To avert species' extinction, western Mass. researchers plant Appalachian trees in Franklin County
There are about 60,000 species of trees on Earth, and about 1 in 3 is at risk of extinction, according to a 2021 report from Botanic Gardens Conservation International.
Among them: the Magnolia fraseri — commonly known as mountain magnolia. Native to southwestern Virginia, they are seemingly unable to adapt fast enough to habitat loss.
Now two western Massachusetts researchers are taking steps locally to save the Appalachian tree.