Together, GCPEP’s 19 public and private partners own and manage nearly 1.3 million acres, including 70% of the world’s remaining old-growth longleaf pine habitats, with some trees aged at 500 years.
GCPEP’s work to conserve and protect longleaf pine benefits rare species associated with longleaf including gopher tortoise, reticulated flatwoods salamander, and the Florida bog frog, which are found nowhere else in the world. While pursuing their individual missions, the partners address the overlapping goals of protecting and managing the exceptional biodiversity of the GCPEP landscape. Due to the management and restoration efforts of the GCPEP partners, significant progress has been made with the recovery of this diverse ecosystem and the unique plants and animals found within. GCPEP is led by a Steering Committee and supported by staff who work with partners to implement priority projects. This progressive partnership demonstrates that organizations with different missions can cooperate to achieve success under the common goal of landscape-scale ecosystem conservation.
Cooperation Drives Conservation
The partnership has developed voluntary conservation strategies that ensure protection of upland and aquatic habitats. Strategies include protection of unique natural communities such as steephead ravines and seepage slopes and rare species such as Red-cockaded Woodpecker, gopher tortoise, and reticulated flatwoods salamander. Since the formation of GCPEP, conservation accomplishments include the development of a landscape-level conservation plan, which guides the protection of key buffer lands and wildlife corridors. Critical management tools include use of prescribed fire through interagency efforts to restore natural communities and removal of invasive species. GCPEP acknowledges the importance of public support of conservation, and develops public education programs and strives to provide recreational opportunities including trails for public access to view and enjoy these beautiful habitats.