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Friday, September 10th, 2010
Land Protection Print E-mail

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Please do not harm Eastern Indigo snakes, photo credit Heidi Hall
In consideration of the large spatial requirements for viable eastern indigo snake populations, conservation strategies depend on protecting large, contiguous sections of unfragmented habitat.  Minimum preserve size has been estimated at 4,000 ha but larger areas will increase the probability of robust self-sustaining populations over time. In addition, given that indigo snakes require certain habitat types seasonally, the configuration and proximity of habitats within a preserve are also important. Protecting larger preserves that include a diversity of overwintering and summer foraging habitats will increase viability of indigo snake populations.

 

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Eastern Indigo snake, photo credit Dirk Stevenson
To address the threats of habitat loss and fragmentation, Project Orianne’s Land Protection Program will work with partners to develop a core protected area centered on some of the largest remaining eastern indigo populations; The Altamaha River Corridor Indigo Snake Preserve. The Preserve is built around an existing network of approximately 6,070 ha acres of conservation lands including State Wildlife Management Areas, a Nature Conservancy Preserve, and property owned by Project Orianne. The Preserve includes both important eastern indigo overwintering habitat (sandhills and Altamaha Grit outcrops) and a diversity of summer habitats. We are currently working on expanding the size of the Preserve by acquiring additional properties and working with partners on conservation easements.
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Cabin on Mopani Preserve, photo credit Steve Winters
The long-term goal for the Preserve is to protect a minimum of 8,093 ha (approximately 20 times the largest eastern indigo home range documented) with all properties protected forever (e.g., protected under a conservation easement) and managed in perpetuity to maintain eastern indigo populations. By protecting, restoring, and managing such a preserve, we will have truly have created an eastern indigo preserve where snake populations can live undisturbed forever.

 

 

 
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The Kaplan family and Project Orianne are fully dedicated to the conservation and restoration of eastern indigo snake populations. We will continue to tirelessly dedicate our time, energy, expertise, and resources to saving this “Emperor of the Forest”. As we move forward into 2010 and beyond, we envision our programs growing and creating a different landscape in the Southeastern Coastal Plain. A landscape where the forests are protected, prescribed fires in the growing season are common, indigo snakes hunt for rattlesnakes and rodents, and the people appreciate these resources that allow them to maintain their cultural connection to the land and their rural way of life. I have made this one of my personal missions. My staff and I are and will continue to dedicate everything we have into achieving our vision.

 

Christopher L. Jenkins, PhD,
Executive Director, Project Orianne


 

 

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 As human population growth and land development continue to increase, the need for conservation of our endangered reptiles and amphibians becomes critical. While some species that were once game animals or species that are generally considered more charismatic species receive overwhelming attention in the conservation arena, others, such as most reptiles and amphibians, are often overlooked. By focusing our efforts on the conservation of these species, we are changing this.

 

No matter what level of funding you wish to dedicate, Project Orianne guarantees that 100% of every dollar donated to our cause will go towards field conservation of threatened and endangered species. Together, we can continue our efforts of conserving eastern indigo snakes and rare reptile and amphibian populations on a global scale.

 

We sincerely thank you for your donation; we appreciate and respect your dedication to conservation.

 

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