October 3, 2022 Newsletter
The fall field season is in full swing and September was a very busy month for us. This month’s newsletter includes just a few of the many exciting activities that our team has been working on during September.
We’re hiring!
Applications are still open for our Southern Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator. This position will be based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The official job announcement can be found at: https://apsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/14324.
News and Announcements
Cooper Breeden (SGI Plant Conservation Manager) collaborated with a group of researchers, students, and botanists from the University of Memphis and Auburn University at a Coosa Valley prairie remnant to collect seeds, tissue samples, and data on the federally endangered Whorled Sunflower (Helianthus verticillatus). While there, he collected data on other rare plants including Riddell's Goldenrod (Oligoneuron riddellii).
Reed Noss (SGI Chief Science Advisor) attended the Natural Areas Conference in Duluth, Minnesota, Sept. 6-9. He discussed and answered questions about the recently-submitted report of the association's Science Advisory Committee (which he chairs) with the association's Board of Directors. The report is about the direction of the natural areas movement in the 21st century.
SGI volunteers built seed cleaning boxes and began assisting with cleaning seeds that have been collected for the SGI Native Seed Program. Two of our volunteers donated the lumber for the seed cleaning boxes.
Zach Wood (Georgia Grasslands Coordinator for SGI and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia) provided in-person and over the phone consultations with private landowners to help the private landowners promote and restore native grassland communities on their properties.
SGI is actively engaged in conservation and restoration efforts of the federally endangered Whorled Sunflower (Helianthus verticillatus) which is known from only 4 states.
Reed Noss (SGI Chief Science Advisor) led a workshop on Landscape Conservation Planning with the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and The Nature Conservancy in Spring Green, Wisconsin on Sept. 12.
Zach Irick (SGI’s Southern Appalachian Grasslands Ecologist) completed vegetation plot work at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Mammoth Cave National Park, and Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.
Cooper Breeden (SGI Plant Conservation Manager) collected seed from multiple species of plants for rare plant conservation and the Seeds of Success program.
Jodi Morgan (SGI Youth Outreach Coordinator) provided a pollinator program for a Heritage Girl Scout troop which helped the Scouts obtain their pollinator badge.
On Sept. 17, SGI hosted a Grassland Restoration Workshop for Private Landowners at the Wade Bourne Nature Center and Dunbar Cave State Park in Clarksville, TN. A light lunch and refreshments were provided by Forestry Suppliers.
SGI recently hosted a Grassland Restoration Workshop for Private Landowners.
Zach Wood (Georgia Grasslands Coordinator for SGI and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia) co-presented two booths at Insectival. One was focused on showing kids the interaction of insects and the native plants they depend on. The other was promoting the use of community science through iNaturalist to help locate grasslands in Georgia.
Cooper Breeden (SGI Plant Conservation Manager) and Marcello DeVitis (Director of SGI’s Seeds Program) consulted with a private landowner to plan seed introductions and collections in the private landowner’s restored native grassland community.
Laura Hunt (SGI Volunteer Coordinator) and her team of dedicated volunteers continued their work at the Dunbar Cave Grasslands and the Austin Peay State University Native Plant Teaching and Research Garden.
Zach Irick (SGI’s Southern Appalachian Grasslands Ecologist) led a restoration work day at the grassland that was planted last year by SGI and volunteers in Heritage Park, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Zach Wood and Will Rogers co-hosted two educational tables at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Insectival.
Zach Wood (Georgia Grasslands Coordinator for SGI and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia) met with FWS Partners to determine the next management actions and to identify priorities for the Park Creek Elementary School Restoration Project.
Marcello DeVitis (Director of SGI’s Seeds Program) attended the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Symposium in Gulf Shores, AL between Sept. 19 to 21 and presented a poster about SGI and our activities.
Cooper Breeden (SGI Plant Conservation Manager) joined the Tennessee Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Materials Advisory Committee and gave a presentation on the Tennessee Plant Conservation Alliance at their committee-wide meeting on Sept. 22.
Reed Noss (SGI Chief Science Advisor) presented a lecture on "The Conservation Significance of Southeastern Grasslands" to the Paynes Prairie Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society on Sept. 22 in Gainesville, Florida.
SGI co-hosted a public field day at the Dunbar Cave State Park Grasslands on Sept. 24. Six participants enjoyed a hike through the restoration site guided by Holly Taylor, TN Assistant State Naturalist. Participants were introduced to a variety of pollinators on the site.
Cooper Breeden (SGI Plant Conservation Manager) met with and discussed rare plant conservation projects with land managers.
Zach Wood (Georgia Grasslands Coordinator for SGI and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia) led a field day for graduate students at the University of Georgia - Athens that showcased re-creating grasslands, remnant grassland management, and how utilities can promote and maintain grasslands within rights-of-way.
SGI’s Seeds Program Director presented a poster about SGI and our activities at the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Symposium.
October Events
Oct. 3-6, 2022: Eastern Native Grasslands Symposium
Several members of the SGI team will be attending the Eastern Native Grasslands Symposium in Louisville, KY.
SGI Executive Director, Dwayne Estes will be presenting on Oct. 5 and 6.
We will also have a booth at the event.
Oct. 5: SGI’s 5th birthday!
Watch your email and our Facebook page for an exciting announcement and information about how we are celebrating.
Oct. 6-8: State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Native Plant Sale
Zach Wood (Georgia Grasslands Coordinator for SGI and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia) will be offering his expertise and assistance to customers at SBG’s 11th Annual Native Plant Sale.
Details about the sale and available plants can be found on the event’s webpage.
Oct. 8: Monthly Meeting of the North Georgia Mountains Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society
Zach Wood (Georgia Grasslands Coordinator for SGI and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia) will be giving a presentation on grasslands.
Oct. 12: New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL) Workshop: In the Field: Bridgestone Firestone Wildlife Management Area, Sparta, TN
Dwayne Estes (SGI Executive Director and co-founder) will be co-presenting this workshop with Larry Weaner, NDAL founder.
Find out more information and register at https://learning.ndal.org/courses/in-the-field-tn.
Registration deadline is Oct. 5.
Oct. 13: West Georgia Wildlife and Forestry Field Day
Zach Wood (Georgia Grasslands Coordinator for SGI and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia) will be giving a presentation on invasive plants.
Oct. 13-15: State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Native Plant Sale
Zach Wood (Georgia Grasslands Coordinator for SGI and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia) will be offering his expertise and assistance to customers at SBG’s 11th Annual Native Plant Sale.
Details about the sale and available plants can be found on the event’s webpage.
Multiple volunteer activities are planned throughout the month in the Clarksville / Nashville, TN area.
Please sign up for the Volunteer emails to find out more about these events.
Anytime: Georgia Grasslands Initiative Project
Help identify remnant grassland communities in Georgia, with a special emphasis in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests and nearby areas.