Allen Nease
Encyclopedia
Allen Dowling Nease was a pioneer of Florida
’s reforestation
and conservation
efforts in the mid-20th century.
Allen Nease graduated from North Carolina State University
and went to work with the US Forest Service in the Apalachicola National Forest
where he planted tree
s, supervised timber sales and fought “redneck
poachers” who were undermining his efforts. In 1940 he was hired by the Florida Division of Forestry as the first County Forester
in the state, selling the need for forest and soil conservation all the way from Suwannee County, Florida
to Washington County, Florida
.
trees throughout the north Florida area, he became known as “Johnny Pine nut” (instead of Johnny Appleseed
). In 1947, he managed 17,000 acres (69 km²) of over cut, overworked timberland in St. Johns County, Florida
for Robinson Improvement Company where he established a re-forestry program.
, Allen D. Nease Senior High School
, was named after him.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
’s reforestation
Reforestation
Reforestation is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation....
and conservation
Conservation ethic
Conservation is an ethic of resource use, allocation, and protection. Its primary focus is upon maintaining the health of the natural world: its, fisheries, habitats, and biological diversity. Secondary focus is on materials conservation and energy conservation, which are seen as important to...
efforts in the mid-20th century.
Early career
Allen was actually born Allen Dowling, but was adopted when he was ten and kept his birth name as his middle name.Allen Nease graduated from North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
and went to work with the US Forest Service in the Apalachicola National Forest
Apalachicola National Forest
The Apalachicola National Forest is the largest U.S. National Forest in the state of Florida. It contains and is the only national forest located in the Florida Panhandle. The Apalachicola National Forest contains two Wilderness Areas, Bradwell Bay and Mudswamp/New River...
where he planted tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s, supervised timber sales and fought “redneck
Redneck
Redneck is a historically derogatory slang term used in reference to poor, uneducated white farmers, especially from the southern United States...
poachers” who were undermining his efforts. In 1940 he was hired by the Florida Division of Forestry as the first County Forester
Forester
250px|thumb|right|Foresters of [[Southern University of Chile|UACh]] in the [[Valdivian forest]]s of San Pablo de Tregua, ChileA forester is a person who practices forestry, the science, art, and profession of managing forests. Foresters engage in a broad range of activities including timber...
in the state, selling the need for forest and soil conservation all the way from Suwannee County, Florida
Suwannee County, Florida
Suwannee County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 34,844. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 38,624 . Its county seat is Live Oak, Florida. Suwannee County was a dry county until August, 2011.....
to Washington County, Florida
Washington County, Florida
Washington County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 20,973. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 22,299. Its county seat is Chipley, Florida...
.
Legacy
Because Allen Nease planted over 55 million pinePine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
trees throughout the north Florida area, he became known as “Johnny Pine nut” (instead of Johnny Appleseed
Johnny Appleseed
Johnny Appleseed , born John Chapman, was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois...
). In 1947, he managed 17,000 acres (69 km²) of over cut, overworked timberland in St. Johns County, Florida
St. Johns County, Florida
St. Johns County is a county located in northeastern Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 190,039. The county seat is St. Augustine. Due to the inclusion of Ponte Vedra Beach, it is one of the highest-income counties in the United States....
for Robinson Improvement Company where he established a re-forestry program.
Career in education
In 1971, Allen Nease was elected to the St. Johns County School Board where he served as Chairman for 17 years and became the School Board’s driving force for 24 years. While on the School Board, Mr. Nease won the battle to build and develop what is now known as the First Coast Technical Institute. Due to these achievements, the high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, Allen D. Nease Senior High School
Allen D. Nease Senior High School
Allen D. Nease High School is a public high school in the St. Johns County School District, located in Ponte Vedra, Florida that was established in 1981. The school is a member of the International Baccalaureate program. The principal is Mr...
, was named after him.