This hopeful nonfiction picture book tells the story of the world’s oldest known longleaf pine tree and the community of scientists, activists, and citizen stewards who have fought to protect it, saving an old-growth forest—and the plants and animals that live there—from the brink of extinction.
Every April, the people of Southern Pines, North Carolina gather in the forest for a birthday party. In some ways, it’s like most birthday parties. People play games. They sing songs. Of course, they eat cake. But there’s one thing that makes this party different:
It’s for a tree. A tree that is almost 500 years old.
The “birthday tree,” as it’s called by residents of the area, is the oldest known longleaf pine tree in the world. In the earliest years of its life, it was part of what was once the largest ecosystem in North America. That ecosystem began to shrink with the arrival of European settlers who used longleaf pine trees for wood and turpentine—in fact, it almost disappeared.
But after the passage of the Endangered Species Act, scientists and activists began to fight for the longleaf pine forest. And slowly, the forest started to heal—cause for cheer! Local conservators now organize an annual celebration for the birthday tree to foster community stewardship of the longleaf pine ecosystem for generations to come.
This inspirational nonfiction picture book introduces young readers to ecosystems, endangered species, the importance of old-growth forests, and the power of community-led environmental stewardship. Extensive back matter includes a timeline, further information about the longleaf pine ecosystem, and a note on the role Indigenous residents of the area have played in protecting the North Carolina longleaf pine forest throughout its history.
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