Community in action:
Restoring Georgia’s native grasslands
By: Robin Hargett, communications student assistant
It was a chilly October morning when 17 volunteers joined the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at Oconee Veterans Park for a pine removal event. Led by conservation coordinator Jennifer Ceska and inspired by Mincy Moffett of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the group spent the day removing invasive pine seedlings, taking small but significant steps in restoring the park’s native grassland habitat.
The project to restore the site’s native grassland habitat is a partnership between the State Botanical Garden, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department. The event was part of a larger effort to reestablish Georgia’s grasslands, a once widespread and ecologically rich landscape that has declined rapidly over the past century. Grasslands are critical habitats that support pollinators, birds and other wildlife, and also improve soil health and water quality, said Ceska.
In many parts of Georgia, natural grasslands have been taken over by forests of loblolly and other pines that crowd out native grasses and wildflowers. Removing these invasive seedlings is a crucial step in restoring the ecosystem’s balance.
“It turned out that it’s a lot harder to pull these things up than we initially thought,” said Gary Crider, invasive plant control technician at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. “We were surprised at how locked-in they seem to be; that could be because the conditions have been so dry lately, locking the roots into the clay soil. Even though the seedlings are shallow-rooted, it’s tough work.”
Despite the physical challenge, volunteers were committed and enthusiastic throughout the morning. Working together, community members learned firsthand how small, coordinated efforts can make a meaningful difference in ecological restoration.
“The contribution from volunteers is going to be a huge help with labor-saving in terms of getting the pines out of here,” said Crider. “The other big part of this work is introducing the public to the concept and teaching them what needs to be done to create and preserve the grassland.”
This event captures the State Botanical Garden’s broader mission of conservation, education and community engagement. The garden regularly partners with local and state agencies to restore native habitats, from longleaf pine forests to piedmont prairies. By involving volunteers, these projects build awareness and foster stewardship for Georgia’s landscapes.
Ceska emphasized that this pine removal marks only the beginning of a long-term restoration process.
“One of the things we’re really looking forward to is planting and seeding high-performing native plants,” she said. “We call them keystone or workhorse species, grassland Piedmont prairie plants like those in the genus Monarda and Pycnanthemum (mountain mints), as well as asters, black-eyed susans and other showy, happy plants like blue mist.”
These native species will enhance the beauty of the grassland and provide essential food and habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
Through efforts like these, the State Botanical Garden and its partners are not only restoring an ecosystem but also helping the community reconnect with Georgia’s natural heritage.
For more information about the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and its conservation efforts, visit botgarden.uga.edu.
