September
September concluded the first year of Longleaf Restoration Project. As I was developing projections for the upcoming year I figured it is a good time to recap our accomplishments. Out of the original $1,220,765 we have spent $711,776.50 and contracted for another $217,547.25.
At Baldwin, we burned 180 acres, completed the first cogongrass control treatment, mulched 6 acres, planted 1 ½ acres of containerized longleaf and also planted native grass plugs. A second cogongrass treatment is scheduled for October. We have contracted with DCS Contractors to build a pavilion, entry sign and interpretive kiosk. Next spring we will have the 3rd cogongrass control treatment applied. Baldwin is well underway to becoming a demonstration forest.
At Choccolocco, 251 acres were mowed, 256 acres were chopped, all 654 acres have been herbicided for site prep. We have contracted with Tanyard Properties to burn the site prepared areas and Ketchum Land & Timber will plant those areas this winter with containerized trees from International Forest Company. In early spring we will apply weed control to the areas that were did not receive a fall Oust treatment during site prep.
At Geneva, 230 acres were planted with longleaf following herbicide site prep. Weed control was applied late spring; this was delayed due to inadequate root growth. We feel there will be good survival considering the cold December temperatures. The regeneration portion of Geneva is complete. After 7 months of mulching and large amounts of rain, we completed 1,250 acres. Crop Production Services is currently spraying those acres for understory control.
At Little River, 406 acres were mowed and herbicide was applied for understory control. The roads surrounding the cone production areas were also reworked to provide better access. In addition, this grant paid for the planting of 70 acres of longleaf seedlings. The Little River project is complete.
During 2009 and 2010 scholarships for 46 participants for the Longleaf Academy were provided. The remaining scholarships will be awarded for spring of 2011 Academies. Finally, the brochure on development and publication of Economic Case for Longleaf Management is under development and will be ready for publication by the end of 2010