ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
Grant: $1,742,000 - Forest Service - Aug. 21, 2009
100% voted satisfied - 0% voted not satisfied - 2 vote(s) cast
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Award Description: As part of a regional, 5-state Longleaf pine restoration initiative, the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources will concentrate ARRA efforts in six program focus areas: 1). Public Land Management: the majority of restoration activity will occur on Bladen Lakes State Forest. Goals include establishment of Longleaf pine on 700 acres; establishment of 300 acres of understory ground cover vegetation on up to 300 acres of Longleaf pine stands; conduct prescribed burning on 6,300 acres of Longleaf pine stands; conduct midstory reduction stand improvement on 300 acres of Longleaf pine stands. Work will be accomplished by hiring 5 temporary employees and through contracting with vendors. 2). Longleaf Seed Capacity: 73 acres of improved Longleaf pine seed orchards will be improved. Tree improvement activities will be conducted to include rogueing and identifying family selections for inclusion into the planned second generation orchard, and progeny testing those selections. 3). Longleaf Seed Capacity: Longleaf seedling capacity at Claridge State Forest Nursery will be increased by 4.2 million container cells annually. major activities include construction of a new T-Rail and irrigation system. 4). DFR will develop the capacity to grow understory plant material (containerized) and include as a new line of plant material to be offered for sale to the public. Primary customers are expected to be those implementing Longleaf Pine ecosystem restoration projects. 5). Planning: 1 FTE position will be created (Grant and contract administrative assistant) shared with DFR's Forest protection Section, to coordinate administrative grant and contract activities associated with this ARRA Longleaf project and DFR's Wildfire fuels mitigation ARRA project (2 FTE total). Funding will be utilized to aqcuire the services of a Longleaf Program Coordinator (1 FTE) to oversee development and implementation of a strategic framework for Longleaf pine restoration in NC, and to oversee education and outreach efforts. 6). Education and Outreach: The services of an Education and Outreach Coordinator will be acquired. Goals are to offer targeted education and materials on Longleaf pine management and restoration to landowners, partner agencies and conservation organizations, and professional resource managers. Support will be provided to send 25 foresters/natural resource managers to the Longleaf Academy sessions being conducted by the Longleaf Alliance in Alabama.
Project Description: Planning for the nursery expansion is underway. Engineering design plans are in development and required approvals are being sought. Budgets are being developed for the current state fiscal year and are being entered into the NCAS system. Job descriptions have been developed for the 5 temporary employees to work at BLSF in cooperation with the Bladen County Employment Security Commission Office. Requests are being submitted to create the new positions. Once approved, ESC will coordinate advertising the positions. Preparation has begun to research costs for equipment and supply purchases and identify sources and vendors. Meetings have been held with Department administration staff regarding purchasing and contracting procedures related to ARRA funding. Discussions and planning with partners is underway regarding the planning and education/outreach components.
Jobs Summary: Anticipated job creation and retention includes employees, contractors and laborers involved in tree planting, forest improvement work, nursery workers, equipment and material suppliers, conservation planners and coordinators, media specialists and educators. (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Aug. 21, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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