|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Welcome
to the Longleaf Alliance
Home of the Longleaf Pine Fire Forest
Creating
an alliance of longleaf enthusiasts resulted from our recognition that
interest in the longleaf ecosystem and the tree itself was growing rapidly.
Ecologists, foresters, wildlife biologists, land owners and land managers
were searching for information or for an outlet to distribute what they
knew. A growing body of anecdotal information, personal experience, and
scientific data was being passed on fitfully, and many groups were not
being reached. The Longleaf Alliance was established in 1995 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.
Our
structure is simple, our goals direct-the establishment of a functional
longleaf forest ecosystem to the extent feasible in today's Southern forest
environment. We understand that the restoration of a fully functioning
longleaf ecosystem appeals to landowners in varying degrees. Recognizing
that an intact longleaf forest ecosystem is not likely ever again to dominate
the Southern landscape, we have adopted the philosophy that "better
is better." We believe that longleaf in any form is better than a
cotton field; that longleaf and native ground cover (like wiregrass) is
better than longleaf alone; that longleaf, wiregrass, and gopher tortoises
are better than longleaf and wiregrass alone.
The
vast majority of forest acreage in the Southeast is privately owned. For
example, private (non-industrial) landowners own 78% of Alabama's forestland.
Forest industry owns 16% of Alabama's forestland. The remaining 6% is
shared between national forest and other public lands. Consequently, we
feel that the greatest opportunity to significantly re-establish longleaf
pine forests is on private lands. A primary focus of ours is to provide
economically viable and voluntary options for recovery of longleaf on
private lands where most of the losses are occurring.
We serve as a clearinghouse for information on regenerating, restoring and managing longleaf pine; provide networking opportunities for our members to connect with other landowners, managers and researchers with similar interests and problems; and coordinate technical meetings and education seminars.
Download RealPlayer
|
THE LONGLEAF PINE ECOSYSTEM | RESOURCE MANAGER INFORMATION | INFORMATION FOR EDUCATORS | BURNING QUESTIONS |