Tim Evans, director of land conservation at Audubon South Carolina, told the Dorchester commission the organization owns about 10,000 acres locally and has purchased adjacent parcels to fill gaps; partners and commissioners identified three landowners whose cooperation could complete the Night Track connection.

Soil and Water reported accomplishments including an Envirothon hosting, increased outreach (podcasts, soil tests, tree and fish sales), and reliance on 72 volunteers who logged ~2,500 hours. The department requested replacement of an aging equipment shed and noted staff succession concerns due to an expected retirement of a long-time volunteer/co-

EPA reported more than 40 community interviews and a successful Sio Township workshop to inform a draft community involvement plan; the agency said it will share a draft for roughly 30 days of public comment and noted the public survey closes tonight.

A University of California extension forester told the Mendocino County Fish & Wildlife Commission that the Mediterranean oak borer (MOB), an ambrosia beetle associated with a pathogenic fungus, is present in the county and poses a long-term threat to valley and blue oaks; state classification as a lower-priority pest complicates funding and large‑