Alabama is at a critical junction in
protecting its natural resources for the
future. At this point, cogongrass, one of
the world’s most aggressive non-native
invasive species, has been identified in 32
of our 67 counties, but it is very likely
that this noxious weed or its seed exists
throughout the state. The extent of the
current infestation is truly epidemic in the
southwest part of the state and rapid
advancement north is not conjecture, but
reality. Given the fact that cogongrass has
no natural or significant biological control
agents to deter spread, the plant’s ability
to expand beyond the state’s boundaries and
the propensity of the plant to overwhelm and
eliminate other native vegetation, drastic
measures are justified in order to prevent
ecological and economic disaster.
On another front, because of the diverse
values of longleaf pine forest, its
restoration has become an important point of
focus for the forest conservation community.
Longleaf pine forests once covered a vast
range from Texas to Virginia. Since that
time, this forest has been reduced to three
percent of historical acreage due to
conversion to other land uses and forest
types. Longleaf pine forests are highly
valued for their resistance to damage by
insects, diseases, wildfire, and storms, and
for their yield of high quality wood
products, biological diversity, and beauty.
In addition, research suggests that longleaf
pine forests may be highly adaptive to
anticipated effects of climate change, as
well as being capable of sequestering higher
amounts of carbon than alternative forest
types.
In May 2009, the Alabama Forestry
Commission (AFC) received word that the
agency was receiving two grants addressing
both of the above issues. These grants were
funded by the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA). To be consistent
with the purpose of the ARRA, the vision of
job creation and economic stimulus was of
paramount concern as programs were developed
for both grants.
In one of the single largest grants
awarded in the Southeast, the AFC was
allocated $6.281 million to begin the task
of controlling cogongrass. This grant will
be administered by the AFC, working in
cooperation with the Alabama Task Force on
Cogongrass within the context of the 2008
Cogongrass Memorandum of Understanding. The
focus of the entire program will be to
benefit landowners and citizens of Alabama
by implementing various strategies utilizing
qualified Alabamians equipped with
American-made tools and products. To be as
efficient as possible while generating the
most possible jobs, a balance between
utilizing hand labor and heavy machinery was
considered a viable and reasonable option in
the development of an operational plan. As
cogongrass infestations vary in scope across
Alabama, the strategy for control of the
plant will vary as well.
A second grant in the amount of $1.757
million was awarded for the Regional
Longleaf Pine Restoration Initiative.
Development of work priorities under this
grant also included consideration of job
creation and retention. Under this program,
state forestry agencies in Alabama, Georgia,
Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina
are putting Americans to work restoring
these valuable forests. Activities include
restoring longleaf pine on state owned and
private lands (including Geneva, Chocolocco,
Little River and Baldwin State Forests, as
well as Barbour County WMA); increasing
production capacity of longleaf pine seed,
seedlings, and native understory plants;
coordinating efforts across broad
partnerships; and providing educational
materials and training to the public and
staff. This work is helping to restore a
great American ecosystem while creating jobs
for contractors and laborers involved in
tree planting and forest improvement work,
nursery workers, conservation planners and
coordinators, media specialists, and
educators. Because needs in each state far
exceeded available funding, total funding
was divided equally among the five states
after regional needs were funded off the
top.
It is generally recognized that seed and
seedlings are and will remain a bottleneck
to the overall effort to restore the
longleaf ecosystem. By utilizing a
significant amount of the grant on State
Forests managed by the Alabama Forestry
Commission, the agency has the opportunity
to increase significantly areas where native
longleaf cones can be commercially
collected. Additional benefits include
enhancing esthetics, access, wildlife
habitat, threatened and endangered (T&E)
habitat and public recreation on these State
Forest lands. In addition to the focus on
cone production, the AFC will regenerate
significant acreage to longleaf on public
lands also being managed for multiple use
including timber management, recreation,
wildlife habitat and forest health. Other
projects will include assistance to
landowners interested in longleaf
restoration and educational workshops
targeted for landowners and consultants.
Linda Casey
State Forester
Alabama Forestry Commission