This longleaf pine restoration site supports a variety of upland species, including northern bobwhites, gopher tortoises and southern fox squirrels. These species rely on the habitat’s open structure, with widely spaced trees, native grasses and wildflowers for nesting and foraging. To maintain these conditions prescribed fire is used to reduce dense mid-story hardwoods. This allows sunlight to reach the forest floor and encourages the growth of native groundcover. In turn, plant diversity increases, supporting the foraging and nesting needs of many wildlife species.

By contributing your photo to this Chronolog station, you help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) document landscape changes and track the progress of restoration efforts at L. Kirk Edwards Wildlife Environmental Area.