Longleaf Pine Initiative

Longleaf pine forests once encompassed more than 90 million acres of the North American landscape. Today, only three percent, or 3.4 million acres, remain and, yet, Longleaf pine forests represent some of the world's most biologically diverse ecosystems.

The Longleaf pine ecosystem provides critical habitat for 29 threatened and endangered species. Those threatened and endangered species include the gopher tortoise, indigo snake and red-cockaded woodpecker.

The Longleaf Pine Initiative began when an interdepartmental Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among USDA, the Department of Interior and the Department of Defense identified the longleaf pine ecosystem as a priority resource concern. 

As part of the initiative, NRCS and its conservation partners in nine states are helping private landowners improve the sustainability and profitability of longleaf pine forest ecosystems. The following important conservation practices improve the forests' health: forest stand improvement, prescribed burning, restoration and management of rare or declining habitats, and tree/shrub establishment.

NRCS Farm Bill conservation programs provide landowners technical and financial assistance. States involved in the initiative include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, (PDF) (1.7 MB) Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

NRCS Georgia has made it a priority to expand and restore the longleaf pine ecosystem in Georgia. Many efforts have been documented across the State on private lands where NRCS has partnered with private landowners and partners to rebuild the once thriving ecosystem to its former glory.

Learn more from the Technical Guidance for LLPI in Georgia.

Watch this great animation video "Restoring a Natural Wonder: The Longleaf Pine Forest"

NRCS Core Conservation Practices for Longleaf Pine Initiative

NRCS recommends various conservation practices to meet different resource needs. Each Initiative uses several of these practices as a foundation - its Core Practices.
 
Landowners must implement at least one of the following Core Conservation Practices to participate in the Initiative: Forest Stand Improvement, Prescribed Burning, Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats, or Tree/Shrub Establishment.  

Landowners may also apply for financial and technical assistance to install Supporting Practices to support the Core Practice.

PDF download of the Core Conservation Practice list (PDF) (31 KB)

Additional Longleaf Pine Information

To learn more about the Longleaf Pine Initiative, visit these external websites:

• Longleaf Pine regeneration
• NRCS strategy to restore, create and enhance the longleaf Pine forests in the southeast.
• Visit the America's Longleaf Initiative and discover how this collaboration of concerned and motivated partners works for functional, viable, and longleaf pine ecosystems
• News Release
• Importance of Prescribed Burning to Restoration of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem (PDF) (558 KB)

Additional Information

Sign-up for the Longleaf Pine Initiative is continuous.  Periodic evaluation periods are established.

• Longleaf Pine Initiative 2013 Progress Report
• National Longleaf Initiative
• Map of Georgia Longleaf Pine Initiative area
• Longleaf Pine Region North Application Ranking (PDF) (37 KB)
• Longleaf Pine Region South Application Ranking (PDF) (37 KB)

To apply, contact your local Service Center or Assistant State Conservationist for Programs.