CDN Working Group Recognized

Congratulations to the Northeast Texas CDN’s Shortleaf Pine Working Group, recently recognized by the Shortleaf Pine Initiative at their 5th Biennial Conference in Van Buren, MO, for distinguished contributions to the restoration and management of shortleaf pine forests, woodlands, and ecosystems. 

The concept of an open pine working group began in 2012-13 by a group of CDN partners with a vision for restoration of the open pine ecosystem. This team’s collective interest soon evolved to become a focused and efficient NETX CDN Shortleaf Pine Working Group. This working group has been an influential cog within the NETX CDN ever since those early discussions, promoting restoration of shortleaf pine through outreach, education and training, galvanizing effective development for conservation delivery personnel using solid training strategies, field days for sharing successful technique and developmental seminars.  By 2016, their influence helped direct resources towards on-the-ground delivery, and the opportunity for new funding became a reality through the NETX Habitat Incentive Program (HIP). Today, collective resources (money and people) are focused on wildlife conservation within the shortleaf pine ecosystem in NETX. Annual meetings, communication and field days have continued every year since 2016, with attendance at single events exceeding 100 people. 

This conservation success story has influenced the NETX CDN open pine priority bird habitat effort with emphasis on shortleaf pine restoration (completed or planned) on over 12,000 acres through directed funding from many sources exceeding $500,000.

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