August 20, 2024— The U.S. National Science Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation announced a $946,768 grant to Kansas State University, Duke University, and the North Carolina Botanical Garden to study how climate change may affect the optimal fire management strategy for Venus flytraps and act as an indicator for other rare species. READ more.
June 2024— The Flytrap Forum held in Boiling Spring Lakes May 30 was a success. About 55 people--local residents, Flytrap relocation volunteers, land owners, scientists, and Waccamaw Siouan tribal members--came to hear updates from agencies, organizations, and individuals working with Venus Flytrap populations. Covered topics included Flytrap rescue efforts, recent and ongoing research (reproductive ecology, insect relationships, genetics and seed banking, etc.), Fish & Wildlife Service status review, and a panel discussion on current and future threats to Flytrap populations. The day began with a recognition ceremony for new Flytrap Champions: four NC Wildlife Resources Commission officers--Captain Brandon Dean, Sergeant Matthew Criscoe, Master Officer Bradley Jordan, and Senior Officer Jason Munson--for their continued efforts to apprehend Venus Flytrap poachers in southeastern North Carolina.
March 2024 — Officers with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission obtained arrest warrants for two people accused of stealing nearly 600 Venus flytraps from Nature Conservancy land in the Boiling Spring Lakes area. READ about it.
December 2023 — An article in Mother Jones examines the decision not to list Venus Flytrap as a federally threatened/endangered species and profiles the work of Venus Flytrap Champions.
November 2023 — Venus Flytrap is featured in a blog about about the people and programs of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. READ "Venus Flytraps: Homegrown North Carolina Wonders" by Michael Manganello.
September 2023 — Venus Flytrap Champions founder Julie Moore was named one of Garden & Gun magazine's Champions of Conservation. READ about it (includes a short video).
August 30, 2023 — Boiling Springs Lakes, NC:
Under a permit with the City of Boiling Spring Lakes from the NC Plant Conservation Program (NC Dept. of Agriculture), a total of at least 1100 flytraps were relocated by energetic volunteers from wet roadside ditches to appropriate habitat on a safe site on city property. Local residents were assisted by volunteers from the NC Native Plant Society, North American Sarracenia Conservancy, and summer interns with The Nature Conservancy. The following article in Coastal Review HERE profiles this rescue and relocation.
An earlier effort in the Boiling Spring Lakes area (September 2022) is profiled in this article by Patty Langer in Southport Magazine HERE
Under a permit with the City of Boiling Spring Lakes from the NC Plant Conservation Program (NC Dept. of Agriculture), a total of at least 1100 flytraps were relocated by energetic volunteers from wet roadside ditches to appropriate habitat on a safe site on city property. Local residents were assisted by volunteers from the NC Native Plant Society, North American Sarracenia Conservancy, and summer interns with The Nature Conservancy. The following article in Coastal Review HERE profiles this rescue and relocation.
An earlier effort in the Boiling Spring Lakes area (September 2022) is profiled in this article by Patty Langer in Southport Magazine HERE
June 24, 2023 — Julie Moore and Chuck Roe of Southern Conservation Partners (sponsor of Venus Flytrap Champions) participated in a Community Day at Moores Creek National Battlefield, a National Park Service site in southeastern North Carolina, located not far from Wilmington and in the region to which Venus Flytraps are native. Park staff is interested in reestablishing flytraps. Unfortunately, their native population of Venus Flytrap died after it was flooded for too long, due to a culvert that became blocked after a hurricane. Julie and Chuck were invited to set up a table and talk with visitors about Venus Flytrap and about the nearby Black River, home to swamp forests featuring the oldest trees in eastern North America.