Greener Initiative

Environmental conservation and restoration program focused on native plant restoration in Florida State Parks.

Geographic Scope: Florida

Focus Areas:

• Longleaf pine tree planting and restoration
• Native species habitat restoration
• State park landscape restoration
• Climate and conservation efforts

Notable Program - Plant a Pine:

• Goal: Plant 100,000 longleaf pine trees by Earth Day 2021 (April 22)
• Launched: Earth Day 2020
• Funding received: $50,000 from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund (as matching grant, effectively $100,000)
• Over 80,000 longleaf pine seedlings planted across Florida state parks
• Seedlings planted in 10 different State Parks in coordination with Florida Park Service
• Restoration priority: Torreya State Park (devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018)

Ecological Importance:

• Longleaf pine native to Southeast; once covered 90 million acres, now less than 3% of original range
• Mature longleaf ecosystems support 30+ endangered and threatened species including red-cockaded woodpeckers, gopher tortoises, and indigo snakes
• Fire-adapted species requiring prescribed burning for ecosystem health

Public Participation:

• Donors can dedicate trees to loved ones
• Groups can participate in hands-on tree planting projects
• For every $1 donated, one longleaf pine seedling planted (with matching grants)

Funder: Florida State Parks Foundation, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund