with finding meaningful, attainable solutions. I have strong connections with other resource management agencies and professionals in Western NC and I will leverage these connections to advance the cause of protecting and ensuring the future productivity of Burke County's natural resources.

What are the two most important challenges this office will face during the next term, and what specific actions within the office's actual authority would you take to address them?

The impacts from Hurricane Helene to our streams and waterways will continue to present challenges to Burke County landowners. Funding for debris removal and restoration continues to be funneled into our area and it can be difficult for landowners to become aware of these opportunities and to then navigate through the application and approval processes. As local leaders for conservation, we should be at the forefront of informing others and assisting Burke County residents with accessing these programs. Urban growth and development is another important challenge facing Burke County and the protection of its natural resources. As more people chose to live and work in Burke County, more pressure is placed on our natural resources to support residents. Farms and forests that provide food and fiber make way for housing and commercial development. Increased impervious surfaces results in higher amounts of stormwater runoff that puts our creeks and streams at increased risk of pollutants. We can combat these challenges by investing more in current programs like the Burke County Voluntary Ag. District and cost share programs that assist landowners with implementing conservation practices on their properties.

What measurable standards or benchmarks should voters use to judge your performance, and how will you keep the public informed about your decisions and progress?

As a member of the District Board of Supervisors, I would work with fellow members towards achieving the collective goals of the Board and the Soil & Water Conservation Staff. Together, we would set conservation goals and priorities for Burke County and then work to achieve these goals through the programs offered by Soil & Water Staff, Benchmarks used to evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts can include data on the positive environmental impact that has resulted from the implementation of conservation practices in Burke County. For example, number of acres of cover crops planted, miles of streambank repaired, amount of new farms enrolled in the County's Voluntary Ag. District program. Education and outreach benchmarks, like number of workshops performed and number of Burke County students reached, are also important. The public can be informed, and get involved, in many ways, either through keeping up with Burke Soil & Water social media presence, engaging in a public workshop or public assistance program, meeting and talking with Soil & Water Staff, or attending a Board meeting.

What is the county's most pressing conservation problem, such as streambank damage, erosion, flooding, farmland loss or polluted runoff, and what project would you pursue first?

The loss of farmland and lack of available farmland to new and beginning farmers if one of the most pressing conservation problems for North Carolina and Burke County. According the NC Dept. of Agriculture, North Carolina lost more than 11,000 farms and more than 950,000 acres of farmland between 2002 and 2022. That is average of 500 farms year, out of production, over the course of 20 years. From 2017 to 2022, the number of farms operating in Burke County dropped by 7%. Neighboring Counties like McDowell, Lincoln, and Cleveland all experienced double digit losses in the number of farms in operation over the same time period. These trends show the challenge we face to protect the remaining farms and productive farmland soils we have available from development and changes in land use. Protecting local farms ensures the availability of local, healthy food; supports wildlife, clean air, and clean water; and contributes to our local economy. Continuing to grow the County's Voluntary Agricultural District program and advocating for local farmers would be a priority for me, if elected.

Because the district relies heavily on voluntary cooperation, grants and partnerships, how would you persuade landowners to participate and obtain the money needed to produce a measurable result?

The answer lies within the question and the importance of partnerships and relationship building cannot be understated. Landowners looking to participate in the programs offered by the District have to be able to trust that the Board and Staff at the local level to have their best interest in mind. To develop relationships based on trust, we have to take time to listen and understand concerns, maintain open lines of communication, approach situations with empathy, and treat others as we expect to be treated. I would work to build a conservation community with landowners in Burke County based off mutual trust and respect.