DAPHNE — First-time author, Roger Reid, served as a guest speaker at Daphne Middle School on Sept. 13th. He is an Alabama native with close ties to southern forestry and wildlife issues. He was born in Birmingham, but grew up in Huntsville and attended the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

For over a decade, Reid has worked as a producer for the Emmy-nominated public television program, “Discovering Alabama.” This show is dedicated to publicizing Alabama environmental issues. It is produced by the Alabama Museum of Natural History and the University of Alabama in cooperation with Alabama Public Television.

Reid decided to use his extensive knowledge of the plants and wildlife of the Conecuh National Forest in his book “Longleaf,” creating an adventure story for children with an introduction to native forestry.

The book, posters and two videos were donated to the school library. Randy Mecredy, director of The University of Alabama Museums, also delivered a speech to sixth-graders in Jennifer Newton’s and Dr. Sonya Rogers’ English/literature classes.

Also present was Mark Hainds, research director for Longleaf Alliance, whose focus is to promote recovery of longleaf pine forests for their ecological and economic benefits. He is employed at Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center in Andalusia, Ala.

His goal is to educate the younger generation and involve them in saving longleaf pines.