Conserving Tennessee's rare and endangered plants

A healthy ecosystem is a diverse one, and plants are critical to maintaining that diversity.

For rare and endangered plants in Middle Tennessee, conservation can be challenging to manage. Native species often struggle to keep pace with invasive plants, and continuing development threatens to reduce green space.

This hour we go on a hike in search of wild ginseng, meet some of the people working to preserve the plants that make our region unique, and learn what each of us can do to keep our local flora thriving.

But first, WPLN health care reporter Blake Farmer has the latest on monkeypox in Middle Tennessee

Guests:

• Blake Farmer, WPLN senior health care reporter

• Kim Bailey, former staff naturalist at Warner Parks

• Isaac Santos, AmeriCorps member working with Friends of Shelby Park

• Roger McCoy, director of conservation at Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

• Cooper Breeden, conservation coordinator at Tennessee Plant Conservation Alliance

Related episodes: 

• Emerald ash borers, privet and stink bugs… oh my!

• Exploring the future of green space in Nashville on Earth Day