A New Generation of Foresters Gets Familiar with Longleaf Needle Pine

RAEFORD, N.C., December 3, 2022- The Sandhills Prescribed Burn Association (SPBA) held a family tree planting event on Saturday, December 3, 2022. The association invited staff from the United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) of North Carolina (NC), along with several partners and their families to learn about the importance of the longleaf needle pine and wildlife. The event was held at the Hoke Community Forest located in Raeford N.C., one of two such forests on the east coast. Over 30 children got their hands dirty by planting trees, learning about forestry careers, and local wildlife that can be found in longleaf needle pine ecosystems. 

“We will never be able to restore the Longleaf Pine Forest on a landscape scale without capturing the varied stories of the people who have lived with this forest for many generations. The strength of the Longleaf Pine Forest as an important conservation treasure lies in its diversity. The participants and partners in Saturday’s community tree planting event also reflected the community that will be needed to restore this forest,” said Jesse Wimberley, SPBA Coordinator.

Historically, longleaf pine ecosystems ranged from Virginia to Texas. Several factors have led to the demise of the once 90-million-acre range, according to the SPBA less than 5% of that historic range remains. The loss of habitat has been the most significant role in the decimation of this important tree species. Recent reporting highlights that North Carolina has experienced the nation's third-biggest jump over year span. Logging operations, erosion, agricultural conversion, and urban development have each played a part in the reduction of this pine species. Aside from loss of habitat, fire suppression and invasion species have also contributed to its downfall. 

NRCS works with agricultural producers and conservation partners to restore longleaf forests through the Longleaf Pine Initiative (LLPI), which was launched in 2010. Since then, interest in conservation efforts for this pine species have been very promising, just this past fiscal year NC-NRCS has awarded more than 70 contracts with a total of financial assistance exceeding $3.6 million dollars to benefit forestry and wildlife in NC.  These efforts were provided through the administration of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). For fiscal year 2023, NC-NRCS budgeted more than $1.88 million dollars for longleaf establishment and management. 

“A healthy Longleaf Pine Forest is an asset to wildlife, people in the community, and the environment.  NC-NRCS is proud to be a part of this on-going effort." said Tim Beard, NC-NRCS State Conservationist.

LLPI target efforts in priority counties because of their favorable growing conditions and value in connecting existing stands of longleaf pine; restoring adjacent stands and creating corridors between stands. These targeted areas are usually located in the vicinity of a military installation, a national forest, national wildlife refuge, state forest or heritage reserve. 

NC-NRCS also provides other assistance through voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner.  Through these programs, the agency approves contracts to implement conservation practices that addresses natural resources concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal, and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. To get started, please visit your local USDA Service Center. 

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