Florida Land Steward Update, May 1, 2026

A bulldozer moves earth in wildfire smoke to reinforce fire containment lines. — A bulldozer moves earth in wildfire smoke to reinforce fire containment lines for the State Road 26 wildfire on St. Johns Water Management District property.

BE PREPARED FOR WILDFIRE

Hopefully we’ll be getting some much-needed rain by the time you see this update, but it is dry out there and wildfire risk is very high in many areas. Each year, wildfires burn across the United States. At the same time, a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a significant risk. While these fires will continue to happen, there are things you can do to protect your home and neighborhood as well as your family’s safety. See the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise USA site for resources to help you prepare your property, family, and community for destructive wildfires.

SPRING-SUMMER 2026 ISSUE OF QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE

In this issue: Expanding Opportunities for Native Seed on Florida Lands, The Humble Gopher Apple, Introducing the Highlands Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program Open for Applications, Rural Land Management and Conservation Efforts Deliver Benefits Far Beyond Property Lines, University of Florida Invasive Plant Tiered Training Program, New Forest Health Module Released in the Online Forest Landowner Academy, Timber Price Update, Certified Landowners, and Events Calendar

Access the current and back issues of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter here.

UF ENTOMOLOGY LAB PREPARED FOR NEW INVASIVE INSECT

A new invasive insect pest recently showed up in Georgia and the University of Florida IFAS Forest Entomology Lab already knows a lot about it. The new insect, browned winged leafhopper, was inadvertently brought into the U.S. by trade. It consumes sap from plants, reproduces rapidly, and its abundant droppings, called “honeydew” leave black sooty residue on vegetation. Learn more about how the UF entomology lab sent out the warning before the brown winged leaf hopper’s US arrival.

Planted longleaf pine trees, by Chris Demers

APPLY FOR THE FOREST LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION LONGLEAF PINE PROGRAM

Apply by May 15, 2026

The Forest Landowners Association has another round of 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 15, 2026. More details and application for the FLA Longleaf Pine Program here.

LONGLEAF ALLIANCE PLANTING FUND ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2026-2027 PLANTING SEASON

Apply by June 1, 2026

The Longleaf Alliance works with multiple partners to provide longleaf pine seedling funds to landowners. Funding requests for the 2026-2027 planting season are being accepted until June 1, 2026. Applications will be reviewed in late summer with notifications anticipated in late fall. See the Longleaf Alliance Planting Fund website for details.

See these UF/IFAS Extension publications on longleaf pine and management:
Longleaf Pine Regeneration
Benefits of Prescribed Fire
Resources for Prescribed Fire on Private Lands in Florida
Planting Southern Pines in Florida

FLORIDA BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

Hurricane damage in a north Florida pine stand, by Dave Conser

Apply by August 25, 2026

Florida’s agricultural producers have faced significant losses due to recent hurricanes including damage to structures, crops, and long-term productive assets. This program, developed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will provide financial support to help producers rebuild, restore operations, and return to full production. If your operation experienced damage or loss during the 2023 or 2024 hurricane seasons, you may be eligible for assistance. Learn more and check your eligibility at the FDACS Florida Block Grant web site.

See these UF/IFAS Extension publications on hurricane preparation, impacts, and recovery:
Prepare Your Property for Hurricane Season
Assessment and Management of Hurricane Damaged Timberland
Hurricane Impacts on Prescribed Fire and Wildfire Management

NEW FOREST HEALTH MODULE RELEASED IN THE UF ONLINE FOREST LANDOWNER ACADEMY

The UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences extension team is excited to announce the launch of a new Forest Health Module in the Online Forest Landowner Academy. Those already enrolled in the course have full access to the new module.

The Forest Health Module includes presentations, video, and extension publications about what forest health means, the important diseases and insects to watch for in your pine stands, and what to do if you detect a problem. You’ll learn about the life cycles of fungal pathogens like fusiform rust and pitch canker, how to identify infected tree tissues, how to distinguish them, how you can minimize risks of infection, and what to do if you have infected trees. You’ll also learn about the most important pine beetles that can impact our pine stands, like the southern pine beetle; why and how they will enter and damage pine trees, which pine species and stand conditions are most susceptible, and how you can minimize risks.

For more details on the new content and instructors, see the recent blog post about the new Forest Health Module here.

Here’s the direct link to enroll or access the course if you are already enrolled:
https://ifas-sfrc-for.catalog.instructure.com/courses/for-fla.

As always, 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.

MORE NEWS, 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!