NEW PASTURELAND REFORESTATION PILOT PROJECT SEEKING LANDOWNERS IN FLORIDA PANHANDLE TO PARTICIPATE
Arbor Day Carbon (ADC) and American Forest Foundation (AFF) are working together to convert marginalized pasture and agricultural lands into sustainable forests in the Florida Panhandle and bordering areas in Alabama and Georgia. For the next month, they are building a pilot with landowners in the area where they will cover the costs of land preparation, herbicide application, seedlings, and plantings. The landowner will also receive $30 per acre per year for 30-years. The landowner will retain the rights to the forest, the ability to thin, and the ability to harvest, and the revenue from the timber sold. Preparing and planting for the next rotation will also be covered.
This project is directed by Johann Lockard, jlockard@arborday.org, Director of Project Development for Arbor Day Carbon, and Arjun Durr, adurr@forestfoundation.org, the Director of Product Development for American Forest Foundation. They are looking to work with foresters as this project develops and evolves. Our goal this year is 5,000-acres. We have already secured 3,000,000-seedlings from ArborGen. Loblolly Pine OP-select for lower coastal plain. They will be in Georgia and Florida from August 28th to September 10th to meet potential partners. Landowners who are interested in this project please reach out to them directly (emails above) to schedule a call and potential visit where they can explain this project in more detail.
This is a long-term project so if this geography and species doesn’t fit you, stay tuned! They will be expanding their efforts beyond this pilot.
HURRICANE SEASON HEATING UP
Tropical storm activity is on the increase. Keep a close eye on the forecasts and make sure you, your family, and your property are ready for the next storm headed our way. Our recorded webinar series on Hurricane Preparation and Recovery, as well as links to all the materials, are all available at our Florida Land Steward events and webinars page – see 2021 Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinars..
Don’t wait until after a disaster to get your farm records filled out with USDA Farm Service Agency. You’ll be ahead in the queue for assistance and will receive E-notifications about recovery programs from FSA after the storm. If you already have farm records in, review them and make sure they are complete and up-to date. Find your USDA Service Center here to get started.
REPORT YOUR WILD TURKEY SIGHTINGS THIS SUMMER
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2022 wild turkey summer survey has launched! Landowners, citizen scientists, conservationists, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts are invited to take part in this important annual survey. More details and reporting options here.
CHECK OUT THE FAMILY FOREST VIRTUAL COMMUNITY
Family forest owners are invited to join the American Forest Foundation’s (AFF) brand new virtual community, The Family Forest, a home for family forest owners and the people who support them. The Family Forest is a dedicated online space where people who care for family forest land can connect with others who share the same goals and aspirations. Learn more about AFF’s Family Forest Virtual Community.
GET FLORIDA LAND STEWARD EMAIL UPDATES
Don’t miss out on news and events! Sign up for the regular email updates! Send an email to Chris at cdemers@ufl.edu to be added to the email listserv. Florida Land Steward email updates are sent once a week or every other week and include the latest calendar of workshops, tours and other events; a link to the current issue of this quarterly newsletter; updates on cost-share and other assistance programs, opportunities, and resources; and other stewardship related news and information.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND WEBINARS
See our Events Calendar and News page for upcoming events, webinars, and event materials.
ACCESS THE QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER ONLINE
Access the current and back issues of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter here.
HAVE AN EVENT OR RELATED NEWS TO SHARE?
Drop a line with the details and link(s) to Chris Demers at cdemers@ufl.edu.
CONSIDER A GIFT IN SUPPORT OF THE UF/IFAS FLORIDA LAND STEWARD PROGRAM
The mission of the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program is to help and encourage private landowners to actively manage their land resources for long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits. This program is largely supported by partners and donors. If this program has made a difference in your land stewardship efforts please consider a gift.
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