Native Plants

A closeup shot of two hands holding a clump of dirt with plant roots in it. The person is leaning over close to the ground to hold the dirt, and rows of crops are visible behind them.

A new farming (re)generation
Mississippi Delta program encourages healthier soil, sustainable farms

A close-up of a sundew plant, which has several circular leaves on narrow stems. The leaves have spikes coming out in all directions, with the "dew" glistening on them.

State prepares conservation plan for next decade
Plants, habitat “corridors” added for first time

Two women stand at a table and hollow out squash. One wears a lanyard that says "Choctaw," while the other has a shirt that says "Love One Another."

More value than gold
UA digital seed bank helps preserve Choctaw heritage

Up in smoke
Auburn researcher studies connection between forest fires, greenhouse gasses

Two people in waders and high-visibility clothes stand on the bank of a large puddle in the middle of a forest. The sun is low on the horizon behind the hills.

An entire world in a puddle
Researchers study relationships between wetlands, microbes, greenhouse gasses

A gopher tortoise stares directly at the camera. It is sitting in sandy soil surrounded by small grasses, with some larger green plants visible in the background.

The tale of the tortoise and the pine
For two vanishing species, interdependence is crucial

The ghosts of grasslands past
Alabama prairie restoration protects disappearing ecosystems

An overhead shot, in which a brown river flows through the left side of the image, crossed diagonally by a road bridge. At the top center is the drinking-water intake plant, a series of pumps and buildings. The rest of the frame is trees.

Easement unease
Protection of land around Cahaba River critical to Birmingham drinking water

A collection of ginseng roots drying on a piece of cardboard.

Tradition under threat
Wild ginseng’s popularity leads to worrying population declines

Two blooms of Rollins' wild ginger showing a jug shape, with three dark petals.

Lucky find
Unconventional plant discovery points to biodiversity right under our noses

Preserving Alabama’s hemlocks
Invasive pests threaten an ancient tree species

Endangered legacy
Natural Heritage Program provides data for conservation efforts across state, region