Get Ready for Something New:
Wetland Plant Management Workshop
April 6 & April 10

Did you know that invasive species threaten around 42% of U.S. Threatened and Endangered Species? Did you know that Aquatic invasive species cost the United States over $135 billion dollars annually due to environmental and economic harm?

Wetlands play many different roles in our environment, from filtering pollutants and controlling floods to providing nursery grounds and stopover locations for many valuable plant and animal species. Wetland plants are threatened by not only habitat loss, but also invasive plant species. This fun and educational workshop will prepare you to become involved in wetland conservation and restoration efforts.

 

Section 1: Plant ID 101 at Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC)
Henning Von Schmeling, CNC Operations Senior Director, will teach you how to identify some of the worst invasive species in Georgia and the effects they have on habitats—specifically throughout the metropolitan Atlanta area. You will learn in the classroom and at the CNC wetlands, where current control efforts are being used.

Section 2: Plant Propagation 101
After a lunch break, you will head to the greenhouse, where Henning and Lisa Cole, CNC horticulturalist, will teach you how to propagate common native wetland plants to recreate stable and diverse habitats where invasive species have been removed.

*** Henning is a carnivorous plant expert and an avid macro-photographer. He developed Georgia’s Living Wetland Exhibit and maintains safeguard populations of rare plants at CNC. As a member of Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, he has been instrumental in propagating and reintroducing rare and endangered native plants, such as the Alabama Leatherflower and Georgia Rockcress. Don’t miss this opportunity to soak up some of his amazing knowledge! ***

Section 3: Field Trip and Hands-on Removal Training at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
During this field trip to a local nature preserve, Walter Bland, Manager of Rock Spring Farm and curator of native grasses and wildflowers, will show you how to get down and dirty while removing privet and other common invasives found at the preserve. Dave Butler, Atlanta Audubon Society Conservation Chair and Dekalb County Greenspace Environment Manager, will join Walter to show you proper techniques, equipment and safety techniques, so that you will be able to use the training from this workshop on your own property or at other restoration efforts.

Workshop Fee

$100 for AAS and CNC members
$125 for non-members

Dates and Locations

Tuesday, April 6, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, GA
Saturday, April 10, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in Decatur, GA

Class size is limited and registration is required. Please contact Emily Toriani-Moura at 678-973-2437 or AtlantaAudubonEd@gmail.com.