Heller's blazing star is restricted to fewer than a dozen sites in the Appalachian highlands. These plants have always been rare and with proper stewardship they will survive for future generations to enjoy. Some other plants have become rare through loss of habitat or exploitation. These plants need our commitment to protection and habitat restoration to prevent their disappearance. Rare plants are an important part of the natural and cultural heritage of the south and it is important to conserve them in order to maintain the legacy of this land.
Southern forests are also home to a broad assortment of exotic plant species.
Some are harmless, or even beneficial, but many are destructive and costly. Kudzu alone costs southern timber growers millions of dollars in lost production every year. Other species crowd out native plants, degrade habitat for game birds and animals, and some are human health hazards. The Southern Region made a commitment in 1999 in its Regional Noxious Weed Strategy to take a stand on the invasive, exotic plant issue. We are working hard to improve the landscape through our management practices so that we can all enjoy and benefit from more natural and productive ecosystems.