U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region

“This broad partnership provides the framework to better identify the management needs and discuss the latest research for this unique reptile,” said Sam D. Hamilton, Southeast Regional Director. “It is an ideal example of dealing with a complex issue by developing a partnership of forward-looking people to find the right tools to help conserve a rare species.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southwest Region

“Broad-based partnerships such as this represent an excellent way to protect at-risk species in America,” said Dale Hall, Southwest Regional Director. “By protecting candidate species on federal lands, we are helping the survival of the species.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

"The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Natural Heritage Section has been active with our state and federal partners throughout the entire process of developing this agreement,” said Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau. “We are eager to be involved in this and any arrangement that fosters research and understanding of Louisiana's native flora and fauna."

Fort Polk Military Installation

“Fort Polk is proud to be a partner in the Candidate Conservation Agreement,” said Stephanie Stephens, wildlife biologist with the Fort Polk Military Installation. “Since 1995, Fort Polk has supported Louisiana pine snake conservation through research, habitat management, and education. Conservation efforts at Fort Polk are founded on the principles of Win-Win Ecology of providing quality habitat that supports both biodiversity and mission readiness.”

U.S. Forest Service National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

"We are pleased to be a partner in this Louisiana pine snake cooperative agreement,” said Fred Salinas, Supervisor, National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. “The Louisiana pine snake is a key indicator in the longleaf pine habitats that we manage, and we plan to implement a management strategy for the snake that will include frequent prescribed burning. This will be beneficial for the snake and many other fire-dependent species and will promote the health of the fire-maintained pine ecosystem.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

“Conservation actions taken by the cooperators through this agreement will assure long-term survival of the Louisiana pine snake and a number of additional rare animal and plant species of the upland pine ecosystem of East Texas,” said Rickey Maxey, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist in Nacogdoches. “We are a firmly committed partner, and look forward to a positive working relationship with all the other partners in this agreement.”
Maxey said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department intends to manage its relevant wildlife management areas in East Texas for the pine snake through controlled burning and other habitat improvement tactics, as well as encourage private landowners and others to do the same through its grants programs and free technical guidance to landowners.

U. S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station

“The U. S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station is pleased to play a role in helping to manage public lands for the benefit of the Louisiana pine snake, and the many additional species of plants and animals dependent on fire-maintained pine ecosystems in the southeastern United States,” said D. Craig Rudolph. Research Ecologist U. S. Forest Service Southern Research Station. “Longleaf pine ecosystems, in particular, are among the most highly threatened in North America and this agreement should help maintain the natural biodiversity dependent on well-managed longleaf pine habitats.”