Eco Trail tour
Brett Williams, 96th Civil Engineer Group fire ecologist with Jackson Guard, explains how the forests in and around Eglin reservation are “fire dependant” ecosystems, April 17. According to Williams, the forest requires fire every three years to maintain a sustainable habitat for the indigenous wildlife and vegetation. Many native plants and animal species depend on Eglin's fire-dependent long-leaf pine ecosystem, 11 of which are federally protected. Endangered species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, depend on fire that is typically caused by either lightning strikes or Eglin's resident fire managers to survive. The display was part of a walking “eco-tour” on Eglin reservation near White Point in celebration of Eglin’s Earth Week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)