Special Project Awards
The mission of the Georgia Native Plant Society is "To promote the stewardship and conservation of Georgia's native plants and their habitats through education and with the involvement of individuals and organizations." In support of that mission, the GNPS has donated money to projects and individuals for many years. Donations to individuals are in the form of symposium/conference scholarships. Donations to projects include grants for research and money to help fund the publication of books and other educational materials about native plants.
During the last half of each year, the Finance Committee determines if GNPS has excess funds available to award to other organizations that share and support GNPS mission. The Finance Committee recommends a total amount for awards and the Board of Directors decides which organizations will receive these gifts as well as the amount awarded to each organization.
The Board of Directors decided that a total of $12,400 could be awarded. After considering two proposals, the board voted to contribute equal gifts of $6,200 to both the Georgia Natural Heritage Program and the predator beetle rearing lab at North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU).
Georgia Natural Heritage Program
The Board of Directors voted to award the Georgia Department of Natural Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) Nongame Conservation (NCS) Natural Heritage Program (GNHP) in recognition of this program’s outstanding work in conserving Georgia’s rare native plants and education on natural environments and habitats. The Natural Heritage Program has a broad conservation impact across the state.
The awarded funds will be put to the best possible use in the areas of most need for the Natural Heritage Program whether that be in conserving Georgia’s natural habitats, conducting rare plants surveys, supporting GNHP’s education program, or performing other critical work. The Georgia Native Plant Society frequently works with Tom Patrick who has donated his time and talent as a speaker and educator to GNPS on numerous occasions.
DNR/Wildlife Resources Division/Nongame Conservation Section receives no state appropriations. It depends on grants, fundraising, and donations to conserve Georgia’s rare native plants, natural habitats, and nongame wildlife. Other primary fundraising sources are the nongame wildlife license plates, the ‘Give Wildlife a Chance’ state income tax check-off and Weekend for Wildlife.
GNPS recognizes the Georgia Natural Heritage Program’s responsibility for protecting endangered and threatened plants in Georgia; as a first line of defense in protecting and conserving Georgia’s native plants, and restoring endangered habitats; for their development of protocols to restore endangered habitats; and land acquisition for conservation, partnering with other conservancy organizations.
Predator Beetle Rearing Lab
The Board of Directors also voted to award the NGCSU predator beetle lab for their program of research and frontline defense against the hemlock wooly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), an invasive aphid-like insect that is devastating Eastern and Carolina hemlocks.
The NGCSU lab, established in 2007, mass rears and releases USDA approved predator beetles that feed exclusively on the hemlock wooly adelgid pest. The Sasajiscymnus tsugae beetle has been reared for several years, and in 2010 the lab added another predator –- Scymnus sinuanodulus. This species will be added to releases in 2011.
The aim of the NGCSU lab is to release beetles into threatened hemlock forests and evaluate the success of these releases. Their work is in cooperation with other academic institutions in the region that are rearing a variety of predators to guarantee a year round fight against the adelgid.
In addition to establishing predator beetle populations to help prevent the wooly adelgid damage to the hemlock trees, the lab conducts research into the unique environmental conditions in Georgia that promote trends that vary from those seen north of here. The gift from GNPS will be used for lab equipment and outdoor measuring units, and to fund travel to research sites.
UPDATE 03/07/2011: Beetle lab gets truck, equipment with recent donations.
The Board of Directors decided that a total of $25,000 could be awarded. It was decided, after careful consideration of several opportunities, to fund the two organizations listed below. Both opportunities fund not just land conservation, but also habitat conservation for some unique native plant communities.
The Nature Conservancy' Black's Bluff Preserve in Floyd County - $20,000
Wolf Creek Preservation in Grady County - $5,000The GNPS Board hopes that you will take this opportunity to consider making a personal donation to these land conservation projects as well. Your gift in addition to the GNPS gift will magnify our impact, helping to ensure that these unique environments stay protected.
UPDATE 07/01/2009: A recent update from Dan Miller, Wolf Creek Project Coordinator: "The closing on the Wolf Creek Tract was concluded today, Monday 6/15/09!!!!!! The tract was conveyed to Grady Co. with deed restrictions that prohibit, in perpetuity, any activity detrimental to the unique natural assets of the property. Tall Timbers will monitor the property for the first few years. We appreciate all your help and donation. Please convey to The GA NPS organization and members the good news. We hope to see you and them at Wolf Creek in the future."
The Board of Directors decided that $5,000 would be awarded to Georgia Perimeter College Native Plant Botanical Garden for a wildflower garden dedicated to Jeane Reeves.