May 2022 Longleaf Partnership Council Meeting

On May 23rd and 24th, the Longleaf Partnership Council (LPC) and America’s Longleaf partners gathered in Pensacola, FL, to discuss ongoing activities in support of longleaf restoration as well as the business needs of the LPC.  This is the first time the LPC has met in person in two years, and it was wonderful to reconnect face-to-face with valued longleaf friends and supporters.

The meeting’s agenda brought LPC members up to speed about ongoing projects and informed about new initiatives taking place.  Attendees were treated to presentations and discussions on the following topics:

• A round table discussion on how non-federal partners are engaging in projects related to climate, wildfire risk reduction, and infrastructure funding, and to learn about roles and projects gaps to facilitate better collaboration;
• Updates from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation on the 2022 Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund, the new America the Beautiful Challenge program, and other federal funding opportunities;
• A breakout group session to discuss the approach for updating the Range-wide Conservation Plan for Longleaf Pine (Conservation Plan) and report out from the groups, as well as an update on the Longleaf Suitability Analysis that will guide revisions to the Conservation Plan;
• Presentations from the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership (GCPEP), a flatwoods salamander project in the Florida panhandle, and the newly designated Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape;
• A guest presentation from Jerri Taylor of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative on enhancing diversity in forestry careers;
• Updates from the Longleaf for All working group on progress and future possibilities;
• Discussion on how to best maximize the longleaf story to help address fundraising, policy, and public perception; and
• Federal partner updates from U.S. Forest Service, Department of Defense, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency, National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Additionally, this year marked the 25^th anniversary of the GCPEP, the first local implementation team.  A celebration occurred on May 26^th at the Blackwater River State Forest that many meeting participants were able to attend and toast to the success of the GCPEP.

The next LPC meeting will be held in person on October 24-25, 2022, in Wilmington, NC, in conjunction with the 20^th Biennial Longleaf Conference, hosted by The Longleaf Alliance.

Archive