CONTRIBUTED

Signs of renewal are already apparent against the charred surface as wiregrass resprouts on the Johnston-Blake tract, a longleaf pine preserve managed by Sandhills Area Land Trust (SALT).

The area is easily spotted at the corner of Beaver Lane and Midland Road near the Pinehurst traffic circle. The site recently underwent a prescribed burn, a common natural resource management approach in the Sandhills.

Conducting a burn is complex, especially in an area such as the circle, which is close to both heavily populated areas and highly traveled areas.

Executing a burn of this difficulty is considered to be a significant “rite of passage” for SALT, which concerned area residents formed in 1991 and is now under the direction of Richard Perritt.

The burn would not have been a success without dedicated volunteers, SALT said. Fire experts Tim McDonald and Dennis Johnston of Muddy Oaks Management (Carthage) donated their time and expertise to ensure the highest level of safety and efficiency.

Burning improves the habitat of the active red-cockaded woodpecker colony on the land. Last year, the federally endangered birds bred but failed to fledge any young. Birds will generally leave the area during a burn, and then return. The Sandhills Ecological Institute will check on the birds during the upcoming nest survey.