As we pulled up to the 58-acre Lanier tract in Brunswick County on an overcast morning, a delicate haze of smoke drifted across the landscape and the smell of freshly burned pine crept into the cabin of our vehicle. Marty Lanier, the landowner, was quick to greet us, explaining that he had finished a controlled burn on the property the day before. As you would expect of any landowner, Marty is proud of his property and it became obvious during our tour how much he enjoys sharing this space with his family and friends. Honestly, who wouldn’t be excited to share the stunning assemblage of multiple generations of Longleaf Pines that now dominate this forested landscape?
However, without Marty’s passion and dedication, these Longleaf Pines and the highly specific ecological niche that they provide for vulnerable wildlife, such as the endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker, may have fallen victim to nonnative species encroachment and habitat loss. Historically, wildfires among Longleaf pine savannahs are naturally and frequently occurring events that play a crucial role in controlling the understory growth and the early developmental stages of Longleaf Pines. Unfortunately, due to habitat fragmentation and human impact, controlled burns are often necessary in order to replicate the natural and frequent exposure to fire and promote healthy growth.
In appreciation of Marty’s efforts, he was being inducted into the North Carolina Longleaf Honor Roll that day. The program recognizes private landowners who are working to improve stands and balance all the values of a longleaf forest – wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and recreation as well as wood products. He received a plaque as well as a sign to post on his property gate in a display of appreciation and acknowledgement for this accomplishment. As he accepted this gift from the NC Forest Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the NC Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the NC Coastal Land Trust, he simply stated that he enjoys doing the work, and will continue to do it.
You don’t always have the opportunity to meet a landowner that is just as dedicated to conservation as those of us who have made it our career focus but when you do, you can’t help but feel the warmth and camaraderie that comes from adding a new member to a team driven to accomplish the same goal. To some, Marty’s freshly burned property might have looked like an apocalyptic wasteland, but to us, and more importantly to Marty, it was the land of conservation opportunities and Marty Lanier didn’t hesitate.
Submitted by Kenneth Lingerfelt, GIS Specialist/Stewardship Associate
