Green Seal of Approval Application
UNCW and Environmental Management Dept. Project to Mitigate the Possible Loss of a North
Carolina threatened species: Aristida condensate (three-awn grass)
1. Name (Project Lead)
Mr. Roger Shew (Geography & Geology), Dr. John Taggart (Environmental Studies), Ms. Jen
Messer (Greenhouse Manager) & Mr. Sam Hawes (Landfill Manager)
2. Department or Organization
UNCW & NHC Landfill
3. Contact Number
910-962-7676 Mr. Roger Shew
4. Contact Email
shewr@uncw.edu – Mr. Roger Shew
shawes@nhcgov.com – Mr. Sam Hawes
5. Project Sponsor (if applicable)
n/a
6. Description of Project
Aristida condensata (three awn grass) is a North Carolina threatened species meaning it is “likely
to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant
portion of its range”. It is also ranked as S2 meaning that it has only 6 – 20 extant populations in
North Carolina. This ranking also means the species imperiled or very vulnerable to extirpation
from the state. It is only located in 6 counties in southeastern North Carolina: Bladen, Hoke,
New Hanover, Pender, Richmond, and Scotland. One of the plant site locations in New Hanover
County is at the New Hanover County Landfill. However, the expansion of the landfill (approved
January 22, 2013) to extend its life 45 years means that 200 acres of land will be converted over
time to cells for the disposal of solid waste. Therefore, another site must be found to mitigate the
loss of the xeric sandhill community and the three awn grass habitat.
Grass seed were collected in the Fall 2013 (11 faculty and students and 3 NHC Env. Mgt. Staff)
and planted in containers in the Spring of 2014. Seed dispersal was done at a prepared site at the
landfill also.
The seedlings were then planted at the landfill in the Fall 2014 (15 faculty and students and 2
NHC Env. Mgt. Staff) in the mitigation site on the northern end of the landfill. Longleaf pines
were planted with the seedlings as both occur in the xeric sandhill community. Another batch of
seeds have been planted (Dec. 2014) in the greenhouse with hoped for planting of these before
May 2015. This will be an ongoing effort as we determine the best protocols and most successful
methods of growing and planting the Aristida stricta grass.
7. Data Collection and Assessment (if applicable)
Ongoing project; 1st Phase completed
8. Compatibility with STARS® and/or the UNCW Sustainability Action Plan.
Community Partnerships, Community Service, Academics - Research