St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge has actively managed longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)-wire grass (Aristida beyrichiana) forests and savannas by prescribed fire and overstory manipulation since 1941. This management has evolved over time from dormant-season prescribed fires and even-aged pine management to prescribed fires throughout the year and multi-aged pine management. Research of these management activities has been ongoing since the late 1970's. Season of fire study plots were established in 1980 in conjunction with Tall Timbers Research Station and continue to be managed and evaluated. Fire research has documented longleaf pine and groundcover responses, as well as overstory and midstory oak (Quercus spp.) declines as a result of a shift from dormant-season to growing-season fires. Research has also examined groundcover responses to mechanical site-preparation techniques, wiregrass regeneration and restoration, and methods of restoring Iongleaf pine overstories and groundcovers in slash pine (P. eIIiottii) plantations. Studies of wildlife associated with longleaf pine-wiregrass communities have included nongame wildlife, red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis), gopher tortoises (Gophews polyphemus), indigo snakes (Drymarchon corias couperi), breeding birds, flatwoods salamanders (Ambystoma cingulatum), and other amphibians. The selection of the refuge as a Land Management Research and Demonstration Refuge will increase the emphasis on longleaf pine-related research and outreach to advance innovative management of this important southern wildlife habitat.