The Longleaf Partnership Council (LPC) was formed in October 2011. Its organization followed two earlier meetings in the fall of 2010 and spring of 2011 involving some 80 individuals representing diverse agencies and private groups. Recommendations from these earlier meetings framed the LPC, its operational guidelines and structure.  As of 2022, over 115 representatives from more than 60 organizations have served on the LPC, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise to the table that make America’s Longleaf a truly collaborative effort.

The LPC is comprised of 33 members representing non-governmental organizations, state and federal agencies, implementation teams and other collaborative efforts, private industry, universities/research/extension and private landowners. Its purpose is to promote effective communication and collaboration among the large number of partners working to conserve longleaf pine ecosystems across the Southeast. 

The LPC expects to meet face-to-face no less than twice a year and by conference call on an as-needed basis. Check back here to learn more about the activities of the LPC and its meeting schedule.

Current Leadership

The LPC is governed by the LPC Leadership Team which is the planning and coordinating arm of America's Longleaf. The Team includes a chair, chair-elect, and past chair, with each person serving a one-year term in each position.

• Chair Jamelle Ellis, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
• Chair-Elect Rickey Lackey, National Wild Turkey Federation
• Past Chair Jason Dockery, Alabama Forestry Commission

The LPC Leadership Team also includes Federal agency representatives and liaisons.

• Katy Smith, PhD, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute as liaison for the Department of Defense
• Kyle Jones, USDA Forest Service
• Matthew Vandersande, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Dave Gonzalez, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Current Membership