Extinction & modeling articles from March BLN meeting

In Conservation Biology volume 35, issue 1 (Feb. 2021) is an article titled Vascular plant extinction in the continental United States and Canada, by Wesley M. Knapp, Anne Frances, Reed Noss, Robert F. C. Naczi, Alan Weakley, George D. Gann, Bruce G. Baldwin, James Miller, Patrick McIntyre, Brent D. Mishler, Gerry Moore, Richard G. Olmstead,…

New paper: Population models for bog turtles

This paper in Animal Conservation, by Mike Knoerr, Anna Tutterow, Gabrielle Graeter, Shannon Pittman and Kyle Barrett, analyzes population growth rate estimates and management interventions for 5 NC bog turtle sites. When sharing the paper, Mike wrote, “… thank you all for your contributions to this paper… It’s built on the back of decades of…

New Paper: Eastern Box Turtles

Check out this new paper coauthored by BLN steering committee member Gabrielle Graeter, BLN member Ann Berry Somers and their colleagues. AbstractTurtles are in decline worldwide, and the magnitude and recent acceleration of population declines requires immediate action to inform conservation and management plans. Long‐term studies of population trends and characteristics covering multiple populations across…

An Overview of the Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation 2020

SePPCon 2020 was held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden from March 2-6, 2020. Pre-conference workshops were held in the Garden’s new Southeastern Center for Conservation, home to the Conservation Genetics and Micropropagation Laboratories. The workshops included training in IUCN Red Listing & NatureServe Ranking, Conservation Horticulture, and Seedbanking & Micropropagation.  Two keynote speakers set the…

An Update for Sandy Bottom Preserve

To view the full article by K. Chávez, Asheville Citizen Times, click here. Sandy Bottom wetlands to receive protection for ‘national ecological significance’ Karen Chávez, Asheville Citizen Times Published 5:00 a.m. ET Jan. 14, 2020 ASHEVILLE – Do the thousands of drivers who zip down N.C. 191 through Bent Creek each day know they are passing…

Protecting Photographs Prevents Poaching

In this day and age, social media absorbs just about everything and everyone. I mean, why wouldn’t it? It’s such a conveniently fast, educational, and artistic way to share ideas and information with others. Even within small circles of botanists, horticulturalists, conservationists, and plant enthusiasts alike, we all want to share our excitement and new…

Highlights from One 2019 Work & Learn Field Day

In order to improve land management skills and foster a sense of community among those involved in southern Appalachian bog conservation, the Bog Learning Network periodically hosts work days in area bogs. This May workday, at a site owned by the state of North Carolina, was dedicated to knocking back invasive plants that compete with…