South Lowcountry – ACE Basin (SoLoACE) Longleaf Partnership Update

By Bobby Franklin, SoLoACE Longleaf Partnership Coordinator, The Longleaf Alliance

After an unseasonably warm winter, spring arrived in the Carolina Lowcountry, and summer land management plans are in full swing. Area landowners are continuing to do prescribed burning when weather conditions are favorable. Site preparation season for planting longleaf is around the corner, and many are starting midstory hardwood control treatments.

The Partnership had a successful Prescribed Fire Academy at the Webb Wildlife Center February 21-23 which was attended by 21. Participants were a mix of agency, landowners, and NGOs. Coordinator Bobby Franklin also taught two Master Naturalist classes in the area which reached a total of 50 people. Additional Partnership events included a field day in Bamberg County held on June 8th and two upcoming Academies are planned for January and April 2018. Technical Assistance to landowners and cost-share efforts are continuing.

The SoLoACE Longleaf Partnership would not be successful without the continued support  from: The Longleaf Alliance, Beaufort Open Land Trust, Clemson University, Ducks Unlimited, The Hitchcock Woods, International Paper Company, Lowcountry Open Land Trust, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Nature Conservancy, Nemours Wildlife Foundation, South Carolina Audubon Society, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Forestry Commission, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Savannah River Forest Station. Thank you, to all our partners and landowners who participate!

Image 1: SC DNR Biologist April Atkinson discussing fire tools at the February Fire and Longleaf Academy.  Photo by Bobby Franklin.

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