Mountain bog restoration has been happening in Georgia for over 25 years through the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance (GPCA).  Our association with the BLN has brought fresh ideas and new faces to our work.  We are all the stronger for it.

J. Mincy Moffett, Jr.,  Ph.D.
Botanist, Nongame Conservation
Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Resources Division

 

While attending the BLN work and learn days I was able to meet other natural resource managers and learn first-hand specific techniques for invasive plant management in bogs. 

Mamie Colburn,
Friends of North Carolina Plant Conservation Program

 

The Bog Learning Network’s work days have been incredibly beneficial to The Nature Conservancy’s Shady Valley, Tennessee program.  Our local preserve staff learned new and more efficient herbicide application techniques, and we had our most productive multiflora rose eradication day ever, thanks to our BLN friends who showed up to help!

Gabby Lynch, Director of Protection
The Nature Conservancy – Tennessee

 

Without the BLN, we would not have undertaken hands-on bog management.  The BLN concept of “no regrets” management decisions opened the way for us.  The work days that we have hosted have done two things: 1. Significantly increase our capacity; and 2. Provide feedback from partners that have confirmed that we’re on the right track.  Peer approval is contagious.  

Work days and other collaborative discussions, particularly field visits to other bogs.  It’s hard to beat the annual meeting – it’s a highlight of the year for us.  We would be nowhere without the BLN work days.  It has been extremely gratifying to have so many talented people willing to lend a hand on our sites. 

Marshall Ellis, Mountain Region Biologist (retired)
North Carolina Division of State Parks

 

The 2016 BLN meeting was my first.  It was great opportunity to see what other folks are doing in the field and to gain feedback about the work I’m doing with bog turtles.  My research is better for it!

Mike Knoerr, Graduate Student – Bog Turtle Ecology
Clemson University

 

 

I did not know much about bogs and I had not seen the variety until participating with the Bog Learning Network. Seeing the different management/restoration that it taking place in the other bogs has help by provide insight on some of the thing we are doing in Shady Valley.  Attending the annual meeting is the main interaction I have been involved with. I was able to participate in one of the workday’s in Shady Valley and it was very helpful to meet and network.  I derive the most benefit from the website showing the different pictures and bogs and the work that is taking place. The annual meetings are also very beneficial.

Todd Reed, Area Resource Conservationist
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service