Introduction and Background

The America’s Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) included nearly $8.5 million in funds to be divided among the 5 states participating in the Southeastern Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) for longleaf pine ecosystem restoration. The states involved include North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Each submitted a shopping list of projects to be funded and each received approximately $1.75 million with the multiple goals of creating jobs, restoring longleaf pine ecosystems, and stimulating the economy. The Alabama projects included: (1) longleaf establishment on 1,497 acres of cutover sites; (2) midstory and understory control to restore longleaf ecosystems and facilitate longleaf cone collection on 1,800 acres; (3) invasive species control, fuel reduction, and creation of a demonstration forest; (4) provision of longleaf seedlings sufficient to reforest 1,000 acres in support of the LIP and EQIP programs on private lands; (5) tuition for 50 private natural resources professionals to attend Longleaf Academies, and (6) development of a brochure to make the economic case for longleaf. In June, the Alabama Forestry Commission and The Longleaf Alliance began discussions regarding the expenditure of these funds. The Alliance agreed contractually to act as the coordinator for several of the projects. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will administer the funds for the purchase and distribution of seedlings to private landowners. The Alliance will coordinate the remainder of the projects, acting essentially as the general contractor as well as service provider.