Training of nrcs staff ensuring a sound foundation in longleaf pine management. Outreach and technical assistance to producers. Verification of installed practices 2 years post implementation

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded a $150,000 Cooperative Agreement to The Longleaf Alliance Inc. under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (CFDA 10.912) to support longleaf pine management initiatives across Alabama. The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, funds three primary deliverables: training of NRCS staff to establish foundational competency in longleaf pine management practices; outreach and technical assistance to private landowners and forest producers on sustainable longleaf pine management; and verification of installed conservation practices at two years post-implementation to assess practice effectiveness and durability.

The Longleaf Alliance, a nonprofit conservation organization headquartered in Andalusia, Alabama, and recognized as a trusted partner in forest management and endangered species recovery throughout the southeastern United States, will leverage its technical expertise to strengthen NRCS capacity while providing direct producer support. This cooperative agreement aligns with EQIP's dual mandate to promote agricultural production and environmental quality, with particular emphasis on wildlife habitat conservation and sustainable forestry practices on non-industrial private forest lands within the longleaf pine ecosystem range.