Private Landowner Outreach
Many of the finest examples of the longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem are
found on lands in private ownership. Stewardship and management of these lands
based on sound science is critical to their conservation. The Jones Center's
education and outreach programs provide information to conservation-oriented
longleaf pine land owners and managers in order to further their stewardship
efforts. Many of our research projects are designed to answer questions relevant
to the needs and interests of private landowners in the region.
Education and outreach activities of the Center are not intended to compete with professional forestry and wildlife management consultants, rather our intent is to add to the body of knowledge on scientifically-based management of the longleaf ecosystem. In addition to our outreach programs, we work collaboratively with other organizations such as the Longleaf Alliance and The Nature Conservancy to further private sector conservation of the longleaf pine ecosystem.
Selected activities include landowner field tours focusing on specific longleaf management issues and demonstration areas, open house events demonstrating our research and management work here at Ichauway, and publications geared toward landowners and managers. Ongoing and emerging research projects address management issues of interest to private landowners, such as restoration of native groundcover, longleaf pine planting and management in old agricultural fields, wildlife management practices, and conversion of slash and loblolly stands to longleaf.
Landowner Field Days
The Center occasionally hosts workshops and field days for private landowners and managers in the region. While participating landowners value their lands from many perspectives, a common thread that ties our audience together is that conservation is an overarching priority in their approach to management. Learn More...
Groundcover Restoration- Native Groundcover Partners
As interest in restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem continues to grow, particular attention is being focused on restoration of native ground cover because of the importance of these species for wildlife habitat and ecosystem management. Although seeds of native species with high wildlife habitat and site restoration values are in demand by private landowners and public agencies, they are generally unavailable commercially or only offered from sources outside the Southeast. Learn More...