SECAS brings together public and private organizations around a bold vision for the future of our region. We're connecting the lands and waters of the Southeast and Caribbean to support healthy ecosystems, thriving fish and wildlife populations, and vibrant communities. With a data-driven spatial plan and an ambitious regional goal, SECAS helps accelerate conservation action in the places where it will make the biggest impact.
From the blog
-
Gordon Myers, Landscape Conservation Coordinator for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) presents on the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's NextGen Business Plans at the 11th annual SECAS symposium at the Southeast AFWA annual conference. Photo by Michael Fedoroff. And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming
Whew! What did we miss?
When the lapse in federal appropriations began on October 1st, I don’t think any of the SECAS staff team imagined it would last until mid-November. SECAS receives significant investment from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, largely through staff capacity. So while the partnership carried on, as furloughed federal employees, all the staff had to step away from our desks for the duration of the 44-day shutdown.
But now we’re back–and very pleased to return to our regularly scheduled SECAS programming. We want to catch everyone up on some updates and upcoming adjustments as we work to get things back on track!
Read more... -
Falkland State Conservation Area and Southside Savanna Natural Area Preserve in Halifax County, formerly known as Falkland Farms. Photo from VA DCR press release. Largest Piedmont savanna in the Eastern United States now protected and to be managed by Virginia Natural Heritage Program
Grassland and savanna ecosystems continue to be the most off-track for achieving the SECAS goal. That said, there are also many bright spots and exciting success stories across the Southeast. One of those bright spots was made possible by the largest private land donation ever to the state of Virginia. Now the largest Piedmont savanna in the Eastern United States is not only protected, but will be managed by the Virginia Natural Heritage Program. So many people put the hard work into making this happen and this is a big win for conservation.
Read more... -
Part of the Wolf River State Forest, this second generation white oak orchard is nearly unduplicated anywhere in the nation. It is part of a cutting-edge research project where hardwood seed orchards are being developed to improve seedling quality and where these same lineages are being tested in out-plantings. The new state forest has several thousand trees in a study that is laying new silvicultural foundations in hardwood forest management. Photo by Annelise Brueher, used with permission of TN Division of Forestry. Celebrating Tennessee’s newest state forest: Wolf River State Forest
Last year, SECAS staff provided Blueprint support to a U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy grant application for the acquisition of a large working forest property in western Tennessee. The Southeast region of the U.S. Forest Service encourages states to cooperate with SECAS and use the Blueprint in their Forest Legacy grant proposals. The grant was successful—to the tune of almost $17 million, leveraged with more than $7 million in state funds and private contributions. As a result, earlier this year we were able to celebrate the acquisition and establishment of Tennessee’s 16th state forest—Wolf River State Forest. Congratulations to the TN Division of Forestry and their partners on this huge conservation success!
Read more...
Visit the SECAS blog for a full archive of posts.