2026 USDA FOREST SERVICE LONGLEAF CONE REPORT RELEASED

The latest USDA Forest Service Longleaf Pine Cone Report shows a promising outlook for 2026. Based on green cone counts this spring, the predicted regional longleaf cone crop for this fall is GOOD with an average of 53.9 cones per tree, an encouraging indicator for both natural regeneration this fall and future nursery seedling production.

While this is welcome news, it is important to remember that cone production varies by site and weather risks remain a factor. Annual monitoring by the UDSA Forest Service is crucial for continuing longleaf restoration efforts. Having a forecast of upcoming cone crops helps longleaf growers plan for seed collection and informs land managers’ upcoming activities, like prescribed burning or selective harvesting, to promote recruitment. Read the full USDA Forest Service Cone Production Prospects for Longleaf Pine in 2026 (PDF link at the Longleaf Alliance)

PLANNING TO PLANT PINES THIS COMING PLANTING SEASON?  CATCH OUR JUNE 10 WEBINAR ON PLANTING SOUTHERN PINES.

Join us on Wednesday, June 10 at 2:00 pm ET for a quick primer on planting southern pines. If you are planting pines this coming planting season, now is the time to plan. Join us for helpful tips on site selection, species selection, density considerations, and ordering seedlings. Seedling orders for the 2026-2027 planting season should be placed by early July. Presenters will be Brian Cobble, Region 2 Cooperative Forestry Assistance Coordinator with the Florida Forest Service and Chris Demers, extension program manager at UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. See this link for details and to register for this Florida Land Steward Webinar: Plan Now for Tree Planting Season. It will be recorded.

HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE. TIME TO PREPARE.

Hurricane season began on June 1 and continues through November. Don’t let models and predictions mislead you. It just takes ONE storm to devastate a region. We’ve learned the hard way in recent years that powerful hurricanes can make their way inland and do considerable damage to forest lands and agricultural enterprises. It’s never too early to start preparing for a powerful storm that could track inland.

We have again added the recordings of our Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinars to the list of on-demand webinars in the online Florida Land Steward events calendar.

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

As always, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Center is a good place to keep an eye on the tropics.

FLORIDA BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

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.

CHECK OUT THE NEW AMERICAN TREE FARM SYSTEM WEB SITE

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) is the nation’s largest and longest running recognition program for forest stewardship on private forest lands. Established in Washington State in 1941 on industrial timberlands with the goals of telling the story that private lands can be managed sustainably and advocating for the rights of private forest owners, ATFS evolved into a national program and soon included family and individual forest landowners.

Currently, there are 42 state Tree Farm programs who focus on recognizing and supporting good stewardship for many benefits on forest lands owned by families and individuals, under a uniform set of standards and processes set by ATFS’s national governing body, the American Forest Foundation. The web site of the American Tree Farm System was recently updated. Check out the new site at https://treefarmsystem.org/. From the home page, the Florida Tree Farm Program can be found under “Landowners” and “State Tree Farm Programs”.

FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR PAYMENT FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PILOT PROGRAM

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation teamed up with The Balmoral Group to develop a Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) framework using the University of Florida’s Ecological Greenways Network data to identify locations where specific ecosystem services are present or provided on the landscape. The program will provide financial compensation to eligible landowners to maintain their land undeveloped to provide wildlife habitat connectivity, aquifer recharge, and/or water quality benefits.

This pilot program is available to landowners with property within Florida Wildlife Corridor lands in Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, and Polk Counties near the Avon Park Air Force Bombing Range. Landowners in this area can learn more and express interest in this opportunity at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Payment for Ecosystem Services Pilot Program web site.

REPORT CORAL ARDISIA ON EDDMAPS

The UF Invasive Species Council is launching a coordinated reporting campaign for the highly invasve plant, coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata) now through July 30, 2026.  Submit your observations on the EDDMapS app during the campaign window. Every contributor will be awarded the “Ardisia Agent” badge on their EDDMapS account, and the top three reporters will receive gold, silver, and bronze versions. See this very short Ardisia Agent video on YouTube. The goal is to have more resources dedicated to finding a biocontrol agent for this invasive plant.

Learn more and download the app on the EDDMapS website. For a more thorough description, check out the UF Urban Forestry Extension’s Shared Canopy, Shared Ground EDDMapS presentation.

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.

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 the Florida Land Steward Program manager at fls@ifas.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!