The Southeastern Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need (RSGCN) list is the first of its kind in the U.S. The Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG) coordinated the creation of this list, on behalf of the Southeastern Plant Conservation Alliance (SE PCA), by working with experts across the region. Project partners include the NatureServe Network, Terwilliger Consulting, Inc., Flora of the Southeastern United States, and the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) Wildlife Diversity Committee.
The Southeastern Plants RSGCN list presents species of conservation concern with regional responsibility and opportunity for collaboration, identifies high level threats and needs, and sets actionable priorities for rare plants across political boundaries. This project is moving the dial forward for plant conservation at the regional and national levels by highlighting the critical role of plants in the face of our changing climate and integrating these activities with broader efforts to conserve wildlife. Identification of ecological systems will inform potential Conservation Opportunity Areas that can be addressed by State & Tribal Wildlife plans and Grants, as well as future iterations of the Southeastern animal RSGCN. These tools will promote more holistic conservation and set the stage for more inclusive and comprehensive and effective landscape conservation.
Emily Coffey, Ph.D.
Vice President
Conservation and Research, Atlanta Botanical Garden
Dr. Coffey joined Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2017 to lead a team of scientists and conservation horticulturists at the Garden’s Southeastern Center for Conservation, oversee research and conservation activities for rare plants, and develop regional and international conservation initiatives for species and ecosystems. Dr. Coffey is Co-chair of the Southeastern Plant Conservation Alliance (SE PCA). She also has broad botanical knowledge and experience with ex situ and in situ conservation, restoration and community ecology, as well as biogeography.
Carrie Radcliffe, M.S.
Conservation Partnerships Manager
Southeastern Plant Conservation Alliance and Atlanta Botanical Garden
Radcliffe supports partnerships, facilitates cooperative planning, and manages collaborative habitat and species projects with the Garden’s Southeastern Center for Conservation. She also serves as the Mountain Bog safeguarding project Coordinator for the Georgia PCA, Chair for Southern Blue Ridge Bog Learning Network, and a Steering team member for the Piedmont Prairie Partnership. Carrie coordinated the 2016 & 2020 Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation (SePPCon) conferences and is Co-chair for the Southeastern Plant Conservation Alliance.
Sarah Norris, M.S.
Conservation Partnerships Assistant
Southeastern Plant Conservation Alliance and Atlanta Botanical Garden
With a background in community ecology, environmental science, and conservation, Norris uses her experience facilitating conservation activities to support the Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Southeastern Plant Conservation Alliance. This role leverages her experience with academic and research program coordination to support the SE PCA and the development of the first Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need list for imperiled plants.
Join the people who protect and manage our natural areas.