December 1, 2005

PARKS DEPARTMENT'S PRAIRIE HELPS SAVE RARE FLOWER

The Natural Resources Division of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department is helping to preserve one of the rarest flowers in the world at McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road in southern Mecklenburg County. It is the Schweinitz's sunflower, a pretty yellow flower that blooms in the fall. This federally endangered species is found only within 75 miles of Charlotte; nowhere else in the world.

This week and next, the Schweinitz's and other rare species that were almost lost from our natural heritage will be transplanted to the Piedmont Prairie at McDowell Nature Preserve. These plants were recovered from abandoned agricultural fields. The natural resources staff harvested their seeds by hand and propagated them in greenhouses at McDowell. Now, the plants are mature enough to be planted in the natural environment.

These plants were once common in prairies that existed across the Piedmont of North Carolina. The prairies were home to herds of buffalo before the arrival of European settlers. The natural resources staff manages six remnant or restoration prairie sites in Mecklenburg County. The 150 acre prairie at McDowell Nature Preserve is the largest.

Using grants from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Carolina Plant Conservation Program, the Natural Resources Division designed a native plant propagation program designed to expand populations of these rare plants. In 2003, the first year of the program, 330 plants of 6 species were introduced to McDowell Prairie. Last year, another 653 plants of 12 species were added. This year, following expanded greenhouse operations and an excellent growing season, almost 3500 plants of more than 15 local species will be transplanted.

These plants have names like prairie dock, rattlesnake master, and beardtongue. They may not be as familiar to the public as sunflowers, asters, or coneflowers, but they are equally important components of a healthy Piedmont Prairie. The prairie ecosystem, once maintained by lightning fires, grazing bison, and by Native American agricultural and hunting practices, have been largely destroyed urban and suburban development. Their remnants persist today in isolated utility right-of-ways, railroad edges, and roadsides or in restoration sites like McDowell Prairie. The Division uses prescribed burns and mowing in the prairies to mimic the effects of fires and bison which historically held back encroachment by trees and other woody plants.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents are fortunate to have the unique and fascinating ecosystem of Piedmont Prairies remaining in the county. The prairies put on a display of color throughout the year and climax with shades of yellow, gold and crimson in the fall. They provide critical grassland habitat for wildlife such as American kestrel, loggerhead shrike, red fox, and Northern bobwhite. Also their plants filter air pollutants, store carbon that otherwise would contribute to global warming, and reduce erosion from storm water and other runoff.

The public can visit McDowell Prairie, as well as a similar prairie restoration at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, or join Division staff on one of their many environmental education programs that explore this important part of our natural heritage. For more information, call McDowell Nature Center at 704-588-5224.