Abbeville Red Iris Alliance

ABBEVILLE RED IRIS ALLIANCE MISSION STATEMENT: 

 

"The specific purposes for which our nonprofit is organized are the conservation, restoration, and protection of Iris nelsonii, also known as the Abbeville Red Iris, the only plant species endemic to the state of Louisiana, and its only known native habitat, located in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana.

 

These purposes shall be accomplished through volunteerism and an unlimited variety of events, educational programs, conservation initiatives, restoration activities, and other activities consistent with the rights and purposes of a nonprofit organization.

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Additionally, by assisting with the organization, marketing, and presentation of Palmetto Island State Park’s annual Abbeville Red Iris Bloom Event and Nature Day, the organization will help raise the local, regional, and national profile of this rare and special plant, its conservation and restoration, and its unique connection to Vermilion Parish, the only place in the world where it occurs naturally."

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ARIA Projects

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TThe Abbeville Red Iris Alliance (ARIA) is actively involved in

 

protecting, propagating, restoring, and promoting the rare

 

Abbeville Red Iris (Iris nelsonii). Our work includes:

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• Maintaining the Abbeville Red Iris Display at the Palmetto Island State Park boardwalk swamp.

• Monitoring Abbeville Red Irises in the Abbeville Swamp and collecting seed pods to help preserve the species' genetic diversity.

• Collecting and preparing seeds for propagation by working with partner organizations to open seed pods, collect the seeds, and pot them in one-gallon containers.

• Growing Abbeville Red Iris seedlings at our New Orleans iris nursery, where the young plants are cared for until they reach a size suitable for restoration planting at Palmetto Island State Park.

• Planting Abbeville Red Irises each winter in the Palmetto Island State Park boardwalk swamp to expand and strengthen the park's growing population.

• Organizing and promoting the annual Abbeville Red Iris Bloom Event & Nature Day at Palmetto Island State Park, working with park staff and conservation partners to educate the public about the Abbeville Red Iris and the unique habitat it depends upon.

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If you would like to volunteer to help with any of these projects, please send us an email at: abbevilleredirisalliance@gmail.com

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