Rivercane Restoration

Rivercane

NPS

Rivercane is an important cultural resource in Ocmulgee Mounds. The Mississippians, who lived here in the Macon Plateau from 900 to 1600 CE, incorporated rivercane into their culture in multiple ways. They used it to build houses by using the wattle and daub method of weaving rivercane together and packing it with clay to form walls. The Mississippians also used rivercane to make baskets and blowguns.

Rivercane is not only a cultural resource, but a natural resource as well. Rivercane helps stabilize soils to prevent erosion and acts as a filter by pulling pollutants from both water and soil. Areas of dense rivercane, also known as canebrakes, are important habitats for deer, small mammals, and birds. William Bartram (1739-1823) was a well-known naturalist that recorded cane bottoms and canebrakes that covered extensive areas throughout his travels through the southeast. However, when European settlement became prevalent in the area, 98% of rivercane was removed throughout the southeastern United States.

 

Park staff and volunteers ready to plant rivercane in the park

NPS

Ocmulgee Mounds’ natural resource staff are working to restore lush canebrake habitat in the park’s wetlands. The restoration project is a long-term effort that involves lots of moving parts. First, individual stalks of cane (called culms) are harvested from healthy populations in the park and around the state. Park staff propagate these culms in pots, where they are cared for until they are sturdy enough to be transplanted. Meanwhile, a transplant site is chosen. Rivercane thrives in areas that are near water and get full sunlight. Once the right site is selected, the hard work begins. Park staff clear the area of any invasive plants that could threaten the rivercane’s growth and success. After the invasive plants have been removed, rivercane from the propagation pots is planted in the ground. Park staff continue to monitor the restoration area, remove invasive plants that sprout up, and track the growth of the transplanted rivercane.

Interested in helping with the rivercane restoration project? Click here for information on volunteer opportunities.