Mercer and Wesleyan volunteers weed out ‘fearsome five’ invasive species – – The Mercer Cluster

Collaborative Initiative to Combat Invasive Species and Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing Threats to Terrestrial Ecosystems

A collaborative program was organized on November 15 to address the critical threat of invasive plant species in the Wesleyan Arboretum, directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land). This initiative, co-organized by Birds Georgia and the Georgia Native Plant Society, engaged 15 students from Mercer University and Wesleyan College in a hands-on conservation effort.

Invasive plants pose a significant risk to local ecosystems by outcompeting native flora for essential resources, thereby disrupting ecological balance and contributing to biodiversity loss. This issue directly contravenes the objectives of SDG 15, which calls for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The program focused on mitigating these threats through direct action and education.

Educational Component and Sustainable Development Goal 4

The Fearsome Five Invasive Species Outreach Program served as an important educational platform, aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by equipping participants with knowledge and skills for sustainable development. The program focused on identifying and removing key invasive species common to Middle Georgia.

1. Nandina
2. Glossy Privet
3. English Ivy
4. Autumn Fern
5. Wisteria

Participants learned that many of these species, originating from East and Southeast Asia, are often sold commercially in home improvement stores, highlighting a systemic challenge in preventing the spread of invasive flora. The educational effort aimed to foster greater awareness and responsible environmental stewardship among the community.

Impact on Biodiversity and SDG 15: Life on Land

The 100-acre Wesleyan Arboretum is a vital local habitat, supporting hundreds of native trees, shrubs, and an estimated 150 bird species, as well as various reptiles and amphibians. The intrusion of non-native plants presents a direct threat to this biodiversity, making its management crucial for achieving SDG Target 15.5 (halt biodiversity loss).

• Wisteria: This aggressive vine can engulf and kill mature trees, destroying critical habitat structures.
• Glossy Privet: Widespread throughout the forest, this species requires significant effort, including the use of power tools, for removal.
• Nandina: This poisonous plant is often mistaken for the native beautyberry, a vital food source for local bird populations, illustrating the complex ecological damage caused by invasive species.

The removal of these species is a direct action to implement SDG Target 15.8, which calls for measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems.

Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Community Action

This initiative exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by bringing together multiple organizations to achieve a common environmental objective. The collaboration between academic institutions (Mercer University, Wesleyan College), non-profit conservation groups (Birds Georgia, Georgia Native Plant Society), and student volunteer organizations (MerServe) was instrumental to the program’s execution.

Project leaders emphasized that sustained community involvement is the most effective solution to managing invasive species. Future plans to formalize this engagement include:

• Establishing an “adopt-a-plot” system for the arboretum, allowing individuals and organizations to take long-term responsibility for maintaining specific areas.
• Conducting similar removal events on a regular basis to make a significant impact over time.

These efforts also contribute to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by preserving a valuable green space that enhances the well-being of the urban environment and its inhabitants.

Resource Management and Future Outlook

The long-term sustainability of the arboretum has been bolstered by a significant increase in its operational budget from $2,700 to $30,000 annually, reflecting a strengthened commitment from the Wesleyan College administration. This funding is critical for managing the land and continuing conservation efforts.

The primary objective for the future is to preserve the arboretum as a natural woodland and a sanctuary for native species. The focus remains on ecological restoration rather than aesthetics, ensuring that native flora and fauna can flourish. Continued volunteer support and strategic partnerships will be essential to protect this valuable ecological asset and advance the region’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • This goal is central to the article, which focuses on protecting a terrestrial ecosystem—the Wesleyan arboretum. The entire initiative described is about combating the threat of invasive plant species to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems… and halt biodiversity loss.” The article details how invasive plants like wisteria choke native trees and “negatively impact environmental wellness, wildlife and ‘nature’s balance’.”

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The article describes an educational event, the “Fearsome Five Invasive Species Outreach Program.” This program is a direct example of education for sustainable development, as it “taught 15 people from Mercer University and Wesleyan College how to remove invasive plant species.” Arboretum Director James Ferrari also “provided a lesson on the ‘fearsome five’,” enhancing the participants’ knowledge and practical skills for environmental stewardship.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The program’s success relies on collaboration between different organizations. The article explicitly states that “Birds Georgia and Georgia Native Plant Society co-organized a program” that brought together students and staff from “Mercer University and Wesleyan College.” This multi-stakeholder partnership between non-profits and academic institutions exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The 100-acre arboretum is a significant green space within the Macon community. Efforts to preserve it from invasive species and potential real estate development contribute to making the community more sustainable. The article notes the arboretum “provides a diverse habitat for Macon’s wildlife” and is an “attractive piece of real estate,” highlighting the importance of protecting such natural heritage and green public spaces within an urban or semi-urban context.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.

   • The article is a direct illustration of this target in action. The entire “Fearsome Five Invasive Species Outreach Program” is an effort to control and eradicate priority invasive species in the Wesleyan arboretum. The article names specific invasive plants being targeted, such as wisteria, nandina, glossy privet, and English ivy, which are choking out native flora.

2. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

   • The work described aims to halt the degradation of the arboretum habitat caused by invasive plants. By removing these species, the volunteers are working to protect the biodiversity that depends on this habitat, including “hundreds of native trees and shrubs,” as well as “reptiles, amphibians and the estimated 150 birds that live there.”

3. Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.

   • The program serves as a vehicle for this target. It provided a hands-on “lesson on the ‘fearsome five'” and taught participants “how to remove invasive plant species.” This equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to contribute to environmental protection and sustainable land management.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   • The collaboration detailed in the article is a model of this target. It is a civil society partnership between “Birds Georgia,” the “Georgia Native Plant Society,” and two educational institutions, “Mercer University and Wesleyan College.” The article highlights how they “join onto something that’s already happening” to achieve a common goal.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Number of participants in education for sustainable development programs

   • The article explicitly states that the program “taught 15 people from Mercer University and Wesleyan College.” This is a direct quantitative indicator of participation in environmental education.

2. Measures and actions taken to manage invasive alien species

   • The article describes several actions: the organization of the “Fearsome Five Invasive Species Outreach Program,” the physical removal of plants (“Rhoades sawed down a 12-foot glossy privet”), and the development of a long-term management strategy through the proposed “adopt-a-plot system.” These are all measurable actions.

3. Financial resources allocated to the conservation of biodiversity

   • A clear financial indicator is mentioned. The arboretum’s budget was increased from a mere “$2,700 per year” to a total of “$30,000,” signifying an increased institutional commitment to managing and protecting this natural space.

4. Number of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainability

   • The article identifies a specific partnership involving at least four distinct entities: Birds Georgia, Georgia Native Plant Society, Mercer University, and Wesleyan College. This serves as an indicator of collaborative efforts towards a shared environmental goal.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: mercercluster.com