Conserving the Natural World for the Next Generation
July 2, 2021
Meet Ronald Henderson
This week The Longleaf Alliance is sending off Ronald Henderson III as he transitions to his new adventure with The Nature Conservancy. Thank you, Ronald, for your hard work with TLA this past year. Best of luck!
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE LONGLEAF ALLIANCE?
I’m a seasonal wetland restoration technician. I go in the wetlands, clear out unnecessary brush so the salamanders can thrive!
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN CONSERVATION?
I got into conservation through Gulf Corp after high school where I found a new love for prescribed fire and the importance to native ecosystems. My next step is to work as a steward technician with The Nature Conservancy and one day, I hope to become a burn boss and burn and own my own land.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR BEST MOMENTS ON THE JOB?
My favorite day on the job was finishing a pond we call Banana pond, an important wetland on our work site. Lots of thorns, smilax everywhere. We worked all summer in the heat restoring this wetland, so the best part was finishing it up and moving on to the next one! Hard work pays off!
WHAT’S SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I have a son who is almost one year old. I want to preserve nature so that my son can see how beautiful this planet is.
WHAT DO YOU WISH PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD ABOUT LONGLEAF?
Longleaf pine needles are made to burn - they are so aromatic.
The people living and working in longleaf pine have a diversity of jobs, backgrounds, personal experiences, and interests. The People of Longleaf series strives to share these voices so that everyone interested in longleaf feels welcome, respected, and valued for the perspectives they bring to the table.
Just as every tract of land and habitat is unique, so are The Longleaf Alliance staff and the people we serve.