TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Water Institute’s Community-Oriented Nature-based Science for Ecosystem Restoration and Versatile Engineering, or CONSERVE, Research Group is leading a groundbreaking initiative for rivercane conservation in the Southeastern United States.
The project, backed by a $3.8 million grant over three years from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s America the Beautiful Challenge, will focus on revitalizing rivercane ecosystems and preserving the cultural heritage tied to this critical native species. By working with tribal governments and Indigenous communities, CONSERVE is addressing both ecological and cultural restoration needs in the region.
Rivercane, Arundinaria gigantea, a native bamboo once covering vast areas of the Southeast, has dwindled to just 2% of its historical extent. This decline has far-reaching implications, threatening the ecosystems and cultural practices deeply intertwined with this species. CONSERVE’s project will focus on developing genetic resources and restoration strategies to support the revitalization of rivercane ecosystems across the region.
“This project is important for several key reasons. First, it will boost conservation goals across the Southeast region by providing the best science in support of native rivercane ecosystems and wildlife habitat,” said Michael Fedoroff, director of CONSERVE. “Secondly, we are working directly with our tribal partners to build a lasting collaboration for rivercane conservation that will endure long past the project life cycle. We are grateful to the NFWF for recognizing native rivercane as a cultural keystone species of importance to Indigenous people and conservation initiatives in the Southeast region.”
CONSERVE is leading the collaborative effort with tribal communities, federal and regional partners and conservation organizations to address key challenges, including the scarcity of rivercane for restoration and sustainable harvesting. The project will focus on collecting and genetically characterizing rivercane populations, developing a germplasm bank and creating a publicly accessible database linking environmental responses with genetic markers. These efforts aim to support the establishment of new canebrakes, which provide critical habitats for at-risk species, such as Swainson’s warbler and Louisiana black bear, and bolster cultural traditions of Southeastern Indigenous communities.
The project will be implemented in at least 12 Southeastern states and support at least five tribal governments. Greenhouses containing rivercane are centrally located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with demonstration field sites across the entire region, including tribal lands.
“Rivercane is one of the most vital aspects in sustaining rivercane basketry, along with other cultural uses for cane,” said Lillie Williamson, environmental director of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in Louisiana. “Due to the lack of availability of rivercane in our region, this grant opportunity will support our efforts of establishing our own rivercane area that will be available for present and future generations.”
NFWF’s America the Beautiful Challenge funds projects that conserve, restore and connect habitats for wildlife while improving community resilience and access to nature. This year, 61 grants totaling $122.5 million were awarded to projects across the U.S., with CONSERVE’s project among them.
“SECAS recognizes the ecological importance of rivercane and its role in furthering our goal of a 10% increase in the health, function and connectivity of Southeastern ecosystems by 2060,” said Louise Vaughn, user support specialist from the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy. “As a cultural keystone species of great significance to many Southeastern tribes, rivercane is also an important part of the SECAS vision of a connected network of lands and waters that supports thriving fish and wildlife populations and improved quality of life for people. We are proud to partner with the CONSERVE team on this project.”
CONSERVE’s work will directly support tribal sovereignty and cultural heritage, ensuring Southeastern tribes have access to sustainable rivercane resources. In addition, the project will strengthen ecosystem resilience, improve water quality and contribute to regional conservation priorities. For more information, contact CONSERVE director and corresponding principal investigator Michael Fedoroff.