The FSU Coastal & Marine Lab recognizes the intimate connection between land and sea and is engaged in restoring a 25-acre stand of pine forest imbedded in a 72-acre tract that includes a long-leaf pine stand, scrub communities, and brackish and freshwater wetlands, woven around and over a stream that runs from the forest to the waterfront. Historically, longleaf pine forests, home to richly diverse flora and fauna, once dominated the coastal plain in the southeastern United States. Over exploitation of the trees and intensive fire suppression resulted in the loss of 97% of pre-settlement Longleaf forests, leaving only 3% remaining today. Re-introducing fire to this community helps restore the forest to its former diversity and provides a window to that transformation for students of all ages.

Restoration of this pine forest started two years ago, when a dedicated group of wonderful volunteers painstakingly hand-cleared the pine needle “fuel” and overgrowth from the bases of longleaf pine trees, readying the forest for its first burn scheduled for Fall 2017 using funds raised during last year’s Great Give.

Building on that generous base, we propose this year to raise funds to create a nature trail that will have a kiosk at the head describing the importance of fire to forests like these, and interpretive signs along the way identifying key components of the plant and animal communities and the linkages between land and sea. The restored forest will provide significant opportunities for research as well as opportunities for students of all ages to get back to nature.