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Kentucky Botanists Big Year 2020 Results

This was the second year KNPS hosted an iNaturalist Botanists Big Year for Kentucky. The Botanists Big Year is a friendly competition to observe as many different wild/naturalized plant species as possible in the state; it’s a great way to explore new natural areas, get to know your favorite nature preserves better, learn how to recognize hundreds of native species, and discover which ones are your favorites!

In 2020, 2,251 people made 17,919 research-grade observations of 1,298 species – way to go, Kentucky botanists! This year, John Abrams (@jabrams_foc) swept the #1 spot for both Most Species (374) and Most Observations (1,642).

^{A few of John Abrams’ observations from 2020 (top row): Field milkwort, Polygala sanguinea; Buxbaum’s sedge, Carex buxbaumii; Dwarf sundew, Drosera brevifolia; (bottom row) Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans; Soapwort gentian, Gentiana saponaria; and Ragged fringed orchid, Platanthera lacera.}

Prizes and certificates will be given to the top five participants in three categories:

Most Observed Species:

@jabrams_foc – 374
@nyssa_ogeche – 283
@kentuckybotanist – 241
@biomania – 207
@emwachter – 200

Most Observations:

@jabrams_foc – 1,642
@nyssa_ogeche – 414
@emwachter – 343
@robert1971 – 342
@kentuckybotanist – 338

MVP Identifiers – many thanks to the folks that helped us get so many observations to Research Grade!

@thomashulsey – 2,272
@jabrams_foc – 1,827
@davidenrique – 842
@melanielinkperez – 670
@polemoniaceae – 518

Since the inception of iNaturalist, 1,888 Research Grade plant species have been observed in Kentucky, but this does not represent the full extent of all plants known to occur in the state. In fact, there are several hundred of Kentucky’s plant species that have not yet been observed on iNat! Here are a few members of the state’s flora that made their “iNat debut” in 2020:

Buckley’s goldenrod, *Solidago buckleyi*, observed by @jeff85

Notably, 2020 was a banner year for rare twining vines of the Pea Family (Fabaceae). Two of the most botanically exciting finds from Kentucky iNatters were the discovery of new populations of Price’s potato-bean (Apios priceana) by @kentuckycourtenay in Warren County, and Cream ticktrefoil (Desmodium ochroleucum) by @frank-lyne in Logan County. Price’s potato-bean is a globally threatened species that is similar to the common and widespread American groundnut (Apios americana), but Price’s potato-bean has larger, pinkish to pale purple flowers, whereas American groundnut flowers are smaller and deep maroon:

Cream ticktrefoil is a globally rare species, which is most similar to Round-leaved ticktrefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium). Both plants have a trailing habit, but Cream ticktrefoil has cream-colored flowers and oval-shaped leaflets, while Round-leaved ticktrefoil has pink flowers with nearly orbicular leaflets.

What native species did Kentucky observe most frequently across the months of 2020? Mid to late winter was prime time for orchid spotting: the most photographed native in January was Downy rattlesnake plantain, Goodyera pubescens (photo by @emwachter) and in February, the Cranefly orchid, Tipularia discolor (photo by @natebutcher). Longer days and warmer soils brings everybody’s favorite: spring ephemerals! In March, the most observed species was the dainty Cutleaf toothwort, Cardamine concatenata (photo by @bereahome):

In both April and (appropriately enough) May, the umbrella-like foliage and discreetly hidden flowers of Mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum was the most observed native (photo by @sillydog). In June Sassafras, Sassafras albidum (photo by @dalton28) was the dominant observation. This is a common native tree and a great species to introduce to young kids, as the crushed leaves of Sassafras smell just like Froot Loops cereal! In the heat of July, many of us were admiring the charms of the ubiquitous Common selfheal, Prunella vulgaris (photo by @frank_lyne):

Late summer belonged to the eye-catching orange blossoms of Spotted jewelweed, Impatiens capensis (photo by @hwisniewski), the most observed plant for both August and September. In October, the dense berry clusters of Pokeweed, Phytolacca americana (photo by @ellemaac) took center stage. And in the final two months of the year, the friendly evergreen foliage of Christmas fern, Polystichum acrostichoides (photo by @asherhiggins91) was still there to greet us on woodland walks:

For the entire year, the plant species that Kentuckians observed most in 2020 were:

1. Common jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) – 236 observations

2. Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) – 225

3. Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) – 223

4. Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) – 219

5. Red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) – 214

Interested in participating in 2021? You can join us any time by heading over to the current Kentucky Botanists Big Year Project page and clicking “Join” at the top of the page!

Reflection on Land Conservation: Protection in Perpetuity

By Jody Thompson, Woods & Waters Land Trust

Care for the land transcends social, political and educational differences.

Throughout my career as a conservation professional, I have worked with many landowners—too many to keep up with, really—over the years. I take pride in that and consider myself fortunate to have worked with so many people who appreciate help expressing care for their land.

Through this, I learned many approach conservation differently. Many landowners want to play an active role in making habitat improvements. Others believe in a more preservationist approach of giving the land rest from human hands. Both approaches have their place, and even though they are different, they are rooted in the same goal of land conservation. Care for the land transcends social, political and educational differences.

Joining the work of Woods & Waters Land Trust now exposes me more to landowners with truly long-term conservation goals—protection in perpetuity.

^{Property of Keith Caye, Henry County, KY, conserved in perpetuity with a conservation easement.}
^{Photo by Ed Lawrence.}

To do this reliably—to ensure perpetuity of the forests and other lands that support our waters, wildlife and conservation lifestyles—private land protection must include legal protection, such as with a conservation easement. Whereas we want to believe our natural lands will always remain natural, it’s hard to ensure this. Land is sold every day for various reasons, and future owners, including our children, may not share our same land values.

Thankfully, a permanent conservation easement remains with the land and sets forth the allowed uses of the land. An easement held by Woods & Waters Land Trust, for example, is likely to state that forested areas must always remain forested and that future development, e.g., homes and other buildings, must be restricted to certain areas and well-defined.

Those who have completed the conservation easement process for their land have described a sense of relief and, in some cases, greater closeness than before. Connie May, a co-owner of a Woods & Waters Land Trust conservation easement property in Owen County, Kentucky, said she had an even greater connection to her land after permanent protection was in place.

Betty Beshoar described a duty to the world that she and Mark Roberts accomplished with their easement on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in Franklin County. And Don and Sylvia Coffey told us how their 43-acre easement in Shelby County laid the groundwork for how their land should influence future generations.

These landowners have accomplished something for the forests and wildlife. They’ve provided something for their children that keeps giving and ensured that an aspect of their well-being is protected for the long term.

Reasons for considering a conservation easement vary, and appropriately so. It can be protection for the land itself and the wildlife that call it home. It may be to ensure the land exists so others can learn from it and experience it. For others, protected lands are essential to mitigate the effects of nearby development and habitat loss.

Creating this kind of protection is a big decision. A survey, appraisal (if tax benefits are desired) and assessments can take time. Even with the firm belief that protecting rare plants, forests or family legacy is important, the process requires patience and a trusting partnership with the organization holding the easement. It’s common for misconceptions, like needing large acreage, having rare species present and the belief that they’re sharing ownership, to arise.

The first step to entering into a conservation easement is simply a desire to see natural lands remain natural. The second is the willingness to work with an organization dedicated to helping conserve the lands that are integral to our lives. Organizations like Woods & Waters Land Trust exist to help landowners through this process.

Land is more than an object to be analyzed and shaped. It’s personal, emotional, a home. The spring wildflowers, the trees, the rabbits, deer and songbirds are members of an inner community that together make up the land.

Protecting these places satisfies a visceral need that we have as part of the natural system. Because even with all the rapid, intense disturbance that occurs when humans expand, explore and live life, we are from the natural world. Conserving these natural places is essential to who we are and where we, as people, come from.

I’ve learned from getting to know landowners and listening to their stories that they understand they are part of something bigger than themselves. They’re playing the long game. And that’s a game I’m glad to have grown into.

It’s a beautiful experience to stand alone on a snow-covered streambank. It’s exciting to plan a new habitat improvement and know you’re shaping a better future for a natural space. It’s inspiring to walk in a wood that’s been cared for. But there’s a greater sense of peace on a land that is protected forever.

Article adapted from “Reflection on Land Conservation,” published at WoodsAndWatersTrust.org.

Jody Thompson is the Executive Director of Woods and Waters Land Trust, a non-profit organization that protects forests and streams in the lower Kentucky River watershed through conservation easements, education and encouraging sustainable land stewardship.

Hardiness Zones and Ecoregions

By Shannon Trimbolli, owner of Busy Bee Nursery and Consulting

Pick up almost any seed packet, read almost any gardening book, or attend almost any gardening class and you are likely to see a USDA plant hardiness map. The map was developed by the USDA and is based on the average minimum winter temperatures for an area. It divides the country into multiple zones with each zone representing a 10-degree temperature range. Each zone can then be further subdivided. So, for example, where I’m at in Kentucky is zone 6b with an average minimum winter temperature of between 0 and -5 degrees Fahrenheit.

_{The USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are based on the average minimum annual winter temperature. The zones were developed to help gardeners know what exotic, ornamental plants, vegetables, etc. would survive their winters. (Photo credit: USDA.)}

The goal of the plant hardiness zones is to help gardeners determine whether a plant will survive in their gardens. This is especially helpful for exotic ornamental plants, garden veggies, etc. because in garden settings you can presumably control how much water a plant gets, how much fertilizer it gets, etc. However, temperature is the key component that we can’t control and which plays a major role in whether a plant can survive in an area.

The idea of plant hardiness zones and their importance is so ingrained in us that it is common for gardeners to automatically mention what zone they are in when discussing a new plant with other gardeners. This is a good thing because it shows that people are recognizing that the same plant can’t grow in all locations and the person is being conscientious of the growing limitations for where they live. But plant hardiness zones also have their limitations, and one of those limitations is their usefulness for discussions around growing native plants.

Obviously, if a plant is native to a given area, then it can survive that location’s average minimum winter temperature. However, just because a plant can survive an average minimum winter temperature doesn’t mean that it is native everywhere that average minimum winter temperature is found.

For example, parts of New Mexico are in zone 6b, just like I am in Kentucky. However, when I drove through those areas of New Mexico a few years ago, I didn’t see any of my familiar Kentucky native plants naturally growing there. Yes, in controlled garden settings with supplemental watering, people in New Mexico might be able to grow some of the plants that are native to Kentucky, but in that type of situation the Kentucky native plants are being grown as an exotic ornamental plant. They no longer count as a native plant, because they aren’t native to New Mexico.

When it comes to native plants, plant hardiness zones aren’t much use, which makes sense because hardiness zones weren’t developed with native plants in mind. In the world of native plants, ecoregions are what we need to use instead of hardiness zones.

Continue reading →

KNPS Announces 2021 Research Grants for Students and Citizen Scientists!

Did you know that the Kentucky Native Plant Society offers small grants to help defer the costs of botanical research, inventory and native plant restoration? Since 2012, KNPS has awarded $8,100 to students working in these areas. Another $750 was awarded in prior years. The total number of grants awarded in any given year is based on the number of proposals received, the quality of proposals and available funding. The graph below shows the kinds of projects that have been funded.

The second type of grant is new and is open to anyone. It will fund

1. native plant inventory, or

2. rare and native plant restoration.

Native plant inventory grants are limited to Kentucky locations and successful applicants will receive a maximum of $250. Rare and native plant restoration grants are awarded to applicants working with native Kentucky plants, preferentially those which are globally rare (G1, G2). Successful applicants will be awarded a maximum of $500. All rare and native plant restoration grants require coordination with the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves (OKNP) and the Kentucky Native Plant Conservation Alliance coordinators prior to application.

A grant proposal must include:

A current curriculum vitae;
A proposal (not to exceed two single-spaced typed pages) describing the proposed research and the role the grant would play in the research;
An itemized budget;
A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s major professor or project director; and
Indicate whether the grant request is for a student research grant, a native plant inventory grant or a rare and native plant restoration grant.
If the grant is for rare and native plant restoration, include a letter of support from OKNP.

Budget items typically funded include travel to research sites and supplies such as herbarium paper and lab consumables. No personnel time will be funded.

All Grant Proposals are due by March 15, 2021.

If you are interested in applying for any of the KNPS grants, visit the Grants page at the KNPS website. If, after reading the grants page, you have any questions, please email them to: grants@knps.org.

President’s Message

Signs of spring first come in the darkest days of winter

Hello fellow plant enthusiasts! I hope everyone is doing OK in this New Year. While I have no profound words to offer to anyone about the state of our state, our country, our world, I can offer a mechanism of coping. I have often used the natural world as my escape and every time it pulls me out of whatever anxiety has taken hold. I’m sure many of you do this as well. I am beyond lucky and grateful to live and work in the natural areas of Kentucky through my profession of plant conservation and also my private life as a landowner. I enjoy daily walks to observe the passing of time as told by nature. Even in the darkest days of winter, there are signs of spring that show us a future of flowers.

2020 Recap

Despite the challenges of this past year and having to cancel many of our annual planned events/field trips/workshops/meetings, KNPS still accomplished the publication of our monthly online newsletter-the Lady Slipper. Let’s all give a big thanks to Susan Harkins and Nick Koenig for organizing this effort and all the authors of the great articles submitted from our friends, partners and colleagues about all things native plants. Many of us still had a big year of plant observations as seen through our Kentucky Botanist’s big Year 2020 on iNaturalist. In next month’s newsletter, the winners of most observed plants will be announced!

We joined Zoom and organized our first online fall meeting and Kentucky’s Botanical Symposium which was attended by over 120 engaged native plant enthusiasts. What a success! In case you missed it, recorded versions of the symposium talks will be available on our website, www.knps.org by the end of the month. Many of the talks highlighted current projects led by the plant conservation section at the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves (OKNP), Projects included the monitoring of rare plants and communities on Kentucky’s state nature preserves, the statewide grassland and pollinator habitat monitoring program, rare plant propagation projects, and recent interesting botanical discoveries. If anyone would like to get more involved in any of these efforts please reach out and join our emerging plant conservation alliance which focuses on conserving rare plants by increasing efforts through partnership.

The Kentucky Botanical Symposium, virtually.

A new year and planning

January has always been the month of planning for me. A time of resolutions, of planning projects and dreaming of which natural areas I will explore or what target plants I’ll be searching for in the coming field season. For KNPS, our board will be continuing with our strategic planning process this winter/spring through zoom meetings. We have decided to continue with postponing in person meetings at least through the first half of 2021 due to Covid restrictions but are planning some virtual events for our members and friends, more to come soon. But there are still many ways to contribute to our efforts and find opportunities to learn about native plants and get out in nature.

Opportunities

As always, reach out it you would like to get more involved in any of our committees, contribute to the newsletter, apply for one of our grants, would like to volunteer or partner with us on any of our ongoing projects or have any questions in general. And a special request to our partners who are organizing events involving native plants in 2021, please submit them to us so we can add them to our online native plant events/activities calendar.

For the Love of Kentucky’s Plants,

Tara Littlefield

Conserving the Monarch Butterfly in Kentucky

By Michaela Rogers, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

The iconic monarch butterfly, well known for its striking orange-enveloped wings contrasted by black venation, has become an insect of high intrigue across North America. The marathon-length migration the butterfly makes to Mexico to overwinter in the alpine oyamel fir forests inspires wonder and fascination. The biological mechanisms and evolutionary relevance of this journey have become the subject of scientific research, while first sighting of the adults, eggs and caterpillars each year draws excitement from community scientists who participate in observation recording.

Recently, the monarch butterfly has garnered even greater attention. News broke on December 15, 2020 that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) had come to a decision on the federal listing status of the monarch butterfly. The Service had been petitioned in 2014 to list the monarch as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Following comprehensive review of the current and future population status of the monarch butterfly, USFWS announced that listing the monarch as threatened or endangered is warranted, but precluded while higher priority listing actions are addressed.

This action results in the monarch becoming a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act. As a candidate species, the status of the monarch butterfly will now be reviewed yearly by USFWS scientists until a listing decision can be made. The monarch will likely stay in the national spotlight for years to come, during which time data collection will continue to assess the population and habitat created or improved for the butterfly.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources views the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision as an indication of the vulnerable status of the species and as affirmation in the need for continued conservation work for the monarch. Conservation of the species will require efforts throughout the monarch’s range. Here in the state, we are moving forward with work on monarch preservation. Kentucky not only supports the iconic migration of the monarch, but serves as breeding habitat within the butterfly’s range.

Kentucky embarked on creation of the Kentucky Monarch Conservation Plan in 2016 following a targeted national effort surrounding concerns of population-level decline. During this time, garden clubs, native plant groups, and other organizations were already making headway for monarchs in the state. Published in 2018, this plan guides current priorities for monarch conservation, and will continue to do so through potential future changes in the listing status of the butterfly. Kentucky is also a member state in the Mid-America Monarch Conservation Plan, allowing for collaboration with other states across the monarch’s midwestern range to increase habitat. Of primary concern is increasing the number of milkweed stems in the region, which provide the sole food source of monarch caterpillars.

Currently, stakeholders of the Monarch Plan are working to increase habitat, which includes both milkweed and native flowering plants (a source of nectar resources for adult butterflies) on the landscape. There are now 827 Monarch Waystations officially registered in Kentucky, and thousands of acres of habitat have been improved or added for the benefit of monarchs and other pollinators through the enhancement of private, public, and right-of-way land. A variety of educational events and outreach initiatives have been aimed at raising awareness for the monarch in the state, with several hundred monarchs tagged over the course of fall tagging events, over a thousand seed packets distributed, and presentations given in classrooms, during workshops, at club and professional meetings, and most recently, in virtual settings.

Conserving the monarch butterfly has been called an “all hands on deck” approach, with participation from the transportation and agricultural sectors, public agencies, non-government organizations, private businesses, and urban, suburban and rural environments all being important in support of such a widespread species.

Planting milkweed is one of the most important things you can do to help the monarch. If you don’t have a garden, you can aid instead by participating in community science initiatives that track monarchs along their migration route (visit monarchjointventure.org and journeynorth.org to learn about opportunities). Follow us on Facebook at “Kentucky Monarchs” as we share information and links related to monarch butterflies in Kentucky, and remember that no effort is too small to help conserve monarchs!

Michaela Rogers is an Environmental Scientist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. She serves as the Monarch and Pollinator Coordinator for the agency and manages implementation of the Kentucky Monarch Conservation Plan.

Native spotlight: Asclepias

By Susan Harkins

Thank you to Connie May, Jonathan Kubesch, and Nick Koenig for sharing their technical expertise on milkweed.

The monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus is now a candidate species for the Endangered Species Act. Habitat loss and pesticide use along their migratory routes are responsible for the decline of the monarch, but you can help by providing habitat in your own yard. You’ll need two things: nectar for the adults and milkweed (Asclepias) foliage for their caterpillars. By planting both milkweed and other native wildflowers, my yard turns into a five-star resort for not only monarchs, but other butterflies and moths, beneficial insects, and birds.

Plant a patch of native wildflowers to attract adult butterflies and milkweed for their offspring. The monarch caterpillars eat only Asclepias. Kentucky Asclepias species that easily make the move to home gardens are:

Asclepias incarnata	Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias tuberoses	Butterfly Weed
Asclepias verticillata	Whorled Milkweed
Asclepias viridis	Green Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca	Common Milkweed

By planting both milkweed and other native wildflowers, my yard turns into a five-star resort for not only monarchs, but other butterflies and moths, beneficial insects, and birds.Despite its common name, swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) will grow in most yards, though it will only reproduce reliably in wet spots. Be prepared to reseed or replant every few years to keep it going. Its deep-rose blooms are more spray-like than clusters and makes a stunning border for a larger area. It won’t spread to other areas, but it will fill in an area nicely.

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberoses) has the most spectacular color—bright orange. It’s a bit bushy, grows 2 to 3 feet, and likes a sunny spot. It looks lovely planted with rue. Butterfly weed is the most dependable for returning in the same spot each year, but it doesn’t spread quickly. The leaves are thin, and I find few eggs or caterpillars on them, but the adult butterflies and other beneficial insects feed on the blooms. Butterfly weed blooms persist longer into the late summer than other milkweeds. Plant a few for a bright pop of color or create a spectacular border. Once they’re established, they’re very dependable.

Plant whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) for fragrant blooms and interesting green foliage. It’s easy to establish from seedlings and like butterfly weed, whorled milkweed grows 2 to 3.

Of the five species reviewed, green milkweed (Asclepias. viridis) has proven the hardest for me to establish in a garden setting. It grows wild in every direction at my friend’s farm, so I keep trying. I encourage you to do so too because it’s so worth it! Its showy blooms are similar to common, but green, and the plants are shorter.

This article is about species that will work well in your home gardens. I don’t recommend that you plant common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) in your yard. I include it to be comprehensive, but it’s beautiful in a big field far enough away that it doesn’t breech your landscaped yard.

In bloom, common milkweed is gorgeous and fragrant. Plant enough to cut some of those showy dusty-rose clustering blooms to bring inside because the scent is seductive. It prefers a sunny, well-drained spot and can reach seven feet. It spreads aggressively and dislikes intensive management. To be happy, plant it and plan to leave it be, keeping in mind that the caterpillars will completely defoliate it—another reason not to put it in your yard.

There are other species native to Kentucky, but these listed have proven most successful for me. I encourage you to explore the other species and experiment! The more you know about milkweed, the more successful your efforts will be. Common, swamp, and butterfly are readily found in nurseries in the spring. Seeds for all can be purchased online and at nurseries.

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