Magnolia Conservation
Sarah Sawtelle, Engagement Manager helps us take a deeper dive into Magnolia conservation this week as we continue to enjoy peak bloom.
According to the Red List of Magnoliaceae, about half of earth’s assessed Magnolia species are considered threatened with extinction, meaning they’re classifeid as Vulnerabe, Endangered or Critically Endangered in the wild.
What are the top threats to Magnolias?
The top 3 causes of Magnolia habitat loss are:
1) Logging & wood harvesting
2) Annual & perennial non-timber crops
3) Livestock farming & ranching
Other threats include housing and urban development, wild plant collection, and climate change & severe weather.
What can I do to help?
A major threat to Magnolia habitats & populations is logging & wood harvesting. We can help reduce our impact by lessening our use of wood and paper products. When we do use wood and paper, we can choose more sustainable options. Look out for certifications such as those from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and Rainforest Alliance. Certification programs such as these have developed in response to consumer demand for more sustainable forest products. Pushing for more stringent industry standards for wood products can help protect habitats for Magnolias - and many other forest species!
