At the Land Trust of North Alabama, conservation is about more than protecting land. It is about the people who dedicate their time, curiosity, and expertise to understanding and caring for it. One of those people is volunteer Loretta Lynne Weninegar, whose recent achievement highlights just how powerful that commitment can be.

Lynne, an education volunteer and a member of the Land Trust’s Resource Advisory Committee, recently co-authored a peer-reviewed study titled “Biodiversity of Plants on Conservation Land in North Alabama: Lessons Learned from a Study of Poales at Bloucher Ford Nature Preserve.” She worked alongside co-author Dr. Troy Bowman, and both are faculty and staff with the Forestry Ecology and Wildlife Program at Alabama A&M University. Published in the Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science, the paper has since been recognized with the journal’s top award. It is an exciting moment not only for Lynne, but for the Land Trust as a whole, as it reflects the meaningful role our preserves play in advancing scientific understanding.

The research centered on Bloucher Ford Nature Preserve, a 28-acre property in Madison County. Over the course of two years, researchers conducted an in-depth plant inventory focused on grasses, sedges, and rushes. What they found speaks volumes about the richness of even small protected spaces. A total of 71 species were identified on the preserve, including 29 new or updated records for the region, and more than 70 percent of those species were native.

Beyond the numbers, the study revealed something equally important. The way land is managed has a direct and measurable impact on biodiversity. In the past, sections of the preserve were regularly mowed to maintain a more manicured appearance. During the study period, mowing was reduced in certain areas, allowing plants the time and space to grow, flower, and set seed. This shift made it possible to identify species that had previously gone unnoticed, offering a clear example of how small changes in management can lead to deeper ecological insight.

Findings like these matter, especially in a state like Alabama, which is known for its incredible biodiversity but has relatively little land set aside for permanent conservation. Land trusts play a critical role in protecting these spaces, and research like this helps ensure they are managed with intention and care. By documenting what exists on the land today, we are better equipped to protect it for the future.

Lynne’s contribution to this work is a reminder that conservation is a shared effort. Volunteers bring passion, perspective, and dedication that strengthen every aspect of the Land Trust’s mission. In this case, that dedication helped produce award-winning research that will inform conservation efforts well beyond a single preserve.

We are proud to celebrate Lynne and grateful for the role she continues to play in helping us better understand and protect North Alabama’s natural landscapes.