Longleaf pine trees are one of the most ecologically important tree species to the southeast United States, supporting over 900 unique species. Due to over-use, there is now only 3% of the 90 million acres of longleaf pine forests that once spanned the southeast. LET'S PUT THEM BACK! During last year's planting season, we planted 12,000 longleaf pine trees on conservation land with your help (we only planted 4,500 the year before). Please help us plant another 10,000 in this planting season!
Only 5% of the 90 million acre forest corridor that used to cover the entire southeast United States, remains. Due to unsustainable over-use and management for the past two centuries, the few long leaf pine forests that do stand today are threatened. Longleaf pine ecosystems and their species are intimately connected, the death of one species could be a ripple pool devastating the entire longleaf pine ecosystem.
By planting 10,000 trees, our project will work to restore the longleaf pine corridor for a stronger ecosystem. This will improve the long-term longevity of these conservation-land forests which will provide environmental and wildlife benefits for generations to come. Endangered and threatened animals like the gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and indigo snakes will have a healthier habitat to thrive in, which will contribute to the overall improved health of longleaf pine ecosystem.
Longleaf pine forests are more resilient than other southeastern pine forests, with their ability to withstand the negative effects of climate change. This makes them the perfect forests to invest in for absorbing heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Since the trees will be planted on conservation lands, their longevity is secured. We are able to take these trees and monitor the amount of carbon emissions that are absorbed and turn them into verified carbon offsets.
