Every two years, individuals, private landowners, land managers, wildlife biologists, conservation groups, consultants, university researchers, forestry professionals, agency and outreach personnel gather for the best and largest longleaf event in the nation: The Biennial Longleaf Conference.

The Biennial Longleaf Conference, hosted by The Longleaf Alliance, is a regional conference focused on the restoration and conservation of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem that once dominated the landscape of the southeastern United States. This year the Biennial Longleaf Conference will be held virtually. Award recipients will be recognized during a Virtual Awards Presentation at the conference Thursday, October 22, 2020. The presentation is of significant importance as the fourteen Regional Longleaf Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made exemplary contributions to longleaf restoration across the range.

Individual Awards & Award Recipients

The Bill Boyer Natural Resource Professional of the Year Award: recognizes a natural resource professional who has made outstanding contributions within the field of longleaf ecosystem conservation – David Printiss, The Nature Conservancy

The Palustris Corporate Achievement Award: recognizes a corporation with long-standing commitment toward conservation of the longleaf ecosystem – Resource Management Service, LLC

The Gjerstad/Johnson Landowner of the Year Award: recognizes a private landowner for ensuring the future of the longleaf ecosystem on private land – Richard, Charles, and Dohn Jr. Broadwell and posthumously Dohn Broadwell, Sr.

The Burner Bob Prescribed Fire Champion Award: recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding efforts in championing prescribed fire to ensure the future of the longleaf ecosystem on private land – Shan Cammack, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

True Longleaf Champion Awards: recognize a lifetime of dedication to the conservation and restoration of the South’s iconic forest – Robert Abernethy, Louis Bacon, Lynda Guerry Beam, Stella Osborn (posthumous honor), and William Pickens

Conservation Partner Awards & Award Recipients

Natural Resource Conservation Service Team Achievement Award: recognizes an NRCS team that has gone above-and-beyond the call of duty in delivering longleaf restoration for private landowners – Alabama NRCS.

Department of Defense Team Achievement Award: recognizes a DoD team that has excelled in managing and restoring the longleaf ecosystem on Military Installations – DoD Team at Tyndall Air Force Base.

US Fish and Wildlife Service Team Achievement Award: recognizes a USFWS team for their exemplary management and restoration of the longleaf ecosystem for wildlife. – USFWS Team at Tyndall Air Force Base.

USDA Forest Service Team Achievement Award: recognizes a USDA FS team that has significantly improved and expanded the management and restoration of the Longleaf ecosystem on and around the National Forest System – Conecuh National Forest.

Non-Profit Conservation Partner Award: recognizes a non-profit organization that has significantly improved, protected and conserved the longleaf ecosystem – The Orianne Society.

The Longleaf Alliance extends our sincere gratitude to these teams and individuals for their positive efforts to conserve the longleaf forest. “We are honored to be able to recognize such an outstanding group of individuals and organizations this year. Each recipient, in their own way, has made significant impacts on longleaf pine ecosystems and we greatly appreciate their dedication to ensuring that these forests will continue to grow and thrive for years to come.” said Longleaf Alliance President, Carol Denhof.