“Friends of the Longleaf Pines is a self-governed, nonprofit organization that aims to have a positive impact on both the lives of its members and citizens….”

Aside from the overwhelming amount of memories connected to this forest, there are legitimate, factual reasons that this forest shouldn't be developed. To choose to ignore these reasons is downright unacceptable (and quite frankly, embarrassing).

This land is home to several endangered and threatened species. Among these are longleaf pines (the tall, easily distinguishable trees found everywhere in this forest). According to the National Wildlife Federation,

"Longleaf pines, which once covered an estimated 90 million acres, now cover less than 3 percent of their original range."

"More than 30 endangered and threatened species... rely on longleaf pines for their habitat."

Due to the massive number of species relying on longleaf pines, it'd be negligent at best to even consider selling this property as it is a current sought-after site for development. To read more about the importance of longleaf pines, please stop by the Longleaf Pine Savannahs page.

As aforementioned, this land is not only home to endangered species, but also the irreplaceable memories of the people who have visited it over the 51 years since its opening in 1970. People alike have made lifelong friends and had timeless experiences within this land over the years. If you visited this forest, a weekend or just a day event, you never forgot the looming longleaf pines or the trails you got lost on. Before the announcement to sell, no one in the local community ever questioned a life without this land. Even the consideration of selling this land is a blindside and nothing short of pure betrayal.