Project Snapshots
Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance
Mountain Bog Restoration Georgia’s Pitcherplant Bog habitats are threatened by fire suppression, hydrologic alteration, pollution, invasive species, poaching, and habitat conversion. The GPCA has implemented numerous management, restoration, and research projects, including: Rx fire, woody control, hydrologic repair, safeguarding, and genetic and population studies. Two species benefitting greatly from GPCA’s efforts include the federallythreatened Swamp Pink (Helonias bullata) and federally-petitioned Mountain Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia montana).
Conservation Horticulture · Habitat Management & Restoration · Regulatory Oversight
Our Mission To study and conserve Georgia’s flora through multidisciplinary research, education, and advocacy; facilitate the recovery of rare, threatened, and endangered plants of Georgia and the southeast US through collaborative efforts in our state; support the development and implementation of the Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), as well as other plant, wildlife, and habitat conservation plans by member agencies and organizations; and communicate the importance of preserving biodiversity worldwide.
Our Members GPCA is a professional network of over 50 professional organizations including botanical gardens, state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, universities, utilities, and large land-owning companies who work together on statewide, and increasingly regional and national, plant conservation projects. GPCA's 55 members are located across the state.
GPCA Priority Species
An approved SWAP is required for a state agency to receive State Wildlife Grants, the main source of federal funding to conserve nongame animals and plants. It focuses on proactive conservation to keep species off the endangered list. GPCA assists in the 47.6% in-situ 80.6% ex-situ development of GA's SWAP, and develops its work plan directly from the SWAP’s list of high-priority species, habitats, and conservation actions. Of the 103 work plan species, GPCA holds 81% (83 species) in off-site (ex-situ) collections. Additionally, nearly 50% (49 species) are also safeguarded in-situ in protected sites.
Accomplishments
Georgia Aster CCA
Georgia Status of Priority Species
46 (44.6%) are critically imperiled globally (G1/G2).
81 (78.6%) are critically imperiled in GA (S1).
The GPCA supports the conservation of Georgia Aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) through successful safeguarding efforts in woodland habitats, as well as by supporting the development and implementation of the federal Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA). The CCA is a formal cooperative agreement among state, federal, NGO and private organizations for conserving Georgia aster populations rangewide.
Photo Credit: Rebecca Byrd, Atlanta Botanical Garden Photo Credit: Rebecca Byrd, Atlanta Botanical Garden
Dwarf Sumac Recovery
Photo Credit: State Botanical Garden of Georgia
As a result of its successes, and as the first state-based conservation network in the US, the GPCA has been invited to provide expertise to AL, AZ, CO, FL, HI, IN, KY, MS, NC, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, and WA.
GPCA members have contributed over $2.3 million in direct and indirect support for plant conservation in the state of Georgia since 1995. The GPCA was a driving force behind the creation of the Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation, which assembled expert opinions that led to the withdrawal of 10 plant species from petition for federal listing.
Awards In 2019, the GPCA was presented a National Environmental Excellence Award in the category of Ecosystem, Habitat, and Wildlife from the Federal Highway Administration . In 2019, the GPCA recieved an Honorable Mention for National Environmental Excellence in the category of Environmental Management, Stewardship, Conservation and/or Protection by the National Association of Environmental Professionals.
Photo credit: Alison Guillory, WABE 90.1 FM Photo Credit: State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Woodlands Restoration and Safeguarding
Photo Credit: State Botanical Garden of Georgia
In 2016, the GPCA was presented a national Special Recognition Award by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies for its “outstanding contributions” to Conservation. In 2013, GPCA won a Program Excellence Award from the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) for their innovation in forging partnerships and ability to apply science-based plant conservation and education projects outlined in the SWAP.
Dwarf Sumac (Rhus michauxii) almost winked out in Georgia. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants, and our all-male and all-female populations were separated by many miles. GPCA members tried delivering pollen from male plants to female plants and bringing males and females into cultivation and hand pollinating them, both with little success. It was only after female plants were transplanted alongside the males (in an elaborate Valentine’s Day introduction) that viable seed was produced. We now have Dwarf Sumac offspring for the first time in many decades.
Photo Credit: USDA Forest Service
The Woodland Restoration and Safeguarding program began with graduate thesis research in 1999 (UGA) and has continued to this day. The program focuses on rare plant species inhabiting rare woodland glades on unusual (amphibolite) geology. Competition from woody species and invasive species threaten this habitat and flora. Mechanical and chemical methods are utilized to open the habitat and control invasives. Rare plant species are outplanted into restored and managed habitat. The federally endangered Smooth Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata) has been reintroduced or augmented at six locations. These efforts have saved two populations from extirpation and have increased the numbers of plants by ten-fold at all sites. All sites are now recruiting on their own.