Longleaf Ridge Master Naturalists

Read what a Texas master naturalist does at txmn.org

Each Eco-region of the state has a master naturalist volunteer organization to assist AgriLife Agents and Texas Parks and Wildlife personnel to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources.

The Longleaf Ridge Master Naturalist chapter of Texas Master Naturalists is located in one of the most heavily wooded areas of East Texas, surrounded by 3 lakes: Lake Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend and Dam B (aka Lake Steinhagen).

It is just a few miles north of the Big Thicket National Preserve. The wild Neches River is the western boundary of Jasper County, and the Sabine River is the eastern edge of Newton County. Martin Dies Jr. State Park is where most classes and club meetings take place. It is 11 miles west of Jasper on Hwy 190, heading toward Woodville.

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) is native to the southeastern United States, found primarily from Virginia to Florida and reaching westward. Jasper and Newton counties are on the westernmost edge of that range.

Longleaf pines are slow growing and adapted to a fire ecology. A longleaf pine seedling may spend several years in the grass stage, where the needles look like a dark green clump of grass no more than a foot tall. Historically, whenever fire wiped out competing for brush species, the fire-resistant seedlings would break dormancy and grow rapidly until they dominated the forest.

In the 20th century, logging removed much of the old growth longleaf pines and timber managers replanted with faster growing species of southern pine. However, longleaf pine forests are host to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. The longleaf pine ecosystem is known as a fire climax community. Several organizations and timber management companies are working to restore longleaf pines in their native range.

Read more at the USDA Forest Service’s website: http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/20672