Florida Reforestation

Florida Reforestation

Read more about our tree planting projects in Florida

The Location

📍 Withlacoochee State Forest & Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, Florida, United States

Once dominating the southern coastal plain of North America, longleaf pine forests are among the most diverse ecosystems in the U.S.

These iconic landscapes are home to endangered and threatened species including the gopher tortoise, Florida panther, bald eagle, and sand skink, along with white-tailed deer, black bear, quail, and wild turkey.

However, longleaf pine ecosystems have suffered extreme loss—declining from 90 million acres to less than 3 million acres today. That’s just 3% of their original range.

Urbanization, land use conversion, overharvesting, and fire suppression have all contributed to the ecosystem's fragmentation, degrading biodiversity and forest health.

The Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, a heavily trafficked regional corridor, and Withlacoochee State Forest, home to a critical watershed, are now being restored to revive these vital landscapes.

The Problem

Longleaf pine ecosystems require frequent, low-intensity fire to thrive. Without fire, fast-growing competitors like oak take over, blocking sunlight and choking out native wiregrass and pine seedlings.

These forests are now dangerously fragmented, and their degradation leads to:

As biodiversity fades and natural carbon sinks disappear, the urgency to restore and manage these forests grows.

The Solution

With your support, and in partnership with American Forests, we are reforesting areas of the Lake Wales Ridge and Withlacoochee State Forests with a mix of longleaf pine and South Florida slash pine—both native, hardy, and resilient to fire and drought.

This project includes:

Together, these actions support habitat revival, carbon capture, water conservation, and climate resilience.

Partners

American Forests and Florida Forest Service

What is Terrestrial Reforestation?

Terrestrial reforestation involves planting and nurturing tree species native to degraded or deforested lands. In Florida, restoring longleaf pine is a key strategy for revitalizing biodiversity, strengthening watersheds, and building resistance to climate change.

These trees can:

Restoration here isn’t just about replanting—it’s about reweaving an ecosystem, reconnecting wildlife corridors, and creating a resilient landscape for generations to come.

The Impact

Fun Fact: The Withlacoochee State Forest supports one of Florida’s most important watersheds, covering 2,100+ square miles and feeding into the Withlacoochee River—an officially designated “Outstanding Florida Water.”

Planting Timeline

🌱 December – March

Sustainable Development Goals Supported

🌍 Climate Action
🌲 Life on Land
💧 Clean Water and Sanitation
⛑️ Good Health and Wellbeing
💰 No Poverty

How You Can Help

Ecodrive makes it simple for your business to support reforestation in Florida and beyond.

Tie customer actions—like purchases, reviews, and signups—to meaningful impact like restoring longleaf pine ecosystems, supporting endangered species, and protecting watersheds.

Our platform integrates with Shopify and other e-commerce tools, while providing marketing support, tracking dashboards, and verified impact reporting so your customers and stakeholders can clearly see the difference you’re making.

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