Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund Grant Announcement Quotes

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service:

"NRCS looks forward to the ongoing synergy to support producers with restoring longleaf pine ecosystems through LLSF," said NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. "NFWF's effort is a force multiplier that maximizes the core competencies of public and private partnerships in ways that enable us to win even more, together, for longleaf ecosystems, wildlife and communities."

U.S. Forest Service:

"The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and the Landscape Stewardship Fund have been instrumental in the effort to conserve and restore longleaf pine ecosystems," said Regional Forester Ken Arney with the USDA Forest Service, Southern Region. "Through America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative, we have managed more than 20 million acres to advance this ecosystem on public and private lands in the Southeast, including planting more than 1.6 million acres of longleaf. This is proof that public-private partnerships are highly effective when structured properly and can greatly accelerate desired outcomes on the landscape."

U.S. Department of Defense:

"The Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund continues to be a valuable partner with the Department of Defense, supporting sustainable military readiness.  This collaborative conservation effort benefits longleaf pine ecosystems while also sustaining the operations of military installations and test and training activities in the Southeast important to our national defense," said Mr. Michael McGhee, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment and Energy Resilience. "Working with partners to restore the longleaf pine ecosystem supports national defense by enhancing landscape resilience, promoting compatible land uses near our military installations, mitigating wildfire risk, supporting biodiversity, and enhancing carbon sequestration through land management practices. We are proud to be a part of these endeavors and continue to support the protection, creation, and enhancement of longleaf pine forests through these collective efforts.
"For every dollar DoD invests, approximately $14 in matching partner funds will help establish more than 4,200 acres of new longleaf pine, implement prescribed fire on more than 200,000 acres, and enhance an additional 15,000 acres of existing longleaf pine through management treatments. Altogether, seven military installations in the Southeast will directly benefit from LLSF projects."

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

"The Service is proud to play a part in this conservation partnership," said Michael Oetker, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s acting Regional Director. "This coordinated effort helps replant an amazing tree back into the forests of the Southeast and helps restore one of the most imperiled ecosystems in North America, the longleaf pine ecosystem. This year’s grants will help support local efforts, on both public and private lands, to restore forests and improve wildlife, like quail, turkey and gopher tortoise."

Bezos Earth Fund:

"The Bezos Earth Fund is proud to support restoration in some of the most biodiverse forests in the world. This has taken us to places like the Congo Basin, the Tropical Andes—and right here in the southeastern United States," said Bezos Earth Fund President and CEO Dr. Andrew Steer. "Longleaf forests are home to globally unique species, soak up carbon from the atmosphere, and are an important part of America’s cultural heritage. Unfortunately these forests have been reduced to a fraction of their historical range. We’re pleased to work with NFWF and local partners to drive the restoration of 8 million acres of this vital ecosystem."

International Paper:

"International Paper is proud to contribute $1 million to support 15 grants that will work to advance longleaf pine habitat restoration in the southeastern region of the United States," said Sophie Beckham, International Paper Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. "Sustainably managed forests are the starting point for stewardship values at IP, and we work to promote and support responsible forest stewardship to ensure we have healthy and productive forest ecosystems for future generations."

Southern Company:

"The Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund continues to expand the power of public-private partnerships to support critical conservation needs," said Jeff Burleson, Southern Company senior vice president of environment, system planning and sustainability. "Southern Company is proud of our twenty-year commitment to restore the longleaf ecosystem and all its ecological benefits."

The Orton Foundation:

"We are proud to continue our support of NFWF’s Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund and their impressive efforts to restore, enhance and protect critically threatened longleaf pine forests across the Southeast," said Louis Bacon, founder and chairman of the Orton Foundation, the North Carolina affiliate of The Moore Charitable Foundation. "This work is critical to supporting the recovery of iconic and endangered species and strengthening capacity of local organizations and communities to make advances in forest health."

One Tree Planted:

"One Tree Planted is excited to be partnering with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to help restore longleaf pine forests across the Southeast and is looking forward to expanding our collective impact in the years to come," said Stephanie Rochemont, Director of Projects: North America.