LONGLEAF PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL (LPC) MEETING MINUTES APRIL 2014 – BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

ATTENDEES:

Council Members

Robert Abernethy, TheLongleaf Alliance (LLA)Aaron Valenta, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Kevin McIntyre, Jones Ecological Research CenterLuke Lewis, Texas-Louisiana (TX-LA) Task Force

Troy Ettel, The Nature Conservancy (TNC)Doyle Shook, Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture

Don Morrow, The Trust for Public Land (TPL)*Andrew Schock, The Conservation Fund (TCF)

Mike Black, National Bobwhite Conservation InitiativeTiffany Woods, National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

Bonnie Stine, Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF)Hank McKinley, SGSF

Ken Arney, U.S. Dept. of Agr. (USDA) Forest Service (FS)James Tillman, Sr., USDA-Natural Resources Conservation

John Denton, for SE Assoc. of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Service (NRCS)

Vernon Compton, Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Bettina Ring, American Tree Farm System*

PartnershipJames West, Southern Forestry Management Nursery Coop.

Jim Guldin, USDA FS Southern Research StationGlenn Hughes, Mississippi State Extension Service

Jimmy Bullock, Resource Management Service Salem Saloom, Private Landowner

Gary Blair for Nat’l Assoc. of Conservation DistrictsGeorge Gay, Dept. of Defense (DoD)

Laurie Gharis, Ph.D., North Carolina State UniversityLuAnn Craighton forChattahoochee Fall Line Conservation

Partnership

Others

Glen Gaines, USDAFSWendy Jo Ledbetter, TNC

Lark Hayes, Lark Consulting*Jessica Rhodes, USFWS

John Dondero, USDA FSClarence Coffey, Shortleaf Pine Initiative

David Byrd, USFWSRyan Mitchell, LLA

Ben Larson, NWFTom Darden, Darden Consulting

Nancy Walters, FacilitatorMark Hainds, LLA

Stephanie Hertz, Texas A&M UniversityLuther Jones, USDA-NRCS

Clay Ware, USFWSDan Ryan, TNC

Thomas Farmer, TNCKent Evans, TX – LA Task Force

Suzanne Sessine, Nat’l Fish & Wildlife Fdn (NFWF)Hervey McIver, TNC

Rex Jones, Southern Documentary ProjectKeith Tassin, Talledega-Mountain Longleaf Pine Conservation

Greg Knecht, TNCPartnership

Jon Scott, NFWFAmanda Bassow, NFWF

Trudy Fisher, MSDept. of Environ. Quality (MDEQ)Gregory Ruark, USFS Southern Research Station

Cheryl Millett, TNCDavid Printiss, TNC

David Herneska, TNC Keith Tassin, TNC

Brian Pelc, TNCAd Platt, LLA

Charlie Morgan, Mississippi Forestry Commission

*By Teleconference

SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS:

  1. Membership: Kevin McIntyre will send an e-mail inviting ideas for candidates to fill behind LPC members rotating off this year. Goal is to have both old and new members attend the October meeting.
  2. Tracking Longleaf Establishment: Clay Ware and Glen Gaines will convene a small working group to study where seedlings are going and how to track establishment numbers.
  3. IUCN Red Listing: Robert Abernethy will continue to watch this issue. Let him know if you want to be involved in future discussions.
  4. Maintenance Condition Class: Council agreed to adopt the proposed new draft of the definition and guidelines as a tool to help quantify forests in that category for future assessments. Suggested modifications were (1) to include photos that show the condition being defined, and (2) add some way to indicate that management shows intent to move toward maintenance condition class. (Clay Ware and Jim Guldin)
  5. Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): NFWF invited participation in a work group to further explore a role for the Longleaf Stewardship Fund (LSF)/NFWF in the NRCS competitive RCPP. (Interest shown byAndrewSchock, Kevin McIntyre, Clay Ware, Robert Abernethy, Stephanie Hertz, Brian Pelc, Jimmy Bullock, Bonnie Stine, Troy Ettel, Luther Jones, Tom Darden, John Dondero)
  6. Communication Strategy: Council agreed to engage DJ Case in the development of a framework for a communication strategy that will focus on years 6-10 of the ALRI, and most immediately on this year’s 5-year anniversary celebrations. The strategy will be developed and implemented by and through the LPC partner organizations and agencies. Targeting the weeks of May 19, May 26, and June 9 to convene LPC members and associated communications expertise with one-on-one phone interviews leading up to that workshop.
  7. DC Celebrations: Council was supportive of the move to host a 5-year Anniversary Celebration in D.C. in June or July. Volunteers were requested to assist with recruitment of attendees. (Interest shown by Bettina Ring, LPC Communications committee, FCC, Robert Abernethy, Luther Jones, Ben Larson, Julie Sibbing, Bonnie Stine, Salem Saloom, Troy Ettel, Vernon Compton, Suzanne Sessine, Glen Gaines)
  8. Large Private Landowner Letter of Support: Council would like to table the discussion and revisit during the next Council meeting.

MEETING MINUTES

Meeting Purpose

We gather twice a year to promote broader understanding, coordination of, and participation in ongoing activities in support of longleaf pine restoration within the longleaf range, and attend to the business of the Council.

Desired Outcome

Council members are working in concert to facilitate the accomplishment of longleaf pine restoration activities consistent with the goals of the Range-wide Conservation Implementation Plan. Those involved in longleaf conservation feel supported by the larger community of partners, are fully aware of various activities each are involved in, and are effective in their individual efforts because of the Initiative taken by the whole.

Monday, April 7, 2014

1:00 pmWelcome (Mike Black, Chair)
Process Overview/ Logistics (Nancy Walters, Facilitator)
Check-in
  • Self-introductions around the room and then a chance for Council members to offer any announcements/significant things happening/expectations for this meeting.

2:00 pmBusiness Meeting
Report from the Chair
  • The first day of the LPC meeting discusses the impressive accomplishments that the Council and partners have achieved in 2013. Conversely, the second day of the meeting discusses challenges. In addition to maintaining the positive work that we have been doing, we need to focus increased efforts on private lands, including large landowners. The Council as a whole needs to wrestle with a variety of challenges such as initiative fatigue, how to secure new funding sources, how to increase prescribed burning on private lands, how to reach landowners, and how to develop a comprehensive communications strategy. Although we have turned the corner in acreage of longleaf, we can’t stop now. To move forward effectively, the Council will need to debate some difficult issues.
Old Business
  • Kevin McIntyre provided background information on the 11 rotating positions within the Council on2-year terms. As an update, Jim Guldinhas agreed to replace Lisa Samuelson’s vacancy. The Council roster still has some existing openings, and leadership will be speaking with the various group representations for nominations. Upcoming rotations also include Jimmy Bullock, Glenn Hughes, and Salem Saloom. Kevin is asking for nominations or suggestions by July 1st so that he can reach out to potential successors and also invite them to the next Council meeting in October.
  • ACTION ITEM: Kevin will send an e-mail inviting ideas for candidates to fill behind LPC members rotating off this year. Goal is to have both old and new members attend the October meeting.
New Business
  • The Council discussed the 2013-2015 Strategic Priorities and Actions document and the need for the next three-year timeframe document. The 2013-2015 document took approximately one year to complete. In the Fall 2014 Council meeting, the Council should form a working group to focus on updating these priorities and actions so that a new document can be ready for the 2016-2018 timeframe.
  • A suggestion was raised to coordinate an upcoming Council meeting with the 2015 Society of American Foresters meeting in Baton Rouge, LA. The idea of a field tour devoted to longleaf was also raised.

2:30 pm 2013 Range-wide Accomplishment Report (Glen Gaines)
  • Powerpoint presentation.
  • In 2012, the Council agreed to work on a report that showed accomplishments conducted by ALRI and its partners on both public and private lands. State coordination teamswerekeyto this effort, and state foresters provided a lot of leadership. There was good participation throughout the process, and federal agencies along with NFWF agreed to review the data for accuracy. The Council released the 2013 Accomplishments Report in February 2014 (also available online at The upward trend in longleaf acreage is based on Forestry Inventory Analysis data and is the result of a lot of hard work; however, America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative (ALRI) must continue to deal with the fact that longleaf is losing acres.
Findings:
  • 1.38 million acres of longleaf restoration work (planting, prescribed burning, mid-story treatments, etc.) occurred in FY13;
  • Number of local implementation teams (LITs) expanded to 15 and now cover all the identified significant geographic areas (SGAs) across the range. The number of LITs is expected to increase to 17;
  • 1.1 million acres of prescribed burning took place, nearly meeting ALRI’s overall annual goal for prescribed burning for all ownerships. Accomplishments on public lands are nearly in line with the overall annual goals, while much work is needed to increase prescribed burning on private lands;
  • 156,000 acres were established in 2013, exceeding the near-term annual goals for ALRI, with the large majority (86%) of these accomplishments occurring on private lands;
  • Approximately 70% of the overall accomplishments occurred within the SGAs;
  • Approximately 79% of the prescribed burning and 51% of the other improvement activities (mid-story treatments, invasive species treatments, and native understory plant establishment) are being accomplished in the SGAs;
  • Some 77% of the overall accomplishments occurred on public lands, with prescribed burning on National Forest System lands and military installations being a primary driver. The remaining 23% of the overall work took place on private lands, which contain 61% of the overall longleaf pine acreage;
  • Substantial progress is being made in attracting non-federal funds with $8 million in non-federal matching funds to the LSF in the past two years and an additional multi-year Forestland Stewards Initiative getting underway.
Recommendations:
  • Place emphasis on increasing the acreage of prescribed burning and other improvement activities on private lands;
  • Increase the capacity and coordination of private landowner technical assistance and outreach. Explore the economics and incentives for increasing the involvement of medium and large private landowners in the longleaf restoration effort;
  • Continue to support the LITs and the development of SGA conservation planning and mapping efforts;
  • Incorporate processes for tracking and monitoring changes in the condition classes for longleaf pine forests, which includes the release of longleaf maintenance condition class definitions;
  • Complete the ongoing coordinated effort to identify and map range-wide land protection priorities for longleaf pine. TNC, TCF, TPL, and the LITs are working to develop this product; and
  • Continue to increase corporate and other private funding through the LSF and pursue opportunities for longleaf restoration to contribute to Gulf Coast recovery efforts.

3:00 pm State Coordination Teams(Glen Gaines for Jim Hancock)
  • A state coordination team call was recently convened with all 9 states participating. Looking back at 2013, the group assessed what worked and what didn’t work when compiling accomplishment data. The group also looked ahead and identified what changes needed to be made for the 2014 Accomplishment Report. The group agreed on a process, definitions, and also a strategy for expenditures. For 2014, the number of acres will be collected and unit costs will be used to determine expenditures. One additional change is that the team will not collect LSF data and will instead rely on NFWF to report those estimates. State coordination teams will be aiming for an October 15thdeadline to submit accomplishment data, and will push for a publication date near the end of the year.
  • There is a recommendation to form a working group to track longleaf establishment acres and seedlings. The working group will aim to work with nursery coops to see where trees are being planted.
  • A suggestion was raised for a card to be sent out by nurseries with their seedlings. This might be a simple way to collect data.
  • An idea was also raised to coordinate with John Gilbert’s GIS work to see where longleaf pine is being planted.
  • ACTION ITEM: Clay Wareand Glenwill convene a small working group to study where seedlings are going and how to track establishment numbers.

3:30 pm IUCN Red Listing of Longleaf(Robert Abernethy)
  • Robert provided an update on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) “red listing” of longleaf pine as an endangered species. This listing occurred last October. The endangered designation from IUCN doesn’t carry the same legal weight as an endangered designation from USFWS (two different programs).
  • The red listing was discovered by Council members after a conversation with International Paper (IP). IP had been contacted by one of its buyers who wanted assurances that no longleaf pine fuel pellets were going to Europe.
  • Two international pine experts from United Kingdom and a USFS national botanist were involved in the determination. In January, the botanist appealed the red listing but was denied; the red listing was based on a 50-80% decline in longleaf population over the last three generations (around 90 years).
  • After reviewing the guidelines for IUCN classifications, a provision was found that stipulates that people reviewing the red list should not immediately assume that commercial use of a species is bad. Commercial use in many instances can actually help a species.
  • Robert and others are recommending the creation of a short document on the importance of using sustainable forest products as part of the longleaf pine restoration effort. A first draft is being reviewed right now. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative will fund the printing and distribution of that document. The timber industry will be able to use this with buyers in Europe as an educational document. There are numerous instances of species on the red list that have high commercial value.
  • ACTION ITEM: Robert will continue to watch this issue. Let him know if you want to be involved in future discussions.

3:40 pm Farm Bill Implications for Longleaf & NRCS Update(Luther Jones)
  • A new farm bill recently passed, and NRCS is waiting on policy and guidance to implement these new programs. Luther provided a general overview of farm bill programs that could potentially serve as funding sources for longleaf pine. Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and the RCPP will be important programs to watch.
  • The RCPP has consolidated programs. The purpose of RCPP is to encourage partners to come together and assist USDA and NRCS with implementing conservation efforts. Eligible activities include private forestland. RCPP is a competitive process with critical conservation areas (CCA) designated by the Secretary. USDA is currently working on guidelines for the Request for Proposals (RFP).
  • For CCAs, the Secretary may designate up to 8 areas and will give priority to agriculture production, water quality and quantity, etc.
  • The NRCS Longleaf Pine Initiative developed a Plan that follows the ALRI plan, identified priority counties near SGAs, and developed specific goals or targets. This Initiative plans to be strategic about conservation assistance, and plans to continue to offer assistance to private landowners through prescribed burning and tree establishment.

4:10 pm Fire and Smoke Management - SERPPAS(Laurie Gharis)
  • Powerpoint presentation.
  • Current (2013-2014) priority goals are increased training, enhanced smoke management/air quality, decreased liability, and adequate prescribed fire resources.
  • Current actions aimed at meeting are priority goals include online educational tools (smoke mgmt. mobile app, webinars, online curriculum, and interactive videos), options for prescribed fire resource sharing, field days, and innovative partnerships. Current actions have been supported through both the work group and multiple SERPPAS agencies.
  • Expectations for futureinclude a continued emphasis on the current priorities. Future action items to meet the priorities could include the development of prescribed burn associations, the collection of burn statistics so that liability information can be delivered to both private burners and insurance providers, support for landowner field days, andassistance for partnerships between the state and Department of Defense active duty fire fighters and/or between government agencies and universities to increase capacity. As the group moves forward, they will continue to work collaboratively with the multiple agencies, organizations, and individuals supporting prescribed fire throughout the longleaf pine range in hopes of increasing prescribed burning efficiently and effectively.

4:30 pm Maintenance Class Condition Report(Clay Ware)
  • Powerpoint presentation.
  • The Range-wide Conservation Plan calls for doubling the acreage of longleaf pine in the maintenance condition class. Clay presented a revised draft version of a longleaf maintenance condition class guide for discussion among the Council. This guide provides definitions to assist land managers and practitioners in assessing longleaf pine forests. Forests in the maintenance condition class have the potential to provide optimal ecological benefits for a wide range of plant and animal assemblages dependent on longleaf pine ecosystems, but it is not suggested that all land managers should strive to meet this condition.
  • Clay worked on this guide to assess optimal forest habitat conditions for associated plant and wildlife species. Trying to determine different condition classes for each longleaf pine age class is beyond the scope of this Council, so some assumptions were made. These definitions are for internal accounting purposes, and are not meant to serve as a “promotion” to landowners.
  • Council members raised concern about maintenance condition class definitions setting too high a standard for landowners. Some landowners could be deterred from planting longleaf.
  • ACTION ITEM: Council agreed to adopt the proposed new draft of the definition and guidelines as a tool to help quantify forests in that category for future assessments. Suggested modifications were (1) to include photos that show the condition being defined, and (2) add some way to indicate that management shows intent to move toward maintenance condition class. (Clay Ware and Jim Guldin)

Tuesday, April 8