PROJECT REPORT GEORGIA 2023LONGLEAF RESTORATION OF AT-RISK LANDSCAPES
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Dear friend,
Thanks to your support, a total of 302,500 trees were planted in Georgia.
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 Georgia. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.
OVERVIEW
The aim of the Georgia 2023 Reforestation Project was to foster active participation among family forest landowners spanning 37 counties in southern Georgia. The primary objective was to enhance habitat for at-risk species — including the gopher tortoise and Eastern indigo snake — by revitalizing longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood ecosystems through prescribed fire and strategic plantings.
This collaborative effort successfully engaged around 300 forest owners, working hand-in-hand to implement improved management practices across targeted areas of high-priority longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood habitats. Through these concerted restoration actions, the project sought to bolster the ecological integrity of these landscapes while safeguarding the future of vulnerable species reliantuponthem.
TREES
PLANTED TREE SPECIES PLANTED 302,500 1 WILDLIFE SPECIES BENEFITTED 5
TREE SPECIES PLANTED
Thisprojectwas designedtobolsterhabitatforat-riskspecies,notablythegopher tortoise and Eastern indigo snake, by targeting longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood ecosystems. As such, this endeavor involved the promotion of prescribedfireregimesalongsidestrategicplantingsoflongleafpine.
In Georgia, the proliferation of dense, overstocked pine stands poses a significant threat to forested landscapes. Not only do these conditions increase the risk of wildfires; they precipitate forest health issues and encroach upon critical habitat that is vital for sustaining diverse wildlife populations. By engaging family forest ownersintherestorationprocess,weaimedtomitigatethesethreatsandenhance habitatqualityforat-riskspecies.
Our focus extended to both major and minor longleaf pine stands, as well as other priority habitats scattered across the region. Through the collaboration of our network of partners, we amplified the scope of restoration initiatives targeting high-priority longleaf sites. This approach facilitated the engagement of approximately 300 forest owners, empowering them to implement improved managementpracticestailoredtotheuniqueneedsofhigh-priorityhabitatsacross SouthGeorgia.
By leveraging local expertise and fostering meaningful partnerships, this planting aimed not only to rejuvenate landscapes, but to safeguard the ecological integrity oftheregion,ensuringabrighterfutureforGeorgia'spreciouswildlifeheritage.
SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT
Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)
LONGLEAF PINE IDENTIFICATION & USE
There are nearly 200 pine species worldwide, eleven of which are native to Georgia. One of those 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! Longleaf bark is orange-brown and scaly, with branches that form an oval crownatthetopofthetree.
With a life span of up to 300 years, this threatened species has only a few oldgrowth stands left, scattered through the southeastern United States. And while thespeciesisn’tendangered,manyotherendangeredplantandanimalspecieslive and depend on longleaf pine ecosystems. In fact, longleaf pine serve as a home to more than 30 endangered and threatened animal species, including red-cockaded woodpeckers and indigo snakes. Other wildlife rely on them for food and winter cover.Forthatreason,longleafpinecommunitiesarerankedasthreatened.
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 floor of leaf litter, allowing longleaf pine seeds to come into contact with the soil and germinate. Forest fires that clear debris are therefore good for the tree’s growth,astheseedswouldotherwisenotreachthebottomoftheforestfloor.
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 happeningontheground.
PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT
ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS
The restoration of longleaf pine stands will trigger a profound resurgence of biodiversity across southern Georgia. Among the species poised to benefit, the gopher tortoise emerges as a pivotal figure. Revered as a keystone species, the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) assumes a critical role in shaping its ecosystem. Its burrows, which can extend several meters underground, serve as sanctuaries for countless other organisms, from amphibians and reptiles to small mammals and invertebrates. By cultivating and managing habitat that supports gopher tortoises, this project both protects their future and nurtures a thriving ecosystem.
Furthermore, the ripple effects of gopher tortoise habitat restoration extend far beyond the confines of their burrows. Species dependent on or closely associated with these iconic reptiles stand to benefit as well. The red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis), for instance, relies on mature longleaf pine forests — enhanced through reforestation — as nesting sites, while the bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) finds refuge in the dense undergrowth fostered by healthy longleafpineecosystems.Similarly,speciessuchasBachman’ssparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) andEasternindigosnake (Drymarchoncouperi) willalsobenefit.
Through strategic reforestation initiatives, we not only honor the legacy of keystone species like the gopher tortoise, but uphold our commitment to preservingtherichbiodiversitythatdefinestheregion'secologicalidentity.
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
In our efforts to restore and conserve Georgia's natural landscapes, the planting sites were selected with a deep consideration for community dynamics and historical ecological contexts. This choice was informed not only by the historical range of longleaf pine, and its associated habitat but also by key demographic indicators.
Within the project area, the demographic landscape paints a picture of resilience and opportunity amidst challenges. With a median age ranging between 38 and 42 years, poverty rates averaging between 20% and 24%, and over 60% of the population being non-white, the region reflects a diverse and vibrant community. However it also faces socioeconomic disparities, with an average annual income of less than $45,000 and over 15% of the population considered "at risk," including the elderly, people with disabilities, and households without access to automobiles,accordingto2020censusdata.
Through our strategic focus on forestry initiatives within these communities, we aim to catalyze positive change and address systemic challenges. Through this collaboration, our planting partners have provided targeted outreach and financial opportunities,particularlyinforestrypractices,whichstrivetoalleviatetheburdens faced by many families in these counties. By focusing outreach and providing financial assistance programs in forestry within these counties, we aim to lessen the strain felt by a percentage of these families who are also landowners trying to buildgenerationalwealth.
Our commitment to reforestation goes beyond ecological restoration; it's about fostering community resilience, promoting economic stability, and creating a legacy of environmental stewardship for generations to come. Through collaborative efforts and a shared vision for a thriving ecosystem and community, we are proud to be a part of this journey towards a more sustainable and equitable futureinGeorgia.
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.
“As someone who grew up in a household with over 20 turtles, this project is especially special to collaborate on. Gopher tortoises are a keystone species cherished for their remarkable ecological significance and influence on shaping the landscapes they inhabit. Gopher tortoises are expert architects, excavating intricate burrows that not only provide shelter for themselves but also create vital habitats for numerous other species. Restoring these lands in Georgia will go a long way toward supporting the proliferation of gopher tortoise populations, but more than that, it will serve as a testament to our collective dedication to safeguarding biodiversity.”
- Meghan Danny, Global Projects Support Specialist
Meghan Danny Global Projects Support Specialist
Stephanie Rochemont Project Manager
Canada & Northeast US
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided in this report is self-reported by our planting partners and may be subject to their interpretation and reporting practices.