Archives
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 20 (2021)In this volume, you will find much exciting research about geography and life in North Carolina. In “Trends in Flood Insurance Behavior Following Hurricanes in North Carolina,” Julia Cardwell discusses uptake behavior in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims in North Carolina throughout the past 25 years. In “A Comprehensive Assessment and Evaluation of the Digital Geospatial Data Sources Used in the Study of Food Deserts and Food Swamps,” Timothy Mulrooney et al., discuss the accuracy of spatial data in determining food deserts. In “Proliferating Transportation-Related Careers Through the NSTI,” Chris McGinn et al., discuss the role of the National Summer Transportation Institute in providing educational and training opportunities to middle and high school students. In “Environmental Outcomes of Municipal Incorporation,” Russell M. Smith and Richard G. Moye, Jr. investigate the disproportionate impact of environmental disasters on communities of color throughout the United States. We are so pleased that these authors shared their research with us during this critical, liminal point in history. We are excited about the future of this journal and look forward to future manuscript submissions.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 19 (2012)This volume of The North Carolina Geographer includes an historical review of the World Geography Bowl. The WGB traces its origins to universities in Nmth Carolina and most especially to Neal Lineback at Appalachian State University. The Bowl has become a major part of our regional Southeastern Division meeting of the Association of American Geographers, as well as the national AAG meetings held each year.
The North Carolina Geographical Society continues to require financial support to pay publishing and distribution costs of this journal. Please renew your membership today if you have not already done so.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 18 (2011)The 1gth volume of The North Carolina Geographer includes a variety of articles, reviews, and reports. Susan Walcott analyzes the dynamic influx of southeast Asian migrants to the state. Tim Mulrooney examines the potential for wind power. Cheryl Hegevik and Chris Badurek present a temporal analysis of drought. Nathan Phillippi considers the roll of topography and tactics in one of the final military exchanges of the Civil War. And Gordana Valhovic and Rakesh Malhotra review their experience with teaching GIS using an Esri site license. In the reports sections, Jeff Patton was named North Carolina Geographer of the Year at the North Carolina Geographical Society meeting in Greensboro, and Jim Young provides an update on activities of the North Carolina Geographical Alliance.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 17 (2009)This 17th volume of The North Carolina Geographer is a double issue spanning 2009 and 2010. It includes articles on the diverse geography of the state from the mountains to the coastal plain. A Carolina Landscapes article reviews maps of Native American settlements and a sample lesson plan engages students by examining the influence of climate change on coastal environments. A report of the 2010 annual meeting of The North Carolina Geographical Society is also included, along with a citation of the North Carolina Geographer of the Year awarded to Ron Mitchelson of East Carolina University. Finally, we memorialize the significant contribution to Geography of Professor Frank Ainsley, who passed away after a short illness during the summer of 2010.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 15 (2007)In this volume of The North Carolina Geographer, we are excited to have research articles pertaining to mapping of flood extent with DEM-Inundation models, the North Carolina Global Transpark, and the North Carolina's Inner Banks. This will be the last volume produced by the UNC Wilmington editorial staff. We would like to thank all of the individuals that have offered their time towards the success of this journal, especially all manuscript referees and previous NCGS Secretaries Bill Graves and Selima Sultana. Michael Lewis of UNC Greensboro has been selected as the new journal editor and this editorial staff is confident he will maintain and increase the quality of the journal. As always, we encourage submissions of both research articles and Carolina Landscapes entries to the journal. Only through submission of manuscripts will our journal remain vital and sustainable. Remember, the goal of the journal is to highlight research on the geography of North Carolina, and topics of interest to geographers in North Carolina. Submit a manuscript yourself or encourage your colleagues and students to submit. Submissions for the 2008 issue are currently being accepted.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 14 (2006)In this volume of The North Carolina Geographer, we are excited to have research articles pertaining to streamflow and whitewater recreation in the western part of the state, Asian and Hispanic settlement patterns across the state, and Wilmington's rainwater chemistry. Due to Dot Mason's successful retirement, we will not have the presentation of a lesson plan from the 2005 Nortl1 Carolina Geographical Society Educator of the Year. We do look forward to Jim Young's entry next year. As always, we encourage submissions of both research articles and Carolina Landscapes entries to the journal. Only through submission of manuscripts will our journal remain vital and sustainable. Remember, the goal of the journal is to highlight research on the geography of North Carolina, and topics of interest to geographers in North Carolina. Submit a manuscript yourself or encourage your colleagues and students to submit. \Ve are currently accepting submission for the 2007 issue.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 13 (2005)This volume of The North Carolina Geographer represents the second installment of the new journal format. This new format includes the traditional research articles and the new Carolina Landscapes section. In this volume, this new section includes a report on the role of corporations in the transformation of North Carolina's urban landscape by GlaxoKleinSmith Faculty Fellow Bill Graves (UNC Charlotte) and a lesson plan on North Carolina's American Indians by Thom Ross (UNC Pembroke), the 2004 North Carolina Geographical Society Educator of the Year. We encourage submissions of both research articles and Carolina Landscapes entries to the journal. Only through submission of manuscripts will our journal remain vital and sustainable. Remember, the goal of the journal is to highlight research on the geography of North Carolina, and topics of interest to geographers in North Carolina. Submit a manuscript yourself or encourage your colleagues and students to submit. We are currently accepting submission for the 2006 issue.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 12 (2004)Beginning with this issue, editorship of The North Carolina Geographer is being assumed by Mike Benedetti, Doug Gamble, Joanne Halls and Liz Hines at the University of North Carolina W ilmington. We would like to thank the UNCW Department of Earth Sciences for facilities and student support as we take this new role. Our goal is to build upon the foundation laid by Ole Gade, Deborah Dixon, Patrick Pease, and Jeff Popke over the previous eleven volumes. T he goal of the journal has not changed; it is to highlight research on the geography of North Carolina, and topics of interest to geographers working in North Carolina. Toward this end, we have designed a new section that will compliment the traditional research articles in the journal. Named Carolina Landscapes, this section will include field reports, interviews, lessons plans, and book reviews to provide geographic perspectives on issues that have shaped the North Carolina landscape. We are very interested in feedback about this new feature of the journal.
For the 2004 version of Carolina Landscapes, members of the Atmospheric Science Program at East Carolina University offer a geographic perspective of the 2004 hurricane season, one of the most active on record. Justin Arnette, a geographer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (and UNC-Wilmington alumnus), discusses his application of GIS skills in Afghanistan. Frank Ainsley, who was recognized as 2003 Educator of the Year by the North Carolina Geographical Society, offers a teaching lesson on cultural geography and architecture in eastern North Carolina. We look forward to an entry by Tom Ross, the 2004 recipient of the ward, in the next issue.
Finally, we wish to encourage submissions of both research articles and Carolina Landscapes entries to the journal. Only through submission of manuscripts will our journal remain vital and sustainable. Submit a manuscript yourself or encourage your colleagues and students. We are currently accepting submissions for the 2005 issue.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 11 (2003)To commemorate the 2003 meeting place for the North Carolina Geographical Society, this year's cover image is an oil painting titled "Charlotte Skyline" by North Carolina artist Jeff Pittman. Jeff Pittman is originally from Greenville, NC and now resides in Asheville. The editors thank Mr. Pittman for generously allowing us to reproduce his artwork for the cover. Additional information about Mr. Pittman and examples of his other works can be found at www. jeffpittmanart.com/index.html.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 10 (2002)The North Carolina Geographer is published by the North Carolina Geographical Society and serves as a medium for the dissemination of research concerning geographic phenomena of regional interest. Contributions are welcome and should conform to the Guidelines for Authors presented on the last page. Articles should be submitted to the Editors.
Authors alone are responsible for opinions voiced in this journal. Please direct inquiries concerning subscriptions and availability of past issues to the Editors. -
North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 9 (2001)The North Carolina Geographer is published by the North Caolina Geographical Society and serves as a medium for the dissemination of research concerning geographic phenomena of regional interest. Contributions are welcome and should conform to the Guidelines for Authors presented on the last page. Articles should be submitted to the Editors.
Authors alone are responsible for opinions voiced in this journal. Please direct inquiries concerning subscriptions and availability of past issues to the Editors.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 8 (2000)The North Carolina Geographer is published by the North Carolina Geographical Society and serves as a medium for the dissemination of research concerning geographic phenomena of regional interest. Contributions are welcome and should conform to the Guidelines for Authors presented on the last page. Articles should be submitted to the Editors.
Authors alone are responsible for opinions voiced in this journal. Please direct inquiries concerning subscriptions and availability of past issues to the Editors.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 7 (1999)The North Carolina Geographer is published by the North Carolina Geographical Society and serves as a medium for the dissemination of research concerning geographic phenomena of regional interest. Contributions are welcome and should conform to the Guidelines for Authors presented on the last page. Articles should be submitted to the Editors. Authors alone are responsible for opinions voiced in this journal. Please direct inquiries concerning subscriptions and availability of past issues to the Editors.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 6 (1998)Tbe North Carolina Geographer is published by the North Carolina Geographical Society and serves as a medium for the dissemination of research concerning geographic phenomena of local interest. Contributions are welcome and should conform to the Notes for Authors (available from the Editor). Articles should be submitted to the Editor.
Authors alone are responsible for opinions voiced in this journal. Please direct inquiries concerning subscriptions and availability of past issues to the Editor.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 5 (1996)The North Carolina Geographer is published by the North Carolina Geographical Society. For inquiries concerning subscriptions and availability of past issues, as well as for article submission guidelines please contact the Editor.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 4 (1995)In this, the fourth volume of The North Carolina Geographer, we have included articles that represent each of the three subject cornerstones in the science of geography, physical, cultural, and regional geography.
Specifically, there are three contributions that emerge from a physical environmental foundation to show how people in North Carolina have been affecting, through their varied land Uses, some particular condition of our natural resources. In these articles the primary focus is on soils and on hydrology, or water resources. Our authors are concerned not only to demonstrate the newest in geographic tools used to assess the particular environmental problem, but also to show how changing pressures on the land require new approaches to land resource management. And so it is also for the articles that on the one hand focuses on cultural attributes, specifically mill villages, and on the other, the changes occurring in multi-county government organization and impacting the state's communities.
Craig Seaver and Mike Mayfield from Appalachian State University provide a study of soil erosion rates as they are affected by shifting land uses over nearly four decades. Soil erosion is especially problematic for hilly tracts of land, and none are more so than those found in the Appalachian mountains. Here the problem received considerable attention beginning in the 1930s, with the initiation of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and soil conservation measures have since been widely applied. The authors use geographic information systems technology to assess shifts in erosion rates, finding that the reduction in erosion is probably more related to a gradual changes from agriculture to urbanization related land
uses, rather than specifically to the application of soil conservation measures.Tom Ross of Pembroke State University has for several years been focusing his research on improved rural land management practices in the southern part of the state's coastal plains region. Through a detailed assessment of agricultural productivity he finds that the use of irrigation to supplement the natural, but irregularly occurring pattern of precipitation, provides an important boost to crop yields. Though he suggests that further work is needed on understanding the availability and quality of irrigation water from its two main sources, groundwater and surface, he shows that the irrigated acreage can be expanded.
County-wide wellhead protection is a new state encouraged approach for local government to identify and manage the recharge areas for public water. The persistent threat of public water contamination provides the motivation for this important public program. Will Harman and Steve Smutko, both associated with the Agricultural Extension Service, Harman as a Field Agent in Gaston County and Smutko as an Extension Specialist with North Carolina State University, are the authors of this report on how Gaston County is approaching the development of a wellhead protection program. So far unique in the state, the Gaston approach may serve as a model for other counties as they begin to address county-wide wellhead protection.
Doug Eyre of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill returns us to a recurring North Carolina Geographer theme in the cultural geography, the condition and future of our communities and smaller towns. As a major feature in the state's settlement history, the changing character of mill villages and towns certainly deserve particular attention. In this comparative case study of Bynum, Saxapahaw, and Carrboro, Eyre traces their evolution from their initial selection as textile mill sites. The three mill villages have emerged as very different settlements. Though all three have been negatively affected by locational shifts in the textile industry, their present status reflects their differing proximity to the heart of a rapidly
expanding urban region, the Piedmont Triangle, within which they are emerging as economic satellites.Rapidly expanding metropolitan regions reveal only one of several patterns of change and development in the state. North Carolina, like her sister states, is characterized by a persistence in the geographic unevenness of its development, both economic and social. In an earlier day this was in part ameliorated by multi-county regional governments whose task it was to channel federal social welfare benefits to the state's localities. Ole Gade of Appalachian State University provides an analysis of how earlier attempts at ensuring local access to federal programs now may be encumbered by a postfederal deemphasis on revenue sharing to the local level, and the newly emerging regional structure which takes its cue from local private enterprise initiatives plus state government support for new or relocating industries. Gade suggests that communities in the state's more rural periphery will be the losers by this new vision of public responsibility.
As always, the Journal closes with comments on ongoing research that finds display of its results on the front and back cover. While the back cover represents a multicolor version of a figure provided in the Seaver/ Mayfield article, the front cover includes a set of visuals from a map sheet, North Carolina's Place in the World, recently published by the Department of Geography of Appalachian State University. An undergraduate major in the Department, David Lambert, discusses the visuals.
On the behalf of the North Carolina Geographical Society, I must thank those individuals and departments who have provided the additional support needed to publish this issue of the Journal. Continued support is provided, both technical and financial, by the Appalachian State University GIS and Image Processing Labs. By their sponsored advertising I acknowledge the support of the departments of geography of the following institutions, East Carolina State University, The University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, and The University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Due to the yearly appearance of this Journal it is not feasible to publish in every issue the names of one of its most critical human resources, the readers who provide invaluable assistance in rendering objective and knowledgeable judgment and recommendation on the articles presented to the Editor for possible publication. I hope that the readers will bear with me. They may expect to see their names listed in tribute only every third issue. Finally, I apologize for the inadvertent omission in last year's issue of the Acknowledgment paragraph of the article by Eugene J. Palka and Thomas W. Crawford. -
North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 3 (1994)A number of factors have combined to hinder the timely arrival of this the third volume of The North Carolina Geographer. We hope that these problems are now behind us and that future issues will arrive as anticipated. At this point, however, we are reminded that no issue has arrived during the summer promised. Accordingly, we will designate future issues with a fall publication date. Thus readers should expect volume four to arrive in November of this year.
On this note we would like to welcome the large number of North Carolina regional and educational institution libraries that recently have become subscribers to the The North Carolina Geographer, the annual journal of the North Carolina Geographical Society. As indicated by the content of this issue we publish geographic research articles, reports, and book reviews of interest to the general public of our state. The emphasis is emphatically on the current North Carolina scene as viewed by geographers with their fascination for regional, people-environment, and place location issues. As is well demonstrated by articles presented here geographers are especially interested in recording the dynamics of change as is evidenced by the use of our land, environmental problems, and shifts in our social, political, and economic activities. From these concerns emerge the needs of our people and our environments, whether measured locally, regionally, statewide, or globally. Our authors seek to identify these needs and frequently will point to possible ways of meeting them.
So, for example, you will see in our lead article the results of research by Gene Palka and Tom Crawford of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the incidence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. How many North Carolinians realize that this, one of the most severe of infectious diseases, is a fairly recent entrant to the local scene? And it has so dramatically impacted our state that its populace is currently the worst afflicted in the nation! Explore with Palka and Crawford the options available to North Carolinians in the face of this plague.
Also from UNC-Chapel Hill is Don Albert, who looks at the dynamics of land use changes as these influence the location of physician offices. Albert chose to use Asheville over the past four decades as his case study. But the reality of these kinds of land use changes are near universal. MD' s have been fleeing the central city, as have many other professional and personal services, with the result of a marked decrease in the availability of medical care to the indigent population. And while the zoning land use tool has been important in defining appropriate medical function land uses, these, in their newfound locations, have not benefitted the central city resident.
Mike Lewis, a geographer, John Jezorek, a chemist, and Parke Rublee, a biologist, have applied their multifaceted research expertise to the problems of constructing in watersheds, which may result in negatively affecting urban water quality and the incidence of local floods. They study here the Lake Daniel Project in Greensboro. Here they found that a local citizen group, with support of the local chapter of the National Audubon Society and representatives of the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department, was able to institute a series of beneficial environmental changes for the watershed. And this was accomplished without incurring the otherwise frequent adversarial/litigious prone conditions engendered among city officials, developers, and environmental groups when their diverse interests spark into conflict over storm water management approaches.
With Tink Moore and Don Mitchell of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte we return to a theme that we as geographers seem to persist in addressing: How to teach the fundamentals of a complex discipline to a noviate public, especially school children. Goaded on by persistent evidence of geographic illiteracy, we have devised various and sundry means to more effectively communicate the themes and relevance of our discipline. Moore and Mitchell address this issue through an example provided by Mitchell, a teacher in the Newton Conover Middle School, and find that the complexities of geography are best learned by beginning with a focus on places and activities of relevance to those to be taught. In this case the gym of the 'Red Devils' provides the place in question, and the basketball games, though more importantly, the great variety of other community activities, exemplify the themes of geography.
In our reports for this issue we include our traditional discussion of the multicolored journal cover. In this case we are exemplifying some of the wall map products created at Appalachian State University's Department of Geography and Planning. Art Rex, of this department, looks at the evolution of the cartographer's art to its present geographic information systems' status. A more detailed account of geographers' interest in recording the changing conditions of land use on the earth's surface is provided by Simon Baker of East Carolina University. Baker, a long time pilot, demonstrates the application of aerial photography to changing conditions along the North Carolina coast. His primary objective here is to provide information on the basics in this type of aerial survey, and to show that this is not a task difficult to perform, nor is it particularly costly even when you will have to rent the plane and hire the pilot. He recommends that this technique be applied more frequently by those who have a serious interest in the shifting fortunes of our shorelines. But, of course, the basics are applicable to any part of our state. Anywhere and everywhere this is an excellent technique for getting' on top' of land use change issues.
We are very pleased to have inaugurated with this issue, a book review section. Here we are evaluating Pembroke State University geographer Thomas Ross' book on Robeson County's geography. As noted by the reviewer, Frank Ainsley of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, this book provides an excellent example of what is needed for each of North Carolina's 100 counties. Well, county histories are quite popular. In fact, a goodly number of counties have more than one published history. It is time for more local level geography, a better way of getting at the intersect of people and environment as these relationships have evolved over time, and at a scale familiar to all of us.
In this issue you will see a number of editorial and design changes, perhaps most notably the addition of the book review section. We will henceforth include reviews of recently published books that clearly focus
on North Carolina's varied geography. For interested authors/publishers the procedure to follow is simply, contact the editor of the journal for preliminary approval and further information on the process to follow. As novices in the fine art of navigating the cutting edge of desk publishing technology we are still learning. Thus you will see a few new style wrinkles, designed to make the reading of the journal more enticing. With the support of Pat Pilchard and her crew, Beth Jacquot and Kerri Cox, of Appalachian State University's Media Center, we are now pleased that professionals are doing the Aldus ™PageMaker layout. And thanks go, as well, to Paul Maney for proofreading, to the faculty and chair of Appalachian State University's Department of Geography and Planning for unstinting encouragement and support, and the support generously provided in the form of advertisement fees by various geography departments in the state. For the general reader their ads provide additional information on the status and activities of geography departments in the state of North Carolina. Please look for them on the last pages of this issue. -
North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 2 (1993)This issue of The North Carolina Geographer, much like its predecessor, represents the broad perspectives of research and.application in geography and related disciplines. Even so we have here a pronounced tilt in emphasis toward North Carolina's environmental conditions and concerns; this especially as regards climate, water resources and environmental management. This is complemented by explorations into recent General Assembly decisions affecting life and land in the state. As always, the Journal includes shorter articles on more specialized matters, as well as a brief account of this issue's cover.
Walter Martin ofUNC-Charlotte leads off with a study of folk perceptions of coastal storm hazards. Long term residents appear to possesss much relevant information about specific localities frequented with greater impact by coastal storms. These hazard zones have subsequently been corroborated by scientists to the point to where it might be advisable to listen more closely to locals when considering issue relating to coastal management.
One of the major pieces of environmental legislation passed recently by the General Assembly was the Water Supply and Watershed Management Act. Bill Holder of Knoxville's Metropolitan Planning Commission and Mike Mayfield of Appalachian Stae University team to explore the utility of Geographic Information System·technology as a tool in establishing the drainage parameters of strean1 buffer zones. In this case the New River watershed in Ashe County provides a highly effective example of the junction of GIS technology and watershed management needs.
If it is raining in Burlington what then is the likelihood that it will be raining also in Charlotte? Surely this question suggests one of the problem issues in local and regional weather forecasting. Here it is given
a penetrating look by Peter J. Robinson of UNC-Chapel Hill. In a comparative study of mountain and lowland weather stations he finds that indeed the probability of rain in one particular place, given its actual occurrence in another, can be determined. JackHidore ofUNC-Grensboro follows with an account of weather hazards. In focusing on the N or'easters he discovers this prevailing winter-early spring storm to be persistently one of the state's major atmospheric hazards.Doug Eyre of UNC-Chappel Hill weaves a fine web in detailing the evolution ofth e series ofg eographically convoluted redistricting plans proffered by the major parties in their attempts to reconcile self interests and Voting Rights Act expectations. The most recent plan was implemented in time for the 1992 presidential elections, and is now being contested in the courts.
This Journal's Reports include a survey of the utility ofusing a computer speadsheet software package to ease problems of data manipulation and presentation. Garry Cooper of Appalachian State University demonstrates this software's knack at stimulating creativity in generating complex and useful visuals. And in support of the continually enriched palette of tools available to geographic research Tim Johnson provides a close look at the function and projects of the North Carolina Center for Geographic Information and Analysis.
Art Rex provides a description of this year's four color cover. Art is the project director ofthe GIS applications of the Upper Catawba Drainage Basin Project, itself directed out of the Western Piedmont
Council of Governments .with offices located in Hickory.The North Carolina Geographer continues to seek the results of current findings of academic and applied geographers, and of those who feel that their work and interest is in some way defined within the broad spectrum of this field. But we areawowedly committed to presenting exclusively material that reflects or has a direct bearing on North Carolina's conditions, past, present and future; this is a state journal! Any and all are invited to submit materials of interest to a readership that we expect to range from academicians, to planners and local and state decisionmakers, to school teachers, and to any member
of the public at large who find facination with the intricacies of our state's multifaceted geography. Articles submitted will be refereed by peers prior to acceptance for publication. Though this issue characterizes the style adopted by the Journal, all prospective authors may wish to contact the Editor for detailed guidelines on manuscript preparation. All articles should reach the Editor prior to January 31st of the year of publication. For the foreseable future we will be publishing The North Carolina Geographer on an annual basis as the journal of the North Carolina Geographical Society.The Society wishes herewith to express its deep appreciation to those who have labored in the production ofits Journal. Every other year we will acknowledge the support of the readers who freely provide their expertise and recommendations to prospective authors on the basis of their submitted work. So we thank the following individuals, John Florin, D. Gordon Bennett, Jack Hidore, Jonathan Phillips, Bill Rogers, Robert Reiman, William Imperatore, Tyrel Moore, Neal Lineback, Michael E. Lewis, Gerald L. Ingalls, Roger Winsor, Peter Soule , Brooks Cates, W. Frank Ainsley, Art Rex and Melinda Meade. In addition the appearance on the street of this particular issue owes much to the following, Kim Heinz and Paul Maney, Appalachian Graduate Assistants; John Craft, who spent much of his weekend clearing up some of the mysteries of Pagemaker, and the faculty and staff of the Department of Geography and Planning at Appalachian.
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North Carolina Geographer
Vol. 1 (1992)Welcome to this the premier issue of The North Carolina Geographer. The members of the sponsoring organization, the North Carolina Geographical Society, wish with this journal to provide a forum for those in our state and elsewhere, who are interested in writing and in learning about its complex and enticing geography.We feel that our initial issue is representative of the broad perspectives that geographers can bring to bear in support of a popular interest in better understanding the character, problems, and prospects of North Carolina.
Our lead article deals with local and regional ramifications of the scourge of our time, the HIV syndrome and the AIDS epidemic - it is with us and it is not going to go away in the near future! This article by two geographers from UNC-Charlotte, Gerald F. Pyle and Owen J. Furuseth, happens to also be a fine example of applied medical geography. An article on the Haw River Valley illustrates the keen interest that we in geography have in sensing and in depicting the interweaving of physical and cultural environments as our local landscapes evolve. The people-land theme is here well set in its appropriate historic evolutionary frame by three geographers from UNC-Chapel Hill, Kevin J. Patrick, Phil H. Page and Bill Welch. They incidentally provide an excellent example and set of guidelines for school teachers at all levels to follow in leading their students in a comprehensive field experience, the absolutely best way for young people to gain an appreciation of their local geography. (Students should help in designing the experience).
D. Gordon Bennett of UNC-Greensboro leads us in an investigation of a fairly recent social geography phenomenon for our state, the inmigration of retirees. This is a feature of not only the coastal counties, since some mountain and Sand Hills counties are experiencing it as well, but our author uses well the examples of Brunswick and Carteret counties to show how this special population impacts our local environments and benefits their economies. How critical it is for our local communities to plan well for these arrivals in providing appropriate service facilities and amenities, and in ensuring the preservation of environments that are attracting the influx of retires. And in response to the question of how we may in fact aid these smaller and in many cases, predominantly rural communities to plan for their futures, Garry Cooper of Appalachian suggests that the use of a group of planning students, in consultation with local planners and decisionmakers, is the answer. Planning continues to be a critical component of the geographic perspective that takes us along the continuum from understanding the nature of our physical environment and cultural landscape behaviors, to the implementation of those decisions that enhance our total environment and local communities for future generations. A contribution to political/electoral geography is made by Jerry Ingalls and Jamie L. Strickland of UNC-Charlotte in their analysis of the two most recent Jesse Helms senatorial victories in North Carolina. At issue is the degree to which Senator Helms' victories varied in their geographic dimension when the results against two somewhat different democratic opponents, Jim Hunt in 1986 and Harvey Gantt in 1990, are compared. Then Thomas E. Ross of Pembroke State looks at opportunities for economic development in a part of our state not otherwise well known for its potential for economic growth. In this example of economic geography the case in point is aquaculture, or fish farming, an industry very much in a growth mode. His study suggests that a spark ignited by a new invention or approach may demonstrate an unexpected capacity of a region to develop. What other options exist for those economically lagging regions of our state?
Two progress reports complement these studies of North Carolina's geography. William Imperatore of Appalachian and Douglas Wilms of East Carolina are the state co-coordinators of the North Carolina Geographic Alliance. They present here a capsule history of the extraordinary success this organization has had in promoting geographic education since its founding as one of the initial members of the National Geographic Society's Geographic Education Alliance Network in 1986. One critical aspect of the
historic contribution of geographers to science and societal welfare is in cartography, the art and craft of map making. We hope in each issue of the journal to highlight new approaches to the use of maps as
tools of communication and analysis. On our cover for this issue we are demonstrating the use of geographic information systems in dealing with the complex data sets needed for the application of the
new North Carolina watershed management requirements. Art Rex of Appalachian describes how this four-color cover exemplifies the utility of GIS in this important land use management need.The North Carolina Geographer seeks to present current findings of academic and applied geographers, and of others who feel that their work and interest is in some way defined within the broad spectrum of this field. But we are committed to the pursuit of presenting exclusively subject matter that reflects or has a direct bearing on North Carolina conditions, past, present and future; this avowedly is a state geographic journal. Any and all are invited to submit materials of interest to a readership that we expect to range from academicians, to planners and local and state decisionmakers,to school teachers, and to any member of the public at large who find fascination with the intricacies of our state's multidimensional geography. Submitters of materials proposed to be published herein should know that research articles are refereed by peers prior to acceptance for publication. Though this issue characterizes the style adopted by this journal, all prospective authors should request detailed guidelines from the Editor. All articles should be received by the Editor prior to January 31st of the year of publication. Present plans call for the publication of The North Carolina Geographer on an annual basis as the journal of the North Carolina Geographical Society. The journal is free to the members of the Society; others may request annual subscriptions at a cost of $7.50, including handling and postage. All interested are urged to join the Society as the probable least cost method of not only obtaining this journal, but also of being more directly involved in contributing to the welfare of geography in North Carolina. The Society wishes herewith to express heartfelt appreciation to those who have donated freely of their time in insuring the appearance of this initial issue. Especially must be mentioned the efforts of the Editorial Assistant, Dai Cui, a graduate student in Appalachian's Geography and Planning Department. In addition to also being the home of the Editor this department provided needed facilities, equipment, and secretarial support in addition to covering many costs incidental to publication. A number of faculty, notably Neal Lineback, H. Daniel Stillwell, and Art Rex, as well as Doug Eyre of UNC-Chapel Hill, provided editorial support and encouragement. In financing this publication it is primarily the members of the
North Carolina Geographical Society and its Executive Committee who are responsible. But additional financial support was gratefully received from the North Carolina Geographic Alliance, the Environmental System Research Institute, Inc., and members of the Department of Geography of UNC-Chapel Hill. The promotinal work of Doug Wilms, Art Rex, and Tink Moore (UNC-Charlotte) in obtaining the needed finances is especially appreciated.
