Texas 2023 - Restoration of Longleaf Pine

PROJECT REPORT TEXAS 2023RESTORATION OF LONGLEAF PINE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Dearfriend,

Thanks to your support, a total of 232,500 trees were planted to restore longleafpineforestsinTexas.

Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole,andbiodiversitycanthrive.

None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted,thankyou!

What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in Texas. I hope youenjoyreadingitandtrulyfeeltheimpactyouhavemade.

OVERVIEW

The Texas 2023 - Restoration of Longleaf Pine project aimed to revitalize and safeguard longleaf pine ecosystems within the Longleaf Ridge and Big Thicket SGAs. These areas are recognized as critical landscapes under the Range-wide ConservationPlanforLongleafPine.Thisinitiativeprioritizestheconservationand enhancement of biodiversity, effective fire management, and provision of optimal wildlife habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including game, non-game, and threatened and endangered species. By focusing on longleaf pine management, the project works to fortify forest health and resilience while fostering a thriving ecosystemthatbenefitsbothwildlifeandthelandscapeasawhole.

TREES PLANTED TREE SPECIES

PLANTED

WILDLIFE SPECIES BENEFITED

232,500 1 3

TREE SPECIES PLANTED

A total of 232,500 longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) seedlings were planted across Texas within the Longleaf Ridge and Big Thicket Significant Geographic Areas (SGAs). This marks a pivotal step towards reclaiming and expanding the western extent of longleaf pine's historic range, safeguarding these landscapes from potentiallossanddegradation.

Longleaf pine, characterized by its long needles and robust stature, holds unparalleled ecological significance. Despite being the sole species planted in this restoration initiative, it's important to note that this does not constitute a monoculture. Rather, the unique attributes of longleaf pine render it conducive to plantinginclusters,benefitingboththeecosystemanditsinhabitants.

Longleaf pine forests are renowned for their biodiversity and resilience. These ecosystems, shaped by fire and adapted to periodic disturbances, foster a rich tapestry of plant and animal life. By planting several longleaf pine seedlings in close proximity, we emulate the natural pattern of forest regeneration, creating patches of diverse ages and structures within the landscape. This mosaic of habitats provides opportunities for myriad species, from ground-dwelling herbs to canopy-dwelling birds. The open, spacious understory of young longleaf pine stands offers ideal conditions for the proliferation of native ground cover and wildflowers,furtherenrichingthebiodiversityoftheselandscapes.

Moreover, the extensive root system of longleaf pine facilitates soil stabilization and nutrient cycling, contributing to ecosystem health and resilience. These attributes make longleaf pine forests not only havens for biodiversity, but also invaluable in mitigating the impacts of climate change and enhancing landscape functionality.

SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)

LONGLEAF PINE IDENTIFICATION & USE

There are nearly 200 pine species worldwide, three of which are native to Texas. One of those species is longleaf pine, otherwise known as Pinus Palustris, an evergreen conifer tree native to the southern United States and ranging from Virginia west to Texas and south to Florida. Longleaf pine is a medium-large tree that grows from 80 to 100 feet in height and gets its name from its long, feathery green needles that reach up to 18in long — the longest leaves of any eastern pine species! The tree’s bark is orange-brown and scaly, with branches that form an ovalcrownatthetopofthetree.

With a life span of up to 300 years, this threatened species has only a few oldgrowth stands of its kind left, scattered through the southeastern United States. And while the species isn’t endangered, many other endangered plant and animal species live in and depend on longleaf pine ecosystems. In fact, longleaf pine provide a home to more than 30 endangered and threatened animal species, including red-cockaded woodpeckers and indigo snakes. Likewise, they provide foodandwintercoverforotherwildlife.Forthatreason,longleafpinecommunities arerankedasthreatened.

As an added benefit, longleaf pine are exceptional at withstanding fire. Not only is the species fire resistant, but controlled fires are actually used to clear the forest floorofleaflitterinordertoallowlongleafpineseedstheopportunitytocomeinto contact with the soil and germinate. Forest fires that clear debris are therefore good for the tree’s growth, as the seeds would otherwise not reach the bottom of theforestfloor.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE IMPACT

The restoration of longleaf pine ecosystems in Texas holds immense ecological significance, particularly within the confines of Significant Geographic Areas (SGAs). This page delineates the anticipated ecological benefits stemming from the restorationoflongleafpinehabitatsinTexas,focusingontheLongleafRidgeandBig Thicket SGAs. By employing technical methodologies such as prescribed burning and strategic habitat management, this project aims to revive crucial ecosystems, fosteringbiodiversityandsafeguardingendangeredandthreatenedspecies.

SGAs denote specific areas where conservation efforts are focused due to their importance for maintaining biodiversity or protecting particular species. Within the Longleaf Ridge and Big Thicket SGAs, encompassing the southern Angelina and Sabine National Forests, lies a collection of habitats home to a plethora of unique species, including the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), the Louisiana pine snake (Pituophis ruthveni), and the Bachman’s sparrow (Peucaeaaestivalis).

The Longleaf Ridge SGA spans 117,000 acres, housing critical habitats for various species, notably the red-cockaded woodpecker. Habitat Management Areas (HMAs) designated within this SGA are vital sanctuaries for the endangered woodpecker, sustaining 63 family groups as of 2012. Recent data indicates a promising surge in the population of red-cockaded woodpeckers, attributing this growth to forest restorationefforts,includingprescribedburnsandhabitatenhancementstrategies.

The Big Thicket SGA shelters remnants of wet longleaf pine savannas and pitcher plant bogs. This ecosystem, at risk of urban encroachment and fire suppression, underscores the urgency of restoration endeavors. The project’s interventions, such as prescribed burning and hardwood encroachment control, are poised to revitalize these habitats, offering a lifeline to numerous plant species of conservation concern, including the Texas trailing phlox (Phlox nivalis), white firewheel (Gaillardia aestivalis),andChapman’sorchid(Platantherachapmanii).

By mitigating habitat fragmentation and enhancing connectivity between isolated tracts of longleaf habitats and adjacent conservation areas, the project promotes geneticexchangeandspeciesmovement,crucialforlong-termpopulation viability.Thisproactiveconservationapproachexemplifiesacommitmentto preservingbiodiversityandsafeguardingimperiledspecies,whilealsoenhancing theadaptivecapacityofnativespeciestowithstandfuturechallenges.

DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT

Throughauthenticandinformativestorytelling,wehelpdonorsrelatetothepeople who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happeningontheground.

PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

The Texas 2023 - Restoration of Longleaf Pine project extends its impact far beyond ecological restoration, offering substantial benefits to the diverse communities residing within the project area. With 1.03 million residents living in the project area counties, demographic data reveals a population composition comprising 69.2% white, 11.2% black, and 18.4% Hispanic individuals, with a medianhouseholdincomeofapproximately$49,000.

Economic Contributions: In alignment with the robust forest sector in the 19 East Texas counties prioritized for this project, the restoration augments the region's economic vitality. Building upon the existing $2.99 billion economic contribution and over 9,000 jobs sustained by the forest sector, this project fortifieslocaleconomiesandlivelihoods.

Employment Opportunities: From consulting foresters to collaborating with contractors, these professionals played integral roles in planning and executing management strategies, including planting, mechanical treatments, herbicide application, and prescribed burns. By engaging and supporting small businesses,theprojectstimulateseconomicresiliencewithinthecommunity.

Recreational Opportunities: As wildlife habitats are revitalized, the project gives rise to recreational income for landowners and rural communities. Enhanced natural landscapes attract outdoor enthusiasts, bolstering tourism and providing opportunities for recreational activities such as hiking, birdwatching,andhunting,thusenrichingcommunitylifeandwell-being.

Timber Asset Protection: Longleaf pine, praised for its resilience to environmental stressors, offers significant timber asset protection, benefitting stakeholders across the forest sector. With heightened resistance to wind events, drought, and insect threats compared to other southern pine species, the widespread cultivation of longleaf pine safeguards timber resources and bolstersthelong-termsustainabilityoftheforestryindustry.

U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

WHAT ARE SDGS?

Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate)ourimpactontheplanet.Treesareonesuchsolution.

From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting treescanaddressall17sustainabledevelopmentgoals.

“Preserving endangered longleaf ecosystems, especially those at risk of encroaching urbanization and climatic shifts, remains paramount. Projects such as this stand as beacons of hope, showcasing the power of collective action in safeguarding and restoring these landscapes for the benefit of futuregenerations."

Meghan Danny Global Projects Support Specialist

Stephanie Rochemont Project Manager

Canada & Northeast US