Number: 2009-09
WHEREAS, the longleaf pine ecosystem once dominated the southeastern United States, encompassing more than 89 million acres in nine states from southeast Virginia to east Texas; and
WHEREAS, the longleaf pine ecosystem is one of the most ecologically diverse systems in the world – rivaling even tropical rainforests; and
WHEREAS, longleaf pine forests are home to some of the most rare and unique plants and animals on the continent including:
Approximately 900 plant species found in longleaf pine forests and nowhere else in the world
170 of the 290 reptiles and amphibians occurring in the Southeastern U.S.
26 federally listed endangered or threatened species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, gopher tortoise and flatwoods salamander; and
WHEREAS, the longleaf pine ecosystem is valued not only for its outstanding biodiversity and its habitat value, but also for its aesthetic appeal, for the quality of the longleaf pine lumber, and for its natural resistance to fire, insects, diseases, and wind; and
WHEREAS, longleaf pine is suitable for multiple management objectives, making it very attractive to private landowners; and
WHEREAS, longleaf pine could play a significant role in carbon sequestration; and
WHEREAS, today the longleaf pine forests are one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America with less than three percent of the original longleaf pine forests remaining; and
WHEREAS, research conducted by the USDA Southern Forest Resource Assessment estimates a further loss of as much as 19 million forest acres by 2040 within the historic range of longleaf pine from development and other conversion pressures if current trends continue; and
WHEREAS, restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem within its historic range is of high importance and the actions needed to achieve restoration are many and varied;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled April 30 – May 2, 2009, in Pittsburgh, PA, supports national, regional, and state efforts to advance landscape level restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem throughout its historic range in the southeastern United States.