Plants all over the world are endangered for many different reasons. In Georgia, there are five main threats to our vulnerable plants: Fire suppression, loss of habitat, habitat degradation, pests and disease and invasive plants.
There are many ways that you can help. The following are only a few suggestions:
Fire suppression
- Help educate people about “good fires” and the critical role they play in strengthening certain ecosystems.
- Write to the Georgia Forestry Commission, supporting the work they do with prescribed fires.
- Contact the Georgia Forestry Commission about doing a prescribed fire on your own land.
Invasive weeds
- Educate yourself about which plants are invasive
- Many government and conservation organizations provide opportunities for volunteers to help eradicate invasive plants. Volunteer for one of these.
- Remove invasive weeds from your own property.
- Petition your local nursery or national chain to quit selling ANY invasive plants.
Pests and Disease
- Financially support organizations which are safeguarding species through conservation collections and carefully monitored replanting.
- Become a trained volunteer to treat hemlocks to combat the wooly adelgid.
- Educate yourself and others about how to prevent the spread of pests and disease in wilderness areas.
- Financially support research to find an effective way to treat torreya fungus.
Habitat Loss
- Volunteer with an organization that performs plant rescue.
- Support organizations that purchase and protect lands through conservation easements.
- Write letters, make phone calls, and sign petitions for stronger laws protecting wetlands.
Habitat Degradation
- Volunteer with an organization to identify and protect endangered plants in private lands, parks, and state forests.
- Advocate for clean air and water.
- Plant more pollinator plants.
The following organizations are listed because they: offer opportunities for volunteering, welcome donations to continue their work, suggest ways to advocate for the environment or provide information about plant conservation, particularly Georgia’s endangered plant species.
The Nature Conservancy. http://www.nature.org
Southeastern Plant Conservation Alliance http://www.se-pca.org
Southern Environmental Law http://www.southernenvironment.org
Atlanta Botanical Gardens. http://www.atlantabg.org
Nature Serve. http://www.natureserve.org
Chattahoochee Nature Center. http://www.chattahoocheenaturecenter.org
Georgia Biodiversity Data Portal http://www.georgiabiodiversity.org
Georgia Department of Natural Resources http://www.gadnr.org
Georgia Wildlife Resources Division http://www.georgiawildlife.com
Georgia Exotic Pest Council http://www.gaeppc.org
Georgia Forest Watch http://www.gafw.org
Georgia Forestry Commission https://gatrees.org
Georgia Native Plant Society. http://www.gnps.org
Georgia Southern Botanical Garden http://www.academics.georgiasouthern.edu
Georgia State University Perimeter College Native Plant Garden. http://www.sites.gsu.edu/pcnativegarden.edu
State Botanical Gardens of Georgia http://www.botgarden.uga.edu
Center for Plant Conservation http://www.saveplants.org
Southeastern Grasslands Initiative. http://www.segrasslands.org
Environment Sandy Springs. http://www.environment-sandysprings.org
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org
Sierra Club. http://www.sierraclub.org
Longleaf Alliance. http://www.longleafallliance.org