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Presenting a check to announce 15 grant recipients for a total of $3.1 million is an event in
and of itself. But, this press conference held at the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning
Center in Columbus, Georgia reveals only part of the picture. What you don't see here is
the story of how a collaborative effort between partners is making great strides to protect
and restore longleaf pine in the Southeast. "The Longleaf ecosystem is really unique in
the Southeast. It is a highly diverse habitat that is home to an amazing array of wildlife
species including the red cockaded woodpecker, the gopher tortoise, the indigo snake, and
bobwhite quail."-Amanda Bassow, NFWF Because that ecosystem is so important to
both the environment and the economy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
has partnered with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, Forest Service, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Defense and the Southern Company to fund fifteen projects
across the historic longleaf range through the Longleaf Stewardship Fund.
"Through a partnership effort such as this, it provides us many more tools, many more
opportunities for which we can make direct contact in various ways with various groups
throughout this ecosystem. This partnership has proven over the years to be extremely
effective in outreach and in informing private producers."-Leonard Jordan, NRCS
NRCS has long been a leader and supporter in restoring longleaf pine. Through the agency's
Longleaf Pine Initiative, NRCS has been able to work with more than 1,800 private landowners
to restore about 145,000 acres of longleaf since 2010.
Reaching that goal is more attainable through efforts like the Longleaf Stewardship Fund.
"It does complement the longleaf pine effort which is about enhancing the acreage of longleaf
pine."-Leonard Jordan, NRCS The partnership is seeking to enhance longleaf
pine acreage on military installations. For instance, a 10,000-acre site on Ft. Benning
is part of that push. The grant will accelerate and demonstrate longleaf pine conservation
in west Georgia and east Alabama within the Fort Benning Significant Geographic Area (SGA).
This project will provide technical assistance and outreach to private landowners and develop
model forest demonstration sites that will showcase the ecological benefits of longleaf
pine. Four other military installations have also received funding.
"It's obvious that these types of relationships and partnerships are key to our success. We
have found that sustaining both the military's readiness and natural resources allows us
to effectively advance the interests of both."-Cynthia Jester, U.S. Army
Partners agree that this collaboration also has other benefits.
"It's keeping working lands working. So, it's economic benefits for the private landowner
and everybody. It allows for recreational opportunities on public lands, state lands,
and federal lands; fishing, bird watching and those types of things."-Cindy Dohner,
USFWS As the effort continues to gain momentum,
each partner acknowledges that educating private landowners and community leaders will be key
in conserving the longleaf ecosystem for future generations.
"We can't do it by ourselves. We can do the funding, we can give some expertise but here
are boots on the ground that really put this all together to where you look at everything
working in totality."-Ron Shipman, The Southern Company
Over the next three years, the Longleaf Stewardship Fund will work to restore more than 13,500
acres and enhance over 140,000 additional acres of longleaf pine habitat.