The Natural Resource Commission agreed to proceed with final adoption of the Terrestrial Plant Rule on January 15, 2019. We are in the home stretch. The next steps include review and approval by the Attorney General (AG) for legality then, review and approval by the Governor. After approval by the Governor, the rule is sent to the Publisher. The rule becomes effective 30 days after the Publisher receives it. So, if the rules proceeds through the final two steps it will likely become effective in April 2019.
What does this mean? Effective immediately a person may not introduce a species that is listed in the rule. One year after the rule becomes effective it will be illegal to sell, offer, grow for sale, gift, barter, exchange, or distribute, transport or transfer a species on the list.
There are 44 species on the list. Please check this website to view the rule and list of species: https://www.in.gov/nrc/2377.htm
In the meantime, we would like to briefly share a preserve a week with you - a Sunday reflection. These places are select sites set aside to protect our natural heritage. We hope to entice you to visit and let the unique biodiversity of each one not only inspire you, but also provide time for you to ponder, reflect upon and celebrate our natural heritage.
This week's spotlight are the Harrison County Glades. These are limestone glades that are simply amazing. These natural openings surrounded by woodlands typically occur on south or southwest facing slopes. Soils here are thin and gravelly, and the summer temperatures are sweltering. Doesn't sound all that enticing does it? But the plants and wildlife that occupy and use these tough places are a must see and a must experience. You would also think that if you've seen one glade you have seen them all. Oh, not true! Each is unique and special. Each takes my breath away every time I visit. For instance, pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) only grows on Teeple glade.
We encourage you to visit the glades of Harrison county: Teeple Glade, Buena Vista Glade, Mayme Hinton Glade, and Klinstiver Glade. You may visit any time of year, but a visit in the springtime or early summer reveals a suite of stunning blossoms of species such as shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia), hoary puccoon (Lithospermum canescens), birdfoot violet (Viola pedata), and climbing milkvine (Matelea obliqua).
Please visit this website: https://www.in.gov/dnr/naturepreserve/4698.htm for an interactive map and list of preserves open to the public.
Respectfully,
Dawn
dawn.slack@tnc.org
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