SGI’s Programmatic Philosophies
The Southeastern Grasslands Institute’s programs have grown exponentially over the years. Our programs are synergistic, complementary and generative. The collaborative nature of all programs is critical in accomplishing our mission to save the forgotten grasslands of the Southeast.
Our research program works on grassland topics that relate to all other programs - seeds, history, restoration ecology, and new species descriptions.
Our restoration program works closely with our seed program to identify and seed bank important and rare plant populations, and to reintroduce populations during the restoration process.
Our community engagement program supports the work of the restoration and seed programs with volunteer support and enthusiasm.
Our Tribal program staff not only serve as liaisons for Tribal nations and landowners, but provide cultural consultation and education to SGI staff and partners during restoration, research, community engagement, and seed saving work. Tribal staff are integrated into our programs as not only Tribal Liaisons, but conservation professionals.
Our historical mapping program interfaces with all SGI programs to use maps and visuals to tell the stories of historic and modern day grasslands, and the current work of SGI staff.
Scroll to learn more about some of our program-specific, science-based philosophies that guide our work to conserve, protect, and restore grasslands in the southeast.
Burn Philosophy
SGI strives to conduct prescribed fire in a way that best mimics the historical natural and cultural fire of a given ecosystem (consider seasonality and intensity). For example, SGI recommends the majority of our burns in the midsouth are conducted in the late growing season through winter (Aug-Feb). Research shows us that across the last 500 years very little fire historically occurred outside that window in the mid-south. Prescribed fire use takes into consideration many site-specific ecoregional and ecosystem factors. To read our full philosophy, click here.
Data Sharing Philosophy
SGI operates under official agreements and understandings with federal, state, and local entities regarding sharing of collected data. These agreements tend to include guidelines on how and when to share information about federally endangered and threatened species, critically imperiled species, and species that are susceptible to poaching. In the digital age, species are increasingly at risk if their locations are shared on certain platforms. To read our full philosophy on at-risk species data sharing, click here.
herbicide philosophy
SGI practices safe and targeted use of herbicides to control unwanted and/or invasive species on our restoration or preservation properties. When herbicides are used under the guidelines of the USDA labeling, they can provide extremely beneficial ecological impacts for the sites that we strive to protect. It is our practice to use herbicides in a way that maximizes the beneficial ecological impacts while minimizing the negative impact to native flora or fauna. Our goal is to use the most targeted means of herbicide application the site allows for. To learn more about our philosophy, click here.
Native Plant Materials Philosophy
At SGI, we recognize native plants to be a critical natural resource for the health and functioning of all ecosystems; they play a fundamental role in sustaining all lives on Earth and need conservation action and wise management to counteract species loss, ecosystem degradation, and for the purpose of native plant materials development for restoration.
We embrace the vision of the US National Seed Strategy “the right seed in the right place at the right time” (see Oldfield and Olwell 2015; Oldfield 2019).
To learn more and read our complete philosophy, please click here.
Mowing Philosophy
SGI practices mowing as a restoration technique on our restoration or preservation properties. However, mowing is considered as a “last resort” tool. We want to use mowing in a way that maximizes the beneficial ecological impacts while minimizing the negative impact to native flora or fauna. To learn more about our mowing philosophy, click here.
