Source:  NCDA&CS, 7/23/19

The N.C. Forest Service joined others from the N.C. Longleaf Coalition to jointly recognize Duke Energy and Harris Lake County Park as part of the N.C. Longleaf Honor Roll. This prestigious award was presented for their efforts to manage longleaf pine with prescribed fire on 60-acres within the 684-acre public park, owned by Duke Energy and leased to Wake County Parks and Recreation. This recognition coincides with the park celebrating its 20th year.

The N.C. Longleaf Honor Roll was created by the N.C. Longleaf Coalition to recognize landowners who are working toward longleaf restoration while balancing all the values of the forest – producing wood products and wildlife habitat, and offering recreational opportunities. To be eligible for the Longleaf Honor Roll, Harris Lake County Park staff demonstrated active forest management, including following the recommendations in its forest management plan written by Derek Ware, forester with Duke Energy. Most notable are prescribed fire efforts, having conducted prescribed burns every two to three years since the longleaf pine was planted.

A native plant restoration effort, supported by Duke Energy, is also underway on-site.

Once the dominate pine species in the eastern half of North Carolina, longleaf pine experienced a drastic decline across the Southeastern U.S. until restoration efforts, like that at Harris Lake County Park, began reversing the trend. “It was the forethought of the Wake County Park planners and director many years ago that recognized a few mature longleaf pines on the property as an important resource and sought to expand them by developing the longleaf pine restoration area as part of the park,” said Christina Sorenson Hester, park manager for Harris Lake County Park and the American Tobacco Trail.

In addition to the longleaf management, Harris Lake County Park is an educational ambassador for longleaf in Wake County. Each year, over 150,000 visitors have the opportunity to hike to the longleaf pine stand or take part in an array of educational programs, the most notable being the annual Longleaf Festival. The festival, in its 10th year, recognizes the significance of longleaf pine ecosystems and the historical contribution of these forests to the Tar Heel state.

Duke Energy and Harris Lake County were nominated for the Longleaf Honor Roll by N.C. Forest Service personnel: District 11 Forester Jennifer Roach, Wake County Ranger Chris Frey, and Forest Fire Equipment Operator Jeff Ulrick. The N.C. Forest Service has collaborated with the Harris Lake longleaf restoration project since its early stages, providing prescribed fire assistance, forest management recommendations, and participating in the Longleaf Festival. “Prescribed fire is important for the forest and reduces risk of wildfire. When I started with the North Carolina Forest Service, my first fire was at Harris Lake and I have been involved in every prescribed burn here since. This group has worked hard to make it happen year after year,” Ulrick said.

To learn more about the N.C. Longleaf Coalition, visit: www.nclongleaf.org. If you’re interested in managing your forestland, contact your county ranger. Contact information can be found at: www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.