2021 REPI Challenge Recipient to Support Longleaf Pine Forests

The Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program announced the 2021 REPI Challenge funding recipients, including one North Carolina project supporting protection of the longleaf pine ecosystem.

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point are all located within the Eastern North Carolina Sentinel Landscape.  Due to the attractive coastal location of these installations, they are all facing an increase in incompatible commercial and residential development, as well as climate driven impacts such as sea-level rise and coastal erosion.

Through coordinated partner efforts, this project will complement ongoing conservation efforts in the area, support an agricultural easement to prevent incompatible development, and bolster resiliency efforts surrounding the installations.  The project will also manage and protect wildlife habitats including the longleaf pine ecosystem and large expanses of coastal marsh which support many endangered and at-risk species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker.

This year’s REPI Challenge focused on innovative projects that limit incompatible development, enhance military installation resilience to climate change and extreme weather events, and/or relieve current or anticipated environmental restrictions on military testing, training, or operations at locations hosting key mission capabilities.  In 2021, the REPI Program awarded $15.6 million in program funds to be coupled with nearly $21.6 million in partner contributions to implement seven projects.  By spreading funding across these seven projects, the 2021 REPI Challenge will contribute to initiatives benefitting 12 installations and their communities across the country. 

Click here to read more about the REPI Program and the awarded projects.

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