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Georgia Power recently teamed with The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance's Botanical Guardians to remove several invasive plants threatening the habitat of a rare and endangered plant.
Workers removed Chinese privet, a thick, semi-evergreen shrub, wisteria Japanese honeysuckle, and several other invasive species from an area near a transmission right of way near Goat Rock Dam. The area is home to Georgia rockcress (Arabis georgiana), a plant listed on Georgia's protected species list as threatened.
"We want to protect this plant and one way to protect it is by removing some of the invasive species that are threatening its habitat," said Jim Candler, environmental affairs team leader.
Georgia rockcress is a perennial herb that lives on rocky bluffs and slopes near watercourses. It can also be found near sandy, eroding riverbanks. The plants have been discovered growing in only a few counties in western Georgia.
In 2008, more than 100 Georgia rockcress were planted near a transmission right of way near Goat Rock Dam where a natural population already existed. The Georgia rockcress plants were planted in five areas around the transmission right of way. Since transmission rights of way are maintained to encourage low-growing herbaceous plants, some have been identified as safe havens for rare and endangered plants.
The removal of invasive plants is part of a larger, long-term habitat restoration project at Goat Rock. Work since last fall has included sowing more than 60,000 Georgia rockcress seeds and establishing plots to monitor Georgia rockcress population trends and the encroachment of invasive plants.
Volunteers used clippers and herbicide to remove and kill the invasive plants.
Invasive plants such as Chinese privet often develop large populations that can out- compete and displace native species, or can reduce wildlife food and habitat. Ecologists say invasive species are upsetting the balance of nature. Introduced species often find no natural enemies in their new habitat. They can spread quickly and easily. Foreign species introduced during the past century are pushing out native plants and animals at an alarming rate.
The State Botanical Garden, the Georgia Natural Heritage Program — part of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, and the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance — and a network of public gardens, government agencies and environmental organizations have been working together for several years to protect many of the state's endangered or threatened plants. Georgia Power joined the coalition after it was discovered that many of the state's largest and most diverse habitats were in transmission rights of way.
"Our goal is to work with partners to conserve and protect rare plants and their habitats," said Candler. "Our rights of way and other lands provide some of the best habitats for some rare plants in Georgia. It is appropriate for us to protect these sites where possible because it is another way for us to act on our motto – A Citizen Wherever We Serve."