The Alabama Forestry Commission is harvesting loblolly pine stands that surround Frog Pond in White Plains, leaving the entrance to the seasonal habitat marred and impassable.
That is problematic for educators at Jacksonville State University, who have used the commission-owned pond as a learning center for school groups for at least 15 years. Now those educators want to work with the commission to restore the pathway and a working relationship that will allow more people to have access to the habitat in the years to come.
“What can we do from this point on to restore these losses?” said Bill Garland, who works for the Environmental Policy and Information Center at JSU and is the coordinator of a project meant to reestablish the longleaf pine. “We shouldn’t say it’s all lost.”
State Forester Greg Pate said he learned Monday that the recent harvest concerned some residents and that he plans to visit the pond with representatives of the JSU Field Schools later this month. “It will be nice to see it on the ground,” Pate said.
He said the state Forestry Commission is in the midst of harvesting 179 acres of loblolly pine in the land that surrounds Frog Pond, located east of Alabama 9 near its intersection with Joseph Springs Motorway. For the stands, which were planted decades ago to be harvested and generate money for the state agency, the commission will receive about $306,000 Pate said.
From The Anniston Star: https://www.annistonstar.com/news/article_51514dca-6ac2-11e4-b767-2bfe81f68946.html