MorPresented by Friends of Plant Conservation, NC Plant Conservation Program and partners US Fish & Wildlife Service, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, and The Nature Conservancy
Day One Wednesday evening, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cedar Mountain Community Center, Cedar Mountain (Transylvania County) NC
Jim Fowler – Beautiful & Unique Plants of Southern Bogs
An avowed wild orchid nerd, our featured speaker is the author of two books which showcase his talent as a photographer. Jim will talk about Southern Bogs and what makes them unique.
Rob Evans – An Enchanted Garden at Cedar Mountain Bog
The Plant Ecologist for the NC Plant Conservation Program, Rob has overseen the restoration of one of our most important Southern Appalachian Mountain bogs, declared “an enchanted garden” by Aleen Steinberg on her first sight of the bog some years ago. Rob will take us on the journey through which the bog was released from its’ tangle of Rhododendron and assorted encroaching plants which nearly destroyed the site, to the return of that magical place seen by Aleen.
Katherine Schlosser – Announcement of Cedar Mountain Conservation Fund
President of Friends of Plant Conservation and Chair of the NC Plant Conservation Board, an amateur and totally enthralled learner, Katherine introduces a new initiative.
Day Two Thursday morning, 9:30 am – 2:30 (with a possible short field trip to follow) Cedar Mountain Community Center, Cedar Mountain (Transylvania County) NC
Morning
9:30 – 10:00 Ed Schwartzman, Natural Heritage Program Southern Appalachian Bogs: Conservation Significance & Status
10:00 – 10:30 Dr. Chelcy Miniat. Project Leader, Southern Research Station, USFS How changes in forest composition affect water quantity, and inferring impacts on isolated mountain bogs
10:45-11:00 Dr. Jeff Wilcox, Professor, UNC Asheville Hydrology of mountain bogs in the southern Appalachians
11:15 – 11:30 Dr. Mara Alexander, Botanist, USFWS Rare & Endangered Pitcher Plants of NC’s mountains and their status
11:30 – 11:45 Dr. Rebecca Hale, Professor, UNC Asheville Pitcher Plants & Their Phytotelma Communities: do size and distance matter
Afternoon: Partnering to Protect our Unique Bogs
Presenters will each provide examples of their goals, their sites, their management plans (15 minutes each)
Karen Vaughn, The Nature Conservancy
Sarah Fraser, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy
Gary Peeples, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Michael Sweat, NC Forest Service
Rob Evans, NC Plant Conservation Program
2:30 Field Trip ($25)
A rare opportunity to visit a private site featuring rare plants. The owners have requested that the number be limited to 25, and that each of those 25 contribute at least $25.00 to the Cedar Mountain Bog Conservation Fund of the Friends of Plant Conservation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit this site. We will caravan to the site from the Cedar Mountain Community Center. Open only to registered participants.
Bring your lunch with you on Thursday or order one for $12.00 (just tell Nancy you would like to order a lunch – meat or vegetarian).
No fee to attend the Wednesday and Thursday programs, but you must register to reserve a seat:
Nancy Stewart: 919-707-3755 or Nancy.Stewart@ncagr.gov
Facebook: Friends of Plant Conservation
NCPCP: http://www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/plant/plantconserve/
NC Plant Conservation & Beyond: http://ncplantcon.blogspot.com/
Bog Learning Network 