Project abstractthe proposed project will utilize open pine management (creating a low basal area with herbaceous understory) to benefit the threatened louisiana pinesnake (pituophis ruthveni) as well…

This Cooperative Agreement, awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program (CFDA 15.631), will provide $109,000.00 to the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Incorporated to deliver a comprehensive suite of habitat restoration and enhancement activities in Louisiana's west-central longleaf pine and stream focus areas. Key project components include forest stand improvements, prescribed burning, herbaceous understory planting, stream barrier removal, riparian tree planting, erosion control, and instream channel modifications. These efforts will directly benefit the threatened Louisiana pinesnake and Louisiana pearlshell mussel, as well as other listed and at-risk species. The award has an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2028.

Project abstractthe proposed project will utilize open pine management (creating a low basal area with herbaceous understory) to benefit the threatened louisiana pinesnake (pituophis ruthveni) as well as other listed and at-risk species. Practices will include forest stand improvements, fire breaks, fuel reduction, prescribed burning, tree planting, herbaceous understory planting, and invasive species control. Stream restoration and enhancement work will be conducted to benefit the threatened louisiana pearlshell mussel (margaritifera hembeli) as well as several at-risk aquatic species. Practices will include fish passage projects (stream barrier removal and stream crossing improvements), riparian tree planting, erosion control, stream bank stabilization, stormwater and sediment management, and instream channel modifications. All work will be conducted in the louisianas west-central longleaf and streams focus area, including allen, beauregard, bienville, grant, jackson, natchitoches, rapides, sabine, vernon, and winn parishes.