Longleaf Pine Seedling Planting

Help The Nature Conservancy (TNC) plant longleaf pine seedlings at Piney Grove Preserve. In Virginia, Longleaf Pine was once a dominant canopy tree, and a keystone species in a diverse ecosystem. By the 1990’s, only 200 adult trees were left. TNC and partners are leading the way in restoring longleaf pine and the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers who call the preserve home.

We need 24 people to help plant the seedlings. Volunteers will work in teams of two with one person digging a small hole with a dibble bar, and one person dropping and planting the seedling. Detailed instructions and on-site training will be provided.

Volunteers must be comfortable walking in forested conditions carrying supplies (small seedlings & dibble bars/shovels), outside in various weather conditions, for about 3.5 hours.

We will meet at Adams' Peanuts & Country Store and caravan to the planting site together. Work is expected to go until about 4:00 p.m., or until all seedlings are planted. Please wear long sleeve pants and shirts, and sturdy closed toes boots or shoes as the ground can be slippery or wet. Bring water, lunch, and bug spray if desired. Mosquitos and ticks are common in this area.

This is a rain or shine event, but we will cancel if storms are severe.

Learn More

• TNC's Virginia Pinelands Program celebrates 25 years
• Virginia's Rarest Bird--Red Cockaded Woodpecker (video)
• Piney Grove Preserve
• Longleaf Pine
• Webinar: Good Fire: an ecological perspective

Questions? Contact Brynna Strand, Volunteer Coordinator, at brynna.strand@tnc.org.

Photo (c) Mark Schwenk