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In Bertie County, North Carolina, just off the Roanoke River, a 120-acre stand of longleaf pine is quietly thriving. Originally planted in 2010 through the Farm Service Agency’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), this former farmland was converted into forest to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitat for native wildlife. Now, 15 years later, the site is entering a new phase of management.
In 2025, a new landowner with a passion for wildlife and outdoor recreation took over the property, aiming to enhance habitat for northern bobwhite quail. Although prescribed fire had already been introduced, results were limited. Seeking guidance, the landowner partnered with Michael Ward, a Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Together, they developed a management plan that aligns with CRP guidelines and focuses on improving early successional habitat in the understory. The plan includes precommercial thinning in 2027 to open the canopy and promote groundcover diversity, followed by prescribed fire in 2029 to reinforce those benefits. Targeted herbicide applications will help control hardwood encroachment and maintain the open, grassy habitat preferred by quail and other wildlife.
Although bobwhite quail are the main focus, the habitat enhancements are also expected to benefit other declining species that thrive in similar environments, such as the monarch butterfly. With thoughtful planning and a commitment to conservation, this property is on track to serve as a strong example of how private lands can contribute meaningfully to regional wildlife goals.
