Betsy Purdum Longleaf Pine planted on Tide Swamp

Management

Restoration of the sandhill community on Big Bend is challenging, expensive, and will take many years as virtually all the area was altered by clearcutting, close planting of slash, sand, or loblolly pine, and fire suppression. The diversity of plants and animals found in a sandhill community has been eliminated as little grows beneath the rows of planted pines. Without food or cover, wildlife is scarce.

Portions of disturbed sites are managed to benefit wildlife that thrives in early successional communities-southeastern American kestrel, red-shouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, barred owl, great horned owl, eastern meadowlark, eastern bluebird as well as deer, turkey, quail, and dove.

In cooperation with the Division of Forestry, FWC is restoring a portion of Tide Swamp. First the slash, sand, and loblolly pines are removed, then longleaf seedlings are planted. As the longleaf grows, periodic prescribed fires are conducted to reduce fuels, recycle nutrients, and minimize competition for moisture. The ultimate goal is an open pine stand with diverse groundcover and wildlife.

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