In the Cumberland Plateau, shortleaf pine and shortleaf pine-oak forests have historically dominated. However, much of the shortleaf has been replaced by loblolly pine or mixed-hardwood forests due to past management practices.

These shortleaf forests are rich in biodiversity and much of that diversity has been lost due to these changes in forest types. As a result, an initiative was developed to restore shortleaf forests and improve management of existing shortleaf forests by increasing the use of prescribed fire.

Initially, landowners and their foresters identified several barriers to shortleaf pine restoration. First, there was a general lack of knowledge about shortleaf pine silviculture and the benefits of planting shortleaf. A second limiting factor was the lack of economic incentives. Although some cost-share assistance was available, the uncertainty of funding and delays between application and approval created a disincentive for many landowners. Although some landowners have an idea or vision of what their property can be, many lack the knowledge and resources to make the vision a reality. As a result, the Alabama Forestry Foundation developed this project to bridge that gap.

What We’re Doing:

Our team of natural resource professionals is available to meet landowners on their property, determine their goals, develop management plans and recommendations to meet their objectives, provide technical assistance to implement any management practices, and identify available cost-share assistance programs to help fund the work.

Common management practices to restore and improve shortleaf forests include harvesting existing stands, planting shortleaf, thinning stands to improve forest health, using prescribed fire to control competition and improve wildlife habitat, controlling invasive species, and implementing best management practices to protect water quality and maintain roads.

Our team can also help landowners sign up for cost-share assistance available from programs like the USDA-NRCS EQIP Program that can greatly reduce the cost of implementing management practices.

As a result of this project, landowners have planted 1,363 acres of shortleaf forests, implemented prescribed burning on 12,317 acres, and improved management on 3,167 acres of shortleaf forests.

All services provided to landowners are FREE OF CHARGE thanks to the generous support provided by our sponsors. In addition, all information provided by landowners is CONFIDENTIAL.