MEET THE NEW LEADERSHIP OF THE FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE
The Florida Forest Service (FFS) is a key partner in the stewardship of Florida’s public and private forests. They manage over 1 million acres of state forests for multiple public uses, offer technical information and grant programs to private landowners to help them improve their forestland, and protect homeowners from the threat of damage in Florida’s fire-dependent environment. There are now several new faces on the FFS leadership team. We congratulate them all in their new roles. Get acquainted with the new leadership team in this post provided by the Florida Forestry Association.
FLORIDA WOMEN LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION MEETING SATURDAY JULY 15 IN GAINESVILLE
The next quarterly meeting of this active and growing group will feature a webinar presentation about natural Florida pollinator habitat by Lisa Lord with the Longleaf Alliance. They will meet at 10 am ET this Saturday at the Florida Forest Service Waccasassa Forestry Center in Gainesville for a Watch Party along with additional activities and discussion. Meet women from around Florida as we connect about land ownership, management, and outdoor education. All experience levels are welcome! Some outdoor activities are planned as well. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch and water bottle. Dessert will be provided. For more information about FWLA events, contact Allison Nash, FWLA.contact@gmail.com, (941) 725-1640, or Ginger Feagle, ginger.feagle@myfwc.com, (386) 586-8249. More details, registration, and link to the webinar presentation here,
EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED AND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS IMPLEMENTED TO MONITOR AND PROTECT AGAINST POSSIBLE SPREAD OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN WHITE-TAILED DEER IN NORTH FLORIDA
Following confirmation of a positive test sample for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Holmes County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) have implemented management actions and an executive order to protect against the possible spread of CWD.
The FWC and its agency partners take CWD very seriously and have implemented a comprehensive response plan. As part of the plan, the FWC will collect samples from specific established zones to further assess the spread of the disease. The results from this initial sampling effort will inform resource managers so they can respond with appropriate management strategies. Read more details about this issue at the FWC’s website.
RURAL AND FAMILY LAND PROTECTION PROGRAM OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT
Apply by July 27
The Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services has announced an application cycle for landowners to apply to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. This is an agricultural land preservation program designed to protect important agricultural lands through the acquisition of permanent agricultural land conservation easements. Landowners interested in pursuing a conservation easement on their land can now submit their application online to the department through July 27. See more program details and application materials here.
REPORT ALL YOUR WILD TURKEY SIGHTINGS THIS SUMMER
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2023 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.
ENROLL IN ONLINE FOREST LANDOWNER ACADEMY
Are you new to forestry and land management? Need a good primer on forest management concepts and next steps? Hard to fit travel for tours and workshops in your busy schedule? Need a course in a self-paced format that you can take on your own time? This course is for you! Forest landowners, and others in need of forest management information, are encouraged to enroll in this self-paced, online course to connect with forest management experts at the University of Florida and receive quality core educational content on forestry and multiple-use stewardship concepts.
The 7 course modules cover a variety of topics on understanding your forest resources, developing your management plan, timber management, marketing forest products, other forest enterprises such as pine straw and hunting leases, wildlife management, and planning for the future. Each module includes recorded video from the field or virtual classroom, links to references, and an assessment where you can apply what you’ve learned to your land or situation. The cost of the course is $150. Those completing the course will earn a University of Florida Certificate of Completion.
See and share course details in the Forest Landowner Academy blog post.
Direct link to enroll in the Forest Landowner Academy:
https://ifas-sfrc-for.catalog.instructure.com/courses/for-fla
Questions about the course can be directed to Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu, (352) 846-2375.
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 OPPORTUNITIES
See our Events Calendar and News page for upcoming events and ongoing programs, initiatives, and opportunities.
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 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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