NATIONAL ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY, MAY 16
Every year the third Friday in May marks Endangered Species Day. Designated by the U.S. Congress in 2006, this day spotlights and advances conservation efforts for endangered (and threatened) species in the U.S. and around the world.
Private lands and private land stewards play a critical role in the management and conservation of the habitats that support threatened and endangered plants and animals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s voluntary Conservation Benefit Agreements provide formal regulatory assurances for private landowners who are interested in managing habitat for threatened and endangered species. Learn more about USFWS Conservation Benefit Agreements.
The banner photo above features the endangered Florida scrub-jay at Archbold Biological Station, taken by Tori Bakley, Archbold Biological Station.
2025 FLORIDA SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE FORECAST
The Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) is a native insect that will utilize, or “attack” stressed and dying pines. Under certain environmental conditions, SPB outbreaks can occur, which can result in significant damage to pine stands in both rural and urban landscapes. Each year the Florida Forest Service conducts a coordinated, multi-state spring trapping survey in collaboration with other state forest agencies throughout the South and Northeast.
The results of the 2025 survey indicate that the probability of SPB activity is low (less than 5%) for most of Florida. However, an elevated risk of one or more SPB infestations occurring is predicted for Alachua, (15.6%), Gadsden (17.9%), Leon (8.6%), Liberty (9%), Okaloosa (16.1%), and Wakulla (21.2%) Counties. Read the full report on the Florida Forest Service’s Southern Pine Beetle web page.
MAY 2025 ISSUE OF THE FLORIDA WOMEN LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION (FWLA) NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
This organization is making great strides in providing networking and educational opportunities and experiences for women landowners across Florida. In this issue: Message from the President, Member Highlight, Event Recap, Bird Bark Butter, Upcoming Events. Access the May 2025 issue of the Florida Women Landowners newsletter here.
Check out the FWLA’s new website at https://fwla.net/.
GET READY FOR HURRICANE SEASON
Hurricane season is approaching, beginning June 1, and continuing through November 30. As we have learned in recent years, powerful hurricanes can make their way inland and do considerable damage to forest lands and agricultural enterprises. It’s never too early to start planning for a storm that could impact your property.
Find the latest tips to “Prepare Your Forest Property for Hurricane Season” at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FR436.
NEW UF INVASIVE SPECIES SURVEY GROUP: USING CITIZEN SCIENCE TO HELP LAND MANAGEMENT
Introducing a new citizen science program hosted by the UF SFFGS and the UF Invasive Species Council, the UF Invasive Species Survey Group. This all-volunteer group is trained to assist land managers by scouting for and mapping invasive plants on managed properties across north Florida and the panhandle. The goal of the Survey Group is to improve invasive species management at a regional level by assisting land managers who are actively managing or are interested in actively managing invasive plants on their properties. We are happy to work on both public and private lands in the project area. To request a free survey or learn more, visit our website at https://invasivespecies.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/invasive-species-survey-group/ or contact the program coordinator at ISCVolunteerCoordinator@ufl.edu.
CONSERVATION FLORIDA ANNOUNCES A NEW PRIVATE LANDS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
Conservation Florida’s Private Lands Stewardship Program helps landowners protect, restore, and sustain Florida’s working and wild landscapes. Program partners will assist with invasive species, prescribed fire, water management, or long-term conservation planning. Land management resources, expertise, and financial support from this initiative are available to landowners within the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape located in Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, and Polk Counties, but they are hoping to expand the area of assistance. For more details and to apply for this assistance see the Private Lands Stewardship Program web site.
APPLY FOR THE FOREST LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION LONGLEAF PINE PROGRAM
Apply by May 16, 2025
The Forest Landowners Association has cost-share funds available for landowners to establish new stands of longleaf pine or manage existing stands. Applications are open to any private landowner or landowning company in the historic longleaf pine range. The deadline to apply is May 16th, 2025. More details and application for the FLA Longleaf Pine Program here.
GULF COASTAL PLAIN ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP (GCPEP) LONGLEAF PINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The GCPEP Longleaf Assistance Program includes incentives for longleaf establishment, stand improvement, and prescribed fire. It is available to landowners within the GCPEP project area. This includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Holmes Counties west of the Choctawhatchee River in Florida; and Baldwin, Escambia, Covington, Conecuh, Coffee, Geneva, and Dale Counties west of the Choctawhatchee River in Alabama. Habitat improvements must be within existing longleaf stands, mixed stands, or to establish new longleaf forests. Incentives can cover up to $100/ac. for establishment, up to $50/ac. for stand improvement, or $15/ac. for prescribed fire, not to exceed 50% of landowner costs. For more information contact Ad Platt, ad@longleafalliance.org, (850) 982-8480.
AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION FIELDS & FORESTS PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE IN FLORIDA
Fields & Forests works with landowners in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to diversify the income from their land by planting trees on open fields. This low-maintenance opportunity provides landowners with guaranteed annual income, professional forestry support, full coverage of site preparation and planting costs, and the profits from timber harvests. Payment contracts include a payment of $30 per acre per year, and are 30 years duration. See the American Forest Foundation’s Fields & Forests Program web site for details. Questions about Fields & Forests can be directed to (229) 231-3818 or fieldsandforests@forestfoundation.org.
ENROLL IN THE ONLINE FOREST LANDOWNER ACADEMY
Need a good self-paced primer on forestry and forest stewardship? Don’t have time to attend workshops and other events? The UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Science’s online Forest Landowner Academy is for you. The direct link to enroll is 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; or Michael Andreu, mandreu@ufl.edu.
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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