On March 16, volunteers from the Kentucky River Chapter planted 900 shortleaf pine seedlings on public land within the Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF) as part of the Peter’s Branch Stewardship Agreement between RGS & AWS and the DBNF. This agreement allows RGS & AWS to improve forest habitat diversity on hundreds of acres of the DBNF’s London Ranger District, including the creation of oak-pine woodlands.
Oak-pine woodlands are an open-canopy forest type that provides a mix of low cover and abundant forage for wildlife. These once-common ecosystems have become rare due to changes in land management and outbreaks of southern pine beetle. The habitat day utilized volunteers and contractors to plant a total of 15,900 shortleaf pine seedlings, enhancing the habitat established by a suite of other commercial and noncommercial forest management activities, all of which will ultimately create 103 acres of oak-pine woodland. These woodlands will sit on ridgetops between adjacent coves, providing the habitat diversity that’s critical for ruffed grouse and numerous other wildlife species.
Four Kentucky River Chapter members, two RGS & AWS employees, and one canine companion participated in the volunteer workday. After a foggy start, the sun came out, and the team enjoyed spending a beautiful spring morning accomplishing some great hands-on conservation!
Learn more about habitat work in the Southern Appalachian Region.
