Threatened and Endangered Plant Recovery

							U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Innovation in Conservation
FWS Effort in Georgia
to Protect Imperiled Plant Species
Botanical Diversity in Georgia
Few places in the Nation can boast more
about plant biodiversity than Georgia.
And it’s no secret why. Glacial ice never
crossed our state boundaries that stretch
from the sub-tropical climate on our
island-studded coast to the rugged
Appalachian mountains. For century-
upon-century complex landscape and
geology, sweeping fires, and other forces
provided a patchwork-quilt of habitats
for unique and rare plant species. In
Georgia, over 650 species of plants are
considered of “special concern,” 25 of
those species are protected by the
Endangered Species Act and 130 species
are protected by state wildlife protection
laws.
Conservation Through Research
■ Research on the endangered
  harperella (Ptilimnium nodosum) in
  2006-2007 completely re-interpreted
  this species life-history, leading to new
  implications for habitat requirements
  and management.
■   Genetic studies on the endangered
    fringed campion (Silene polypetala)                                                     ■   Prescribed burning on public and
    provides for scientifically-guided                                                          private lands through the Service-led
    management decisions for recovery, in                                                       initiative, the Interagency Burn
    cooperation with the University of                                                          Team, a cost-share agreement that
    Georgia.                                                                                    pools the resources of government
                                                                                                agencies, non-profit groups, and
■   Research on the global status of three                                                      volunteer organizations to re-
    granite outcrop plants (Amphianthus                                                         introduce the important dynamics of
    pusillus, Isoetes tegetiformans, I.                                                         fire into natural habitats.
    melanospora), in cooperation with
    The State Botanical Garden of                                                           ■   Georgia Field Office, in cooperation
    Georgia.                                                                                    with Georgia Department of
                                              Conservation Through Habitat Protection           Transportation, is leading a
■   In 2005-2006, Georgia Field Office        and Management                                    safeguarding effort for an imperiled
    discovered four, new-to-science           ■ Partners for Fish and Wildlife                  population of Georgia aster. A
    populations of endangered relict             Program funding to restore                     sensitive roadside population of the
    trillium (Trillium reliquum),                endangered species habitat, through            species will be relocated to a state
    endangered fringed campion, and              invasive plants removal and                    Wildlife Management Area, where it
    candidate-for-listing Georgia aster          replanting of native and endangered            can be appropriately managed and
    (Symphyotrichum georgianum).                 species, in cooperation with the Macon         remain self-sustaining.
                                                 Museum of Arts and Sciences.
■   Botanical research partnership, under                                                   Contact Information
    section 6 of the ESA, with Georgia        ■   To ensure the sustainability of a         Georgia Ecological Services
    Department of Natural Resources.              newly-discovered population of relict     Field Office: 706/613 9493
                                                  trillium, Georgia Field Office assisted
■   Propagation of endangered fringed             the USDA Forest Service in
    campion. To benefit the public, plants        modifying their Forest Management
    will be donated to Southeastern               Plan.
    botanical gardens.