A native pine could improve the land and help the people who inhabit it. Groups say this tree can save jobs, resist climate change and aid the poor in Southern states.
Leading the push to restore the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) is America’s Longleaf Initiative. The Southern Company, a large utility, several colleges and universities, and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) conservation group are among its members.
The NWF released a report last week calling for a major effort to bring back the ancient tree. They believe this pine could deliver benefits to people in a variety of ways.
Not only would the tree offer a useful cash crop of pine straw and valuable longleaf wood, but experts say it would also provide a richly diverse habitat, hospitable to deer, quail, gopher tortoises and many other animals.
The longleaf forest harbors as many species as the Everglades or the Pacific rain forests. Turkey, deer, and quail can thrive in the special ecosystem the tree provides. In turn, these animals can provide food, while hunting and tourism can provide jobs.
“We are working with state and federal agencies to support private landowners in both technical support, as well as cost share and direct payments to minority landowners for restoring longleaf pine forests,” said Tom Darden of the Longleaf Alliance in an email.
Darden said the group is making new efforts to reach minority landowners and involve them in the preservation effort.
Leading the push to restore the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) is America’s Longleaf Initiative. The Southern Company, a large utility, several colleges and universities, and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) conservation group are among its members.
The NWF released a report last week calling for a major effort to bring back the ancient tree. They believe this pine could deliver benefits to people in a variety of ways.
Not only would the tree offer a useful cash crop of pine straw and valuable longleaf wood, but experts say it would also provide a richly diverse habitat, hospitable to deer, quail, gopher tortoises and many other animals.
The longleaf forest harbors as many species as the Everglades or the Pacific rain forests. Turkey, deer, and quail can thrive in the special ecosystem the tree provides. In turn, these animals can provide food, while hunting and tourism can provide jobs.
“We are working with state and federal agencies to support private landowners in both technical support, as well as cost share and direct payments to minority landowners for restoring longleaf pine forests,” said Tom Darden of the Longleaf Alliance in an email.
Darden said the group is making new efforts to reach minority landowners and involve them in the preservation effort.
