THE LONGLEAF ALLIANCE

Development of a Tool for Restoration of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem

Project Description

The Longleaf Alliance will receive $12,300 from the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant program in 2014 to produce a document clarifying the role of sustainable forestry and commercial markets in contributing to the restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem. Produced in concert with a diverse group of foresters, biologists and researchers, the document will help promote longleaf conservation, sustain markets, and provide communications tools to SFI Program Participants and the conservation community who are already firmly in support of restoration efforts.

Though vastly diminished from its original range, longleaf restoration is an emerging success story, and a rallying point for a tremendous array of partners from across the conservation and forestry communities. The 2013 Rangewide Accomplishment Report for Longleaf Pine cited 1.38 million acres of restoration in 2013. This project brings together diverse partners from the Non-profit community and SFI Program Participant ranks to develop information to be used to help respond to concerns from European buyers over the use of Longleaf material in certified products, and to clarify the role of healthy markets in motivating restoration. This project directly addresses the intersection between SFI-managed forests and restoration of a highly-visible and vastly diminished ecosystem, and speaks to the SFI program standard in the areas of community involvement and conservation of biological diversity.

Project Partners

The Longleaf Alliance is itself an organization representing a broad range of support and partnership, and will also partner with Resource Management Service, LLC, Forest Investment Associates, National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), and International Paper.

Project Resources

Project Overview PDF

About The Longleaf Alliance

The Longleaf Alliance (LLA) was established in 1995 when it became apparent that the interest in the longleaf ecosystem and the tree itself was growing rapidly, but there wasn’t an outlet available for ecologists, foresters, wildlife biologists, land owners and land managers seeking information or a means to distribute information they did know. A growing body of anecdotal information, personal experience, and scientific data was being passed on fitfully, and many groups were not being reached. The LLA was therefore created with the express purpose of coordinating a partnership between private landowners, forest industries, state and federal agencies, conservation groups, researchers, and other enthusiasts interested in managing and restoring longleaf pine forests for their ecological and economic benefits.