Shoals Spider Lily Monitoring & Restoration
Safeguarding the Savannah River’s Aquatic Ecosystem
The Porter Fleming Fund has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences to support the restoration of the Shoals Spider Lily (Hymenocallis coronaria), an aquatic plant native to Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. The plant’s population has been declining due to habitat loss and overgrazing by deer. Since May 2023, the Phinizy Center team has been working on a comprehensive project that began with habitat assessments along the Savannah River. They collected detailed data on water flow, depth, and substrate from five shoal sites to determine the conditions that support healthy Shoals Spider Lily populations.
“Thank you to everyone from Porter Fleming Foundation for funding this project, we would not have been able to restore the Shoals Spider Lilies without your support.”
Now the project is transitioning to responding to the data. The team collected 1,600 seeds from existing populations, and are growing them in the Phinizy Center lab. These seedlings will be planted in suitable habitats along the Savannah River to either establish new populations or restore those nearly wiped out by deer. To address the challenge of deer overgrazing, the team is working with experts to develop protective strategies for the reintroduced plants. Continuous monitoring of water quality and depth will further guide the restoration efforts.
The Porter Fleming Fund is proud to support the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences in their vital work to restore the Shoals Spider Lily. This project exemplifies our commitment to preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of our region. By investing in the Phinizy Center’s research and restoration efforts, we are helping to ensure that this iconic species can thrive once again. We look forward to seeing the long-term impact of this initiative and are honored to be part of a project that will benefit both the environment and future generations.