MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: Covering a wide range of topics, such as the anatomy of the longleaf tree, its history (and revival), and the surrounding fauna and flora, the authors provide the general reader with a thorough understanding of a forest that used to stretch as far as the eye could see. They claim that although the remnants of this once-great longleaf pine forest exist, they are often just a reminder of its former majesty, only recognizable to the informed observer. The Forest That Fire Made is dedicated to introducing the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts to many of the unique animals and plants that their ancestors would have known.
This guide includes three hundred color images of the flora and fauna that make longleaf pine forests their habitat and more than forty detailed drawings that document the most common species of animals, plants, and insects found there. It also describes more than forty longleaf pine forests to visit in nine southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. In these preserved areas (many of which are publicly accessible), one can still experience the majesty of these once-dominant ecological communities.
CAROL DENHOF is the president of the Longleaf Alliance, where she leads the organization in guiding the restoration, stewardship, and conservation of the longleaf pine ecosystem. Throughout her career, much of her work has been closely linked to longleaf and specifically to the many groundcover plant species that are so important to a healthy longleaf forest. She lives in Saint Simons Island, Georgia.
JOHN MCGUIRE is the director of the Private Lands Fire Initiative at Tall Timbers, Inc. Prior to that he served in various capacities with private industry, many of which were responsible for bringing fire back to the South’s landscape. He also served as the outreach coordinator at the Longleaf Alliance. He lives in Auburn, Alabama.
THE MISSION OF COASTAL WILDSCAPES is to connect residents to the habitats of coastal Georgia and empower them to be stewards of their natural environment. Their goals are to educate target audiences about native habitats, provide tools to empower ecologically based decision-making, and foster a culture that values biodiversity. Coastal WildScapes is a 501 (c)(3) organization formed in 2009 to address the increasing need to educate and engage the public in practices that will preserve the biodiversity of the Georgia coast. They are run by an all volunteer board and one part time staff person.
THE LONGLEAF ALLIANCE works throughout the Southeast U.S. to guide longleaf restoration, stewardship, and conservation using science-based outreach, partnership engagement, and on-the-ground assistance. LLA was established in 1995 by Rhett Johnson and Dean Gjerstad as interest in longleaf ecosystems and the longleaf pine tree itself was growing rapidly, but there was no outlet available for people to connect, learn, and share their efforts. The LLA was created with the express purpose of coordinating a partnership between private landowners, forest industries, state and federal agencies, conservation groups, researchers, and other enthusiasts interested in managing and restoring longleaf pine forests for their ecological and economic benefits.