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5th Biennial Shortleaf Pine Conference Wrap-Up and Current EventsLike of all of you, our lives have sure changed in just a few weeks. Please practice social distancing, wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, and follow guidelines within your agency or organization. Last fall, we held our 5th Biennial Shortleaf Pine Conference last October in Van Buren, Missouri. Over 150 attendees were there from across the country representing federal and state agencies, numerous organizations, private consultants, and landowners. The presentations were pertinent and the facility (The Landing at Current River) was perfect. During the conference, the East Texas Shortleaf Pine Working Group was awarded the Shortleaf Pine Conservation Award for their "distinguished contributions to the restoration and management of shortleaf pine forests, woodlands and ecosystems." Many of you took the time to provide us with valuable feedback, which we'll utilize for planning the 6th Biennial Shortleaf Pine Conference scheduled for October, 2021 in North Carolina. The SPI Communication Plan was rolled out at the conference, and plans are underway to start the process of updating the original Shortleaf Pine Restoration Plan in the coming year. The original plan was released in 2016 and was intended to cover a five-year period. The new plan will cover a 10-year restoration horizon. In the meantime, please take a look a the SPI website www.shortleafpine.net for updates, follow the SPI social media on Facebook or Twitter, and check out the webinars available through www.forestrywebinars.net, hosted by Southern Regional Extension Forestry and supported by numerous sponsors. |
