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Recently burned longleaf pine stand, Croatan National Forest, North Carolina
© Milo Pyne
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This regional network is focused on restoring longleaf pine ecosystems in coastal plain regions of the Southeast. These areas, as well as prairies, pocosins, bogs and areas of sand pine scrub, were all historically shaped by frequent fire. Widespread urbanization, agriculture and silviculture have fragmented these areas and drastically reduced the amount of fire they experience.
For the time being, these areas still have high conservation value, but they desperately need prescribed fire if they are to persist.
Vision
The Southeast FLN seeks to increase the understanding and use of fire across the coastal plain. By bringing together fire use practitioners from various agencies and organizations, we will increase the scale and effectiveness of ecological prescribed fire.
Network objectives include:
- restore and protect, large, connected, and functional ecosystems, including fire-dependent systems and processes;
- overcome public misperceptions regarding prescribed burning; and
- share and exchange relevant information and technology.
Demonstration Landscape
A dedicated team of land managers started working together in North Carolina's Onslow Bight region in 2002. A subset of this group has been addressing the fire-related needs of the area since 2005. Efforts to-date have focused on gathering information needed to establish on-the-ground restoration priorities and sharing fire management tools.
In 2007 the Onslow Bight team is drafting a burn prioritization tool for partners and the overall landscape using a mixture of local and LANDFIRE data. The group will also identify priority restoration projects and seek funding for this work. Two workshops will focus on identifying and overcoming barriers to fire regime restoration and measuring success. The Onslow Bight is also a LANDFIRE demonstration project.
Participating Landscapes
Participating landscapes for this regional network have not yet been identified. These will be areas that include a large, intact component of longleaf pine that could benefit from the development of collaborative conservation and fire management plans. These areas may be privately or publicly owned, or include a mix of ownerships.
Contact Margit Bucher or Rob Sutter to nominate a landscape to receive focused help.
Resources:
Leaders: Margit Bucher and Rob Sutter
Longleaf Pine Workshop / Location and dates tbd
This workshop will kick off the development of detailed Conservation Action Plans for three to six participating landscapes that are focusing on conserving longleaf pine ecosystems.
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