Longleaf redux - longleaf pine; Global Releaf Forest project in Florida

American Forests, Summer, 1998 by Tom Horton

alabama CONECUH NATIONAL FOREST

The planting of more than 348,000 native longleaf in two projects at this forest north of Florida's Panhandle is part on an effort to rebuild the upland sandhill ecosystem and encourage the restoration of native plants and animals. Many of these species, such as the Indiana gray bat, gopher tortoise, and Eastern indigo snake, are listed as threatened, endangered, or sensitive.

CHOCCOLOCCO STATE FOREST/WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

A total of 71,000 longleaf seedlings are among the species planted here to restore an area severely damaged by a 1993 snowstorm.

florida APALACHICOLA BLUFFS AND RAVINES PRESERVE (1998)

Located on Florida's Panhandle and considered a "crown jewel" preserve, this site is home to more than 15 threatened and endangered plant and animal species - some found nowhere else. Torreya State Park, home to the endangered torreya tree, is in this region also. A total of 225,000 longleaf seedlings will be planted at this site, owned by The Nature Conservancy.

BLACKWATER RIVER STATE FOREST (1998)

When Hurricane Opal destroyed acres of slash pine along Florida's Panhandle in 1996, foresters seized the chance to restore 637,280 native longleaf in five separate plantings at this site, enhancing the habitat for many rare and endangered plants and animals, including the red-cockaded woodpecker.

ECONOFINA CREEK WATER MANAGEMENT AREA

Considered one of Florida's most pristine waterways, Econofina has superb scenery, unique geologic and hydrologic features that make it a canoeing favorite, and now 160,000 young longleaf that reside there.

LAKE GEORGE REFORESTATION (1998)

A total of 117,000 longleaf will be planted on Lake George State Forest near Daytona Beach that had most recently been used for agriculture.

OCKLAWAHA PRAIRIE CONSERVATION AREA

This planting of 190,000 longleaf is part of an effort by the St. John's River Water Management District to restore rare sandhill communities via ecosystem management. AMERICAN FORESTS is dedicating its plantings there as a memorial to victims of the Chornobyl disaster.

WlTHLACOOCHEE STATE FOREST

Planting 75,000 trees to begin restoration of the longleaf ecosystem at this forest west of Orlando will provide habitat for threatened, endangered, and sensitive animal and plant species.

georgia TELFAIR COUNTY LANDFILL

Ten thousand longleaf planted here as part of a mix of species will provide habitat, reduce soil erosion, and provide a showcase for environmental education and ecosystem management techniques

louisiana KENTWOOD LANDFILL REFORESTATION

This planting of 3,000 longleaf, among other trees, will restore forest cover to an old dump site in Tangipahoa Parish.

KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST

The planting of 45,000 longleaf in this forest on Winn Ranger District, part of it bordering the Saline Bayou National Wild and Scenic River, will provide vital future habitat for red-cockaded woodpecker.

mississippi BLACK CREEK R.D.

Enhanced habitat for the threatened gopher tortoise was a key goal of this planting of 22,000 longleaf in DeSoto National Forest.