Louisiana soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) are using a multi-practice approach and funding from the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership (LRP) to restore longleaf pine and its diverse ecosystem on non-industrial private forestlands that are located within the historic range.

“The soil and water conservation districts that operate within Louisiana’s historic longleaf pine range are the grassroots funding vessels for NRCS programs,” Corby Moore, the district conservationist with Calcasieu SWCD, said. “Our great partnership has successfully implemented a locally-led approach that provides service to our local communities with conservation planning, technical assistance and farm bill conservation program assistance for the restoration of our native longleaf pine ecosystems.”

“We’re trying to enhance and grow the longleaf pine ecosystem and at the same time we are working to educate and inform our local forest landowners and cattlemen on the importance of correctly grazing cattle in our forests to improve forest health and control invasive brush species; correctly using the cattle as a biological force with fire to drive that ecosystem,” Moore said.

The Louisiana Longleaf Pine Partnership aims to collaboratively increase restoration of longleaf pine and other native ecosystems within a six-parish area anchored by Fort Polk and the Kisatchie National Forest. The longleaf pine habitat supports several at-risk species. The project targets landowners on adjacent properties to expand the longleaf pine ecosystem through riparian enhancements, implementing best forest management practices, restoration of native plants, and prescribed burns. Reduced wildfire and water quality protection also are targeted through the partnership.

According to NRCS forester Rick Williams, project involvement has jumped 20 to 25 percent through the partnership efforts and district outreach. He added a lot of people want to see the longleaf restored and brought back, so it’s been a huge effort from the districts, NRCS and partners.

Nearly all of the project applications coming through have been funded. Projects range from plantings to controlling undesirable vegetation to installing firebreaks.

Through the partnership, loblolly is being removed in favor of longleaf. Additionally, about 3,500 acres have been thinned for the red cockaded woodpecker and the Louisiana pine snake; 24,949 acres had a prescribed burn, 3,247 acres received vegetation management to favor longleaf pine; and about 4,255 acres have been planted with longleaf pine seedlings.

All of the landowners participating in the program had a site visit and a detailed management plan written for their property. The management plans vary by landowner and resources on site but may include cattle grazing, prescribed burning, or wildlife habitat improvements along with the management of longleaf pine.

“We’re seeing positive results to the ecosystem due to grazers in the forest,” Williams said. “The grazers stimulate vegetative diversity and species richness while keeping down the shrubs. Landowners who are grazing the longleaf forest watch their vegetation closely and when it gets to a target point, they rotate the animals. Rotating animals through the forest provides benefits to the vegetation that’s there.

In order to use grazing for management, a landowner must have a perimeter fence in place. After that, the LRP funds can assist with other tools inside the perimeter including inside fencing and water systems.

Moore said prescribed burning has also increased to help reduce invasive species and keep the understory managed, an aspect of the longleaf habitat for wildlife like the woodpecker.

“Folks still remember what our forests looked like when free range grazing occurred in southwest Louisiana,” Moore said. “They understand that grazing is needed to help control the brush explosion that we have in our forests. It is my duty to provide education and technical assistance to our landowners on how to properly graze our forests so that no other resource concerns are caused. If we don’t stay on top of it and manage it, our forests become stagnant and unmanageable.”

The district is also teaching prescribed burn techniques and establishing prescribed burn councils. The goal is for landowners to become certified to conduct the burns themselves at the appropriate times.

“I’m proud of what we do. We’ve touched a lot of lives and helped a lot of the landscape here,” Moore said.

Other partners in the project include Department of Defense; Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; National Wild Turkey Federation; The Nature Conservancy; Louisiana Forestry Association; USDA APHIS-Wildlife Services.

Tags: LRP, landscape, restoration, partnership, joint, chiefs, louisiana, longleaf, pine