Land Trust for Louisiana, with partners from the forest industry, state agencies, and conservation organizations, hosted a Longleaf Pine Workshop and Field Trip this week in Franklinton, Louisiana.

The event brought landowners, conservationists, and forestry professionals together to celebrate and learn about one of the South’s most iconic native landscapes — the longleaf pine ecosystem.

Attendees explored stands of longleaf pine in nearby Lee Memorial Forest that have stood tall for over a century. Experts Latimore Smith (Southern Wild) and Rick Jacob (Jacob Ecological Consulting and Land Trust for Louisiana) debated the height of one towering pine estimated to be around 110 years old, which continues to thrive thanks to ongoing conservation efforts.

The workshop focused on the ecological importance and restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem — once dominant across the Southeast, but now covering less than five percent of its historic range. Attendees learned about:

• The tree’s unique “grass stage,” when young pines focus on root growth before shooting skyward.
• How prescribed fire plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy longleaf pine forests.
• The diverse wildlife habitat these open pine savannas support, from quail to countless pollinators and small mammals.

Longleaf pine restoration isn’t just about preserving trees; it’s about reviving an entire ecosystem that sustains biodiversity, protects clean water, builds soil health, and strengthens rural economies — all while providing income opportunities for landowners committed to sustainable forestry.

We are deeply grateful to everyone working to ensure that longleaf’s legacy continues in Louisiana, for generations to come.

Learn more about how Land Trust for Louisiana works with landowners to protect and restore longleaf pine on their property:

Photos by Land Trust for Louisiana, Southern Wild, and partners.