Land Acquisitions Key for Rare Plants, Animals
Georgia DNR and the Open Space Institute announced two significant land acquisitions in southeast Georgia today.
One property secures critical habitat for the restoration of rare species, including one of the state’s rarest plants, hairy rattleweed, and Georgia’s state reptile, the gopher tortoise. The other tract will be part of Moody Forest Wildlife Management Area and help protect key wildlife habitats along the Altamaha River.
Totaling some 1,933 acres, the properties consist of the 1,666-acre Hairy Rattleweed Protection Tract in Wayne and Brantley counties, and the 267-acre Altamaha River Forestland Protection Property in Appling County.
The former has the largest documented population of hairy rattleweed, federally listed as endangered and known to exist worldwide only in these two Georgia counties. The latter adds to Moody Forest, contributing to a 183,500-acre corridor of conservation lands along the Altamaha.
Read more about these acquisitions and the partners who made them happen.
