Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority To Be Monitoring Site for Rare Plant
/The Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority is slated to be a monitoring site for the large-flowered skullcap, a rare plant that is found in the wild only in northwest Georgia and southeastern Tennessee. Representatives from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently meet with representatives from the Authority to establish a monitoring site and ensure the continued success of the plant. Below is an excerpt from a recent article from the DNR.
Photo courtesy of Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.
Surveys by Thomas have also uncovered other large-flowered skullcap populations and promising conservation partnerships in the region. A hardwood drainage owned by the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority and protected under a conservation easement features skullcap and lanceleaf trillium, a species DNR monitors.
Although the site is not open to the public, the authority is willing to do its part for the plants, suggested Assistant Executive Director Dirk Verhoeff. “Having the skullcap located within and adjacent to a wetland conservation easement will ensure the success of these colonies,” Verhoeff said. “In addition, our staff will be on the lookout for additional colonies for future conservation.”
Such partnerships could help large-flowered skullcap win its battle to not only survive, but thrive.
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