By james art On Tuesday, Lei Zhang, a 58-year-old candidate for Forsyth’s soil and water conservation district manager, shared his goals and vision for the city in an interview with the Journal’s climate and environment reporter Chewon Chung.
Zhang, 58, a physics professor at Winston-Salem State University, is running against Edward Jones. Jones did not respond to the newspaper’s individual questions. Instead, he claimed to have been in a coma for eight years and applied for the role of “telling the world about God.”
The newspaper was unable to verify Jones’ claim that he was in a coma.
How long have you lived in Forsyth County?
I have lived in Forsyth County for over 19 years.
What role have you played in local community organizations or initiatives focused on environmental issues or soil and water conservation?
I was a board member of the Piedmont Environmental Alliance (PEA) from 2015 to 2019, a board member and treasurer of YadkinRiver Keeper Inc. from 2010 to 2017, a member of the Winston-Salem Sustainability Advisory Board from 2013 to 2017, and I am currently a board member of the Forsyth County Agricultural Advisory Board.
What inspired you to apply for the Forsyth Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor position?
I am inspired by a commitment to environmental protection, a desire to improve local water and soil quality, and a passion for sustainable agriculture.
What unique qualifications do you bring to this position that set you apart from other applicants?
My history of involvement in local initiatives or volunteer work can demonstrate commitment to the community and effective communication skills. My computer and project management skills can assist in the development and implementation of effective conservation strategies. My experience in environmental advocacy or leadership roles in community organizations can demonstrate the candidate’s ability to inspire and mobilize others.
What do you think are the most pressing soil and water conservation issues facing Forsyth County today? How do you plan to deal with them?
Soil erosion, urban runoff, water quality degradation and public awareness.
Addressing these issues will require collaboration with local stakeholders, government agencies and community members to implement effective solutions and foster a culture of conservation.
What specific conservation practices or programs do you think are most effective in protecting soil and water resources in Forsyth County? What new strategies do you offer?
Effective conservation practices and programs could include growing cover crops and creating vegetated buffer zones, nutrient management plans, rainwater harvesting, and education and outreach.
In the past, you have been critical of critical race theory and what you have called “woke” influences. Does this affect the goals you want to achieve in soil and water conservation?
In my opinion, everyone wants clean water and healthy soil, and everyone has a right to participate in protecting the environment, especially for those who are often left out of decision-making processes. Also, integrating environmentalism into school curricula, informed by interdisciplinary approaches, can foster a new generation of conservationists who understand both environmental science and social justice.
What are your ideas for securing funding and resources for conservation projects in Forsyth County?
Strategies for securing funding and resources for conservation projects: grant applications, partnerships with local businesses, community fundraising events, public-private partnerships, educational programs, sponsorship opportunities, leveraging volunteer labor and local support government.
By combining these strategies, the Forsyth Soil and Water Conservation District is able to build a diverse funding base that supports sustainable conservation projects and initiatives in the county.
How do you plan to prioritize and effectively allocate resources to meet the most urgent soil and water conservation needs?
I will take the following steps: Conduct a comprehensive assessment, involve local stakeholders, use data gathered from assessments and community feedback to identify high-impact areas where resources can make the most difference.
Prioritizing projects based on their potential to improve water quality and soil health will maximize effectiveness, develop clear objectives, prioritize collaborative projects, flexible resource allocation, align resource allocation with identified opportunities for funding, investing in education and training programs and implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of conservation initiatives.
Chaewon Chung covers climate change and the environment in the Triad and Northwestern North Carolina. Her work was funded by a grant from the Green South Foundation and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.