Florida Land Steward Update, September 4, 2020

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THE HURRICANE MICHAEL TIMBER RECOVERY BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

Registration for the Florida Timber Recovery Block Grant Program is now available to forest landowners who suffered damage from Hurricane Michael in October 2018. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the program is managed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the Florida Forest Service (FFS), which will provide technical assistance to forest landowners required to produce documentation to receive compensation for their loss. The registration deadline is Friday November 20, 2020.

The direct link to the Block Grant web page is at FloridaDisaster.org/timber. Register there to begin the application process. For questions about the registration or application process call the FDEM hotline at 850-270-8317.

For more details and tips on the application process and other information see the latest news blog post:
http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sfrc/2020/08/26/registration-now-open-for-hurricane-michael-timber-recovery-block-grant-program/

FOREST RECOVERY WEBINAR SERIES BEGINS SEPTEMBER 10, 2 PM ET (1 PM CT)

Join us for details about the long awaited Timber Recovery Block Grant Program, an update on the USDA Emergency Forest Restoration Program and local timber markets, some tips on determining what kind of trees are right for you and your property, longleaf restoration initiatives, and invasive species to be looking out for. Join us to get the information you need to take the next steps in forest recovery:
Forest Recovery Webinar Series Announcement (PDF)

FUNDING AVAILABLE FROM THE NATURE CONSERVANCY (TNC) TO TREAT COGONGRASS IN CENTRAL PANHANDLE REGION OF FLORIDA

Do you have a cognongrass problem on property in Calhoun, Gadsden, or Liberty Counties? The TNC North Florida Program has received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 120 total acres of cogongrass treatment in counties surrounding the Apalachicola National Forest. Private landowners in Calhoun, Gadsden, and Liberty Counties who would like to be considered for this funding should contact Brian Pelc, (850) 222-0199 x103, bpelc@tnc.org

What does cognongrass look like? See this identification guide for cogongrass.

Don Ashley and his wife Tamara
CONGRATULATIONS DON ASHLEY AND THEO MEADOWS OF ASHLEY FARMS: 2020 JON GOULD FLORIDA OUTSTANDING TREE FARMERS OF THE YEAR

Watch the video: Ashley Farms: Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year

Mr. Don Ashley and his sister, Ms. Theo Meadows, have transformed their 570-acre multi-generational tobacco farm into a showcase of sustainable multiple-use management and habitat diversity in Madison County. The family works hard to implement forestry practices that integrate timber management, wildlife habitat, soil and water conservation, and recreational opportunities. In recognition of their efforts, Ashley Farms has been selected as the 2020 Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year and serves as a model for encouraging other landowners to become great land stewards of their forests. Read more about Ashley Farms.

THE NORTH FLORIDA PRESCRIBED BURN ASSOCIATION’S FIRE IN THE PINES NEWSLETTER, VOL 2 ISSUE 4 IS NOW AVAILABLE

These people have been busy! In this issue: Message from the President, Record Keeping: How it Earned the PBA $20,000, Planning Underway for 2021 Flatwoods Fire and Nature Festival, Conservation at Work, Fiery Summer: NFPBA Updates, NFLT: How Do We Manage Our Land?, Mopping Up & Meeting Up: Concluding a Burn, and Hotspot Profile. View Vol 2, Issue 4 Fire in the Pines Newsletter

ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT STORM?

The tropical storm season is heating up. Don’t wait to get your forest property ready for the next storm.

The USDA Southeast Climate Hub with other USDA agencies and university Extension experts, have developed a set of guides for Florida agricultural producers. The guides are each tailored to a specific agricultural commodity and designed to help produces prepare for and recover from hurricane events. The guides are available on the USDA Southeast Climate Hub Website. Of interest to forest landowners on this page is the Pine Forest Landowners Guide.

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Posted: September 3, 2020


Category: Disaster Preparation, Forests, Natural Resources
Tags: Block Grant, Forest, Recovery, Timber, Tree Farm


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