Conservation Reserve Program
Longleaf Pine Initiative - CP36
The popular Conservation Reserve Program provides incentives for qualifying landowners to establish longleaf pine on previously cropped ground in a south-wide effort to restore the longleaf pine ecosystem over its native range that once encompassed 92 million acres. Today, less than 3 percent remains and the CRP Longleaf Pine Initiative seeks to establish longleaf pine on 250,000 acres across none southern states. In addition to planting longleaf pine, the Conservation Practice CP36 promotes the establishment of native warm season grasses (NWSG).
Several key provisions of the CRP Longleaf Pine Initiative involve control of non-native grasses (bermudagrass, bahiagrass, tall fescue ect.) before planting and establishment of NWSG following pine planting.
Information
Longleaf Pine CRP Establishment & Management Issues
Native Grasses for Wildlife Habitat
Native Warm Season Grasses for Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
Longleaf Pine and Native Warm-Season Grass Establishment
South-wide County Eligibility Map for the Conservation Reserve Program Longleaf Pine Initiative
CRP Longleaf Pine Initiative Fact Sheet
CRP-CP36 Field Check Guide for Native and Exotic Vegetation
Georgia Guidance Document for Selecting Sites for Planting NWSG CRP practice CP36