2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 50

Robert M. Franklin, Clemson Extension Service, P.O. Drawer 1086, Walterboro, SC 29488; 843.549.2595; rmfrnkl@clemson.edu; Dean Gjerstad, School of Forestry, Auburn University, AL 36849; Mark Hainds and Rhett Johnson, Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center, Route 7 Box 131, Andalusia, AL 36420

With the 18th Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) sign-up, landowners in the South have an opportunity to restore longleaf pine back to being a major component of southern ecosystems. In Georgia and neighboring states, record numbers of landowners signed up to plant longleaf, but few know the challenge of planting this difficult-to-regenerate species. A total of 102,000 acres was accepted into the CRP program with nearly 75% in Georgia followed by Alabama (13,480 acres); South Carolina (6,450 acres); Florida (5,968 acres); North Carolina (1,407 acres); and less than 500 acres total in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia.

To assist landowners in learning how to plant longleaf pine, The Longleaf Alliance collaborated with the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Jones Ecological Research Station, USDA Forest Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to do a series of longleaf pine tree planting workshops in the Southeast. Between January and October of 1999, 13 workshops were held in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, the states with the largest CRP longleaf enrollment.

Over 1,000 landowners and natural resource professionals received training in: Longleaf Pine Ecosystems, Use of Prescribed Burning, Site Preparation Options, Care and Planting of Seedlings, Economics of Longleaf Pine, and participated in a planting demonstration that featured hand and machine planting with the proper equipment.

Based on written evaluations of 6 of the workshops, 202 landowners rated the programs highly and indicated they would plant over 41,200 acres of longleaf pine over the next 2 years. They indicated that the knowledge gained in planting and management would help them earn $1.75 million dollars and save $930,000 in the future when working with longleaf pine.

Plans are underway to update the workshop and offer it again this year for the new group of landowners enrolling in the CRP longleaf program. The program materials are available from The Longleaf Alliance to anyone within the region with an interest in planting longleaf pine. For additional details on these and other longleaf related outreach efforts contact The Longleaf Alliance at (334) 222-7779.