On Tuesday March 15, 2022, several members of the SGI staff visited our partners at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia to plan for future work together on opportunities in land conservation and restoration, native plant research, and community building through volunteerism and ecological stewardship. The visit was a mix of strategic discussions, pleasant walks through the outdoors, and learning about research and restoration projects led by the Garden’s team.
SGI staff (clockwise from left) Dwayne Estes, Cooper Breeden, Marcello De Vitis, Layla Dunlap, Will Overbeck, Laura Hunt, Chip Morgan, Zach Irick, and Jodi Morgan gathered at the entrance for a group photo with our host Jennifer Ceska (center) of the Botanical Garden.
Botanical Garden Director Jenny Cruse-Sanders introduced us to the Garden’s conservation initiatives, which are integrated into their Public Service and Outreach focus, leading to an active role of the Science and Conservation program in native plant restoration across Georgia. Education plays a prominent role in each facet of their programming, especially where plant science can help inform the public in an integrated approach to ecosystem conservation. Conservation Research Professional Will Rogers as well as Science and Conservation Director Jim Affolter also participated in our discussion of future collaborations on the implementation of the Seeds of Success - Southeast, which will develop native plant seed collections for increased restoration capacity across ten southeast states.
Jenny Cruse-Sanders welcomed SGI to the State Botanical Gardens of Georgia.
Afterwards we explored a small Piedmont grassland remnant that was discovered under the power line corridor onsite. Within the Piedmont region, about 99% of original grasslands have disappeared due to land conversion and natural succession to closed canopy woodland, leaving the last remaining grassland sites in great need of immediate conservation.
Our host, Jennifer Ceska, shared with us the story of the grassland remnant found in the powerline rights-of-way at the Garden.
We ended the day by visiting the research greenhouses and propagation facilities. The propagation projects include rearing container grown plants for the native plant sale and also providing species for the Piedmont prairie restoration area that we had previously visited. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is currently involved in supporting graduate research for students conducting common garden experiments and other studies at their propagation facilities. Will Rogers has been facilitating this research as a mentor and collaborator, but also supporting on-the-ground work with his carpentry skills to build raised bed growing areas!
Will Rogers shared the Garden's research greenhouses and propagation facilities with SGI staff.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia lends the opportunity for immersion in nature; the pine woodlands surrounding the entrance of the Garden create a feeling of wonder in a characteristic southeastern ecosystem.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia and is a unit of Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia. It is a great destination for learning and provides resources for ecological restoration within the southeast. The landscape holds many gardens, each with a curator to oversee the growing collection and educational interpretation. Within the collections, the Dunson Native Flora Garden contains over 300 species native to the southeast. The Botanical Garden also contains five miles of walking trails in nature to explore Georgia’s native plant communities across various topographies and habitats.
The Southeastern Grasslands Initiative is proud to be partnered with the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and looks forward to visiting again soon!
Will Overbeck, Assistant Director Seeds of Success Southeast
Will is helping to grow the Seeds of Success Southeast Program by bringing interested people together for education, cooperation, and restoration.