Nature Conservancy Pitcher Plant Efforts Get Boost

Sarracenia Conservancy Pays For Controlled Burn and Other Protection Efforts

DURHAM — Oct. 3, 2009 — The Nature Conservancy is getting some help in its efforts to protect pitcher plants. The North American Sarracenia Conservancy (Sarracenia is the Latin name for pitcher plants) is helping improve habitat and protect pitcher plants at The Nature Conservancy’s Myrtle Head Savanna Preserve in Brunswick County.

The Sarracenia Conservancy’s head of conservation, Mark Todd, lives in Brunswick County. He recently visited Myrtle Head and presented the Nature Conservancy with a $1,500 check. The money will pay for a controlled burn at the site. The Sarracenia Conservancy is also purchasing a gate for the Myrtle Head Preserve and funding other measures that are designed to prevent plant poaching at it and other Nature Conservancy preserves in southeastern North Carolina.

Mark Todd hands Sara over of TNC a check

Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants featuring a deep cavity filled with liquid covered with a rolled leaf. Insects are attracted to the rolled leaf; they fall into the cavity and are unable to escape. The trapped insect becomes food for the plant.

Todd says his group likes to work with The Nature Conservancy because of its focus on habitat protection. “We want to protect pitcher plants,” he says. “But, that isn’t going to do any good unless we save their habitat.”

The Conservancy has protected more than 45,000 acres of habitat in Brunswick and Columbus Counties. Much of that property is prime habitat for carnivorous plants. Sara Over, who directs conservation efforts for The Nature Conservancy in southeastern North Carolina, says the Sarracenia Conservancy’s contributions are important. “This is a big help for us,” she says. “It is hard to find money for these kinds of specific needs.”

Over says in addition to the monetary contribution, Todd is also a valuable volunteer with The Nature Conservancy. “He is our eyes out in the preserve,” she explains. Todd spends a great deal of time helping The Nature Conservancy find and protect carnivorous plants. Several varieties of pitcher plants are found at Myrtle Head Savanna Preserve, including yellow pitcher Plants (Sarracenia flava) and purple pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea).

It is estimated that as much as 97 percent of North American pitcher plant habitat, which is largely in the southeastern United States, has been destroyed. Development and drainage of habitat have played a role in that loss. Fire suppression has also been crucial to degradation of pitcher plant habitat.

The North American Sarracenia Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the natural habitats and genetic diversity of the genus Sarracenia. Information about the Conservancy can be found at http://www.nasarracenia.org/

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.