Landowners encouraged to aid longleaf pine forest recovery

Landowners in Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties are invited to learn about the advantages of restoring longleaf pines on their land.

Pine forests are one of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems, providing shelter to more than 600 animal and plant species.

Nearly 97 percent of longleaf pine forests have been depleted due to timbering, urban development and fire suppression, negatively impacting wildlife populations, including the endangered gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpecker and the black pine snake, according to a press release from Natural Resources Conservation Service.

More than 30 animal species that are federally listed as endangered or threatened depend on these forests. More species are considered to be at-risk.

Restoring forests can improve the quality of the soil, air and water while aiding the comeback of animal and plant species.

Florida is one of nine states included in the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Longleaf Pine Initiative which provides landowners with financial and technical assistance for conservation practices that will improve the sustainability and profitability of longleaf pine forest ecosystems.

For more information, contact District Conservationist Israel Vega-Marrero at 941-907-0011, ext. 3143, or visit nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/fl/programs/landscape/?cid=stelprdb1263472.

This story was originally published October 22, 2017 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Landowners encouraged to aid longleaf pine forest recovery."