SEASONS GREETINGS!

We hope you have a very festive, peaceful, and safe Holiday season. Be sure to slow down for a little while and enjoy some quiet time out in nature. This will be the last update of 2022. We look forward to continuing our service to this community in 2023!

DOUG AND TERESA MOORE ARE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2022 NATIONAL OUTSTANDING TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR AWARD!!

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Doug and Teresa Moore, recipients of the American Tree Farm System’s 2022 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Award!  This is a tremendous honor for Doug and Teresa and for the Florida Tree Farm Program as well. Read more about Doug and Teresa Moore, their hard work at South Prong Plantation, and their ATFS Award here.

ONLINE FOREST LANDOWNER ACADEMY LAUNCHING SOON!

The Forest Landowner Academy is the first of its kind offered by the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. Forest landowners are encouraged to enroll to engage in quality, core educational content on forestry and multiple-use stewardship concepts through the UF/IFAS Extension Online Learning catalog. Gain comprehensive knowledge and skills related to forest resources and active management that you can use in your land management and planning. The course will also provide some important background knowledge and context on topics discussed in more detail at Florida Land Steward Program and other partner events and webinars offered each year.

Details about cost and enrollment will be shared in Florida Land Steward updates in the coming weeks. Questions can be directed to Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu.

FLORIDA TREE FARM PROGRAM PREPARES FOR 2023 ASSESSMENT

The Florida Tree Farm Program is preparing for our 2023 program assessment.  The Program has been assessed three times since 2010 with no significant issues.  The purpose of the assessment is to ensure the Florida Tree Farm Program is meeting the 2021 American Forest Foundation Standards of Sustainability.

A small percentage of Florida Tree Farms will be selected for the assessment.  The assessors will look at the selected landowner’s management plan and then an interview will be conducted at the landowner’s convenience.  The interviews will be conducted at the property and a Florida Tree Farm representative will accompany the assessor.  We will begin the assessment process in January 2023 and if your Tree Farm is chosen you will receive a phone call early in 2023.  The assessment is not a judgement of your management. Rather, your property is viewed as a sample of how the state program applies the Standards on properties statewide. If selected, participation in the assessment is required as a condition of certification.  However, if you are unable to participate for reasons beyond your control, please let us know so other arrangements can be made.

Please contact your inspector if you need an update to your management plan or if your Tree Farm has not been inspected since 2018.  For more information contact the Florida Tree Farm Program at (352) 727-2985 or by email at: gregory.marshall@fdacs.gov.

SIGN UP OPEN FOR USDA NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAMS

Apply by January 31, 2023
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values. The ACEP protects grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land. Under the Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) component, landowners restore wetlands impacted by agriculture. Easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity, provide resilience to climate change, and provide opportunities for limited recreational activities.

Contact your local NRCS office to apply for ACEP by January 31, 2023 for FY2023 funding.

2023 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD WALL CALENDARS

We’ll resume sending out what calendars we have left after the Holidays. An annual land stewardship tradition, the Florida Land Steward calendar features beautiful photography, habitat management tips, landowner and management highlights, resource contacts, partnership opportunities, and more.  Request your calendar by sending an email to cdemers@ufl.edu with your mailing address. These are first come, first serve to interested landowners, while supplies last. We’re resume sending after the Holidays.

Support the calendar! If you have enjoyed this calendar and find it useful please contribute to future editions!  You can donate at https://wildlifeflorida.org/wildlife/   In the “Comments” field please indicate “Private Lands Fund”. Thank you!

NEW OR UPDATED STEWARDSHIP PUBLICATIONS ON ASK-IFAS

• Planting Southern Pines in Florida
• Florida Soil Series and Natural Community Associations
• Prepare Your Forest Property for Hurricane Season
• Genetically Improved Pines for Reforesting Florida’s Timberlands

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 the quarterly Florida Land Steward 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.

Support the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program here. Thanks!

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