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Northwest Florida Water District Plants 15 Millionth Longleaf Pine Tree
January 28, 2018
The Northwest Florida Water Management District planted its 15 millionth longleaf pine tree on public lands.
“Planting trees and restoring forests are something we take a lot of pride in here in northwest Florida,” said George Roberts, Chairman of the District’s Governing Board. “We understand the significant role the longleaf pine habitat plays in protecting water resources for the residents in our District.”
Once other plantings are completed this month, the District will have planted nearly 15.1 million longleaf pines since 1993. In that same 25-year period, the District has also planted an additional 1.6 million other trees, including cypress and other hardwoods, to bring the overall total tree plantings to nearly 17 million.
“It’s an honor to join the District on Florida Arbor Day to celebrate 15 million longleaf pine trees,” Valenstein said. “The Department is committed to continuing to work with the District and our local partners to restore natural habitat and protect our state’s prized properties in northwest Florida and statewide.”
The District has also planted more than 6.6 million wiregrass tubelings – a key component to a healthy longleaf ecosystem.
The longleaf pine is a critical piece of northern Florida ecosystems. The tree’s presence helps improve plant species diversity and provides wildlife habitat for animal and insect species. It also provides erosion control and natural fuel for effective prescribed burns.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District is charged with managing and protecting the water resources of the Florida panhandle in a 16-county region, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
One Response to “Northwest Florida Water District Plants 15 Millionth Longleaf Pine Tree”
Wonderful. The vast long leaf and wire grass eco system was vast and beautiful. Thank you for the conservation efforts of NWFWMD.
“Longleaf pine’s domain was vast. By all accounts, the longleaf pine forest dominated the southern landscape. Starting in southeast Virginia, the longleaf pine forest stretched southward through nine states eventually stopping in east Texas (over 140,000 square miles).
For countless generations, cultures were both transformed by and helped to transform the longleaf piney woods. However, starting about 150 years ago, over-exploitation of the longleaf pine forest accelerated tremendously and the face of the southern landscape changed radically.”