PROJECT REPORT
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Dear friend, Thanks to your support, a total of 100,000 trees were planted to restore 69 hectares of land in Florida. 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, and biodiversity can thrive. None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted, thank you! What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in Florida. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.
OVERVIEW The objective of the Florida 2023 - Eglin Air Force Base Reforestation project was to restore 100,000 sand pine stands near the Eglin AFB for the purposes of reducing wind and water erosion, while providing vital wildlife habitat to over 30 species, including at least ten which are federally or state threatened. By reforesting this area, this project aims to bring a wealth of ecological and social benefits to the community, including the provision of recreational opportunities, improved water quality and carbon sequestration, and support of the local economy.
TREES PLANTED 100,000
TREE SPECIES PLANTED 1
FAMILIES BENEFITED 15
HECTARES REFORESTED 69
JOBS SUPPORTED 17 ENDANGERED SPECIES BENEFITED 3
ACRES REFORESTED 170 WILDLIFE SPECIES BENEFITED 30
TREE SPECIES PLANTED One native species was planted across 170 acres near Eglin Air Force Base: sand pine (pinus clausa). Our on-ground partners planted 100,000 sand pine seedlings at approximately 602 trees per acre across multiple sites located in and around the Eglin AFB. Prior to planting, each stand received site-prep treatment to reduce the amount of competition in an effort to ensure the greatest seedling survival. Sand pine thrive on the driest, least fertile, sandy soils, typically in areas referred to as “scrub.” Due to their remarkable adaptability to sandy soils and harsh environmental conditions, their deep root systems are able to efficiently access water and nutrients, ensuring their survival in arid landscapes. Because these areas are composed mostly of woody vegetation and lack significant amounts of grass and debris, fires are much more infrequent than in other natural communities in Florida. As a result, fires only occur in sand pinescrub communities under extreme conditions, such as low humidity, drought and high winds. By planting only sand pine species, we establish it early on as the dominant tree species in the ecosystem, and allow it the full potential to regenerate following a fire disturbance. Moreover, sand pine possess a competitive advantage over other species susceptible to fire, as their serotinous cones require heat from wildfires to open and release seeds. This facilitates successful regeneration and further perpetuates their dominance in the ecosystem. Essentially, the only fires that occur within sand pine-scrub ecosystems are intense, stand-replacing fires, promoted and maintained by the sand pine stands and their many ecological capabilities. Following this planting, our partners will conduct one and three year seedling survival checks to ensure the health of the stand. Likewise, after three years the stands will be monitored regularly to ensure overall health and maturation levels.
SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT Sand Pine (Pinus Clausa)
TREE SPECIES
IDENTIFICATION & USE There are over 180 known species of pine worldwide, with 7 of them being native to Florida. One of these is Sand Pine, also known as Pinus clausa, which is a small, narrow evergreen conifer with a dense, oval crown of highly divided branches. Although most conifers are better adapted to cool climates, sand pine are found nearly exclusively in Florida, with only a scattering of some in Alabama. This slow growing species forms into a small, often shrubby tree from 16–33 ft, exceptionally to 69 ft tall. The trunks of sand pine are rarely straight, typically seen growing with a portion of the crown missing or with a lean to one side. The 2 to 3.5-inch-long, spiny cones persist for quite a while on the tree, and can even become embedded in the wood of the twigs. Leaves of sand pine are alternatively arranged, bright green and needle-like (filiform), and flower buds form in early summer and become visible by early autumn. In an ecosystem, sand pine seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Similarly, its canopy creates habitat for numerous woodpeckers, songbirds, and birds of prey, as well as grey and flying squirrels. In fact, more than 20 threatened or endangered species of wildlife live in or utilize sand pine forests, including Florida scrub jays that sometimes nest in the branches. Birds of prey will also perch in the trees to watch for small mammals and rodents that often feed on the seeds below. Sand pine have extensive, fibrous root systems which helped them solidify their place in reclamation sites as a colonizer of poor soils. Not only do sand pine’s industrious roots work to stabilize soils and prevent erosion, but the species tolerance to dry, sandy soils allows it to adapt to conditions created near asphalt and other hot areas in urban landscapes. Although mature stands have a low tolerance to fire because of their thin bark, sand pine is still classified as fireresistant because of its profuse regeneration through seeds after fire.
YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP The Florida 2023 - Eglin Air Force Base Reforestation project supported the planting of 100,000 sand pine trees across the Eglin Air Force Base in Santa Rosa County, Florida. By restoring these sites, this project’s impact will be felt deeply, establishing crucial wildlife habitat, improving recreational opportunities and economic stability in the area and those surrounding, and initiating multiple ecological services to be stewarded by the new stands.
DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT Through authentic and informative storytelling, we help donors relate to the people 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 happening on the ground.
PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT
THE FUNDING FROM ONE TREE PLANTED DONORS WILL ALLOW US TO INCREASE OUR HABITAT RESTORATION EFFORTS ON THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT ACROSS EGLIN. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR HABITAT RESTORATION AT A QUICKER PACE THAN WOULD HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN POSSIBLE.
BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS This reforestation project will benefit the ecosystem in countless ways, including restored wildlife habitat of threatened and endangered animals, reduction of weather and climate related impacts, and revitalization of regional biodiversity through the addition of iconic sand pine stands. Eglin is home to ten federally-listed species, including the reticulated flatwoods salamander, Okaloosa darter, gulf sturgeon, eastern indigo snake, red knot, piping plover, red-cockaded woodpecker, Choctaw bean, narrow pigtoe, southern sandshell, and fuzzy pigtoe. There are even more state-listed species that will directly benefit from the planting in Eglin, as well as an additional 28 species in the northern Gulf of Mexico that will gain through improved water quality. Similarly, this restoration being 100% sand pine will benefit endemic species such as black bear, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey, boosting local biodiversity through the support, food, cover and shelter of a variety of species.
COMMUNITY
BENEFITS
The newly planted sand pine stands will benefit thousands of people in the local community and beyond. From the town’s forestry staff and planting crew, to the recreational users that will visit and enjoy the forest, and the harvest crew that will eventually harvest the trees many years from now — the impacts of this planting will be felt far and wide. Likewise, the trees will also support the local economy at the local green energy mill as well as areas surrounding the mill. In terms of ecological services, this project will benefit thousands of people with cleaner air and improved water quality. As the sites are located near the coasts of East and Choctawhatchee Bay, the planted trees will help prevent wind and water erosion from impacting aquatic life as well, benefitting both life below water as well as recreational pursuits such as kayaking, paddleboarding, eco-tours, and fishing.
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) our impact on the planet. Trees are one such solution. 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 trees can address all 17 sustainable development goals.
“This project is a perfect example of how reforestation can kickstart natural regeneration and bring a wealth of ecological and social benefits along with it. Between reduced erosion, restored habitat of vulnerable species, improved air and water quality, and recreational benefits, both the local community and wildlife will gain through safeguarded welfare for years to come.”
Meghan Danny
Global Projects Support Specialist
Brittney Burke
Director of Projects North America