The Georgia Botanical Society encourages research, conservation, and education focusing on native flora throughout the state. The primary goal of the Maureen Donohue Habitat Conservation Fund is to fund efforts to conserve rare and threatened native plant habitat in the State of Georgia, primarily through purchasing or assisting with the purchase of potential public conservation lands, but also with additional projects and activities considered as outlined below.

Please note: We are not taking applications at this time.

 

Criteria for Application

I. Eligibility
Preference will be given to applicants with a demonstrated commitment to conservation of native plant species and their habitat. For purchase of potential public conservation lands, preference will be given to applicants with experience and capacity to manage the conserved area.

II. Geographical range
The purchase or project must take place in the State of Georgia, or primarily in the State of Georgia.

III. Projects Funded
Projects related to the conservation of native plants will be considered, including:
a) to fund the purchase, or assist with the purchase, of potential public conservation land that is the habitat for rare or threatened native plant species;
b) control and eradication of exotic animals and plants on conservation land holdings that impact rare, threatened and endangered and special concern species.
c) fund conservation efforts to protect rare, threatened and endangered plant species.
d) assist in the acquisition or protection of rare plant associations and plant habitats
(cedar glades, granitic outcrops, longleaf pine savannahs, calcareous flatwoods, others).

IV. Amount of Award
The maximum financial assistance provided by the Fund is $10,000. Co-funding is possible and encouraged. Applications for budgets under $10,000 are encouraged. Applicants are asked to provide a copy of the co-funding agreements with other organizations, if applicable.

V. Application Process and Deadlines
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. The Committee meets quarterly to review applications. To be mindful of applicants’ limited resources and ensure those resources can be fully devoted to their mission, the Committee will accept applications provided to other organizations, as long as the application provides all of the information requested in the document.

Click here to download the application information document.

Responsibilities of Award Recipients

1. Please provide a simple report within one year documenting progress and results achieved.
2. Award recipients are encouraged to provide photographs and updates for publication in the Georgia Botanical Society newsletter.
3. Award recipients are encouraged to lead or assist in the coordination of a field trip to the purchase/project site(s) for members of the Society.
4. Award recipients are encouraged to submit any data collected on Georgia’s rare plants and natural communities to the Wildlife Conservation Division Biotics database maintained by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Program in Social Circle, Georgia.