On Earth Day, April 22, 2020, the Florida State Parks Foundation announced a goal of planting 100,000 longleaf pine trees by Earth Day 2021 (April 22). Florida’s longleaf forests have declined by more than 80% over the last century. For every $1 donated, the foundation will plant one longleaf pine seedling in a Florida State Park.
Since then, the foundation has raised more than $83,000 for the Plant a Pine program. The majority of the first round of seedlings were planted at Torreya State Park, which was devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018. Another batch was recently planted at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park.
The Florida State Parks Foundation received a $50,000 grant from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund for the Plant a Pine initiative. Bass Pro Shop’s contribution is a great example of private and public entities coming together to restore this critical ecosystem.
You can contribute to the foundation’s efforts by donating to the Plant a Pine project.
