SIGNUP OPEN FOR FLORIDA’S FUTURE FORESTS PROGRAM
Apply by August 18
Florida Forest Service has announced a program to assist forest landowners with establishing forest stands. The Florida’s Future Forests Program is open to non-industrial, private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations. Applicants may request funding for tree establishment practices on a minimum of 20 acres and up to a maximum of 250 acres. In past years these funds have already been used to create 26,000 acres of healthy forests in Florida. Learn more and request an application for the Future Forests Program here.
JULY IS LAKE APPRECIATION MONTH
July is Lakes Appreciation Month. This national initiative was started in 1998 by the North American Lake Management Society with the goal of spotlighting the importance of lakes and reservoirs and encouraging people to take action in appreciating and protecting our water resources.
In the spirit of that initiative, this is a great time to highlight Florida’s LAKEWATCH program. This citizen volunteer lake monitoring program facilitates “hands-on” citizen participation in the management of Florida lakes, estuaries, rivers and springs through monthly monitoring activities. The program started in 1986 and there are now over 1,500 volunteers sampling around 800 water bodies. If you are interested in becoming a LAKEWATCH volunteer or just want to learn more about the program, see the Florida LAKEWATCH program website.
Also, check out this podcast episode brought to you by the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, “Working in the Weeds.” In this episode, Florida LAKEWATCH Directors Mark Hoyer and Dr. Gretchen Lescord, talk about why this program is an example of successful citizen science. Listen to this episode of Working in the Weeds here.
USDA EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM IN 28 COUNTIES AFFECTED BY HURRICANE IAN
Apply by September 25
The USDA Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) provides financial assistance to producers to help restore farmland to pre-disaster conditions. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of an approved restoration activity. Limited resource producers, socially disadvantaged participants and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive up to 90 percent cost-share.
The approved ECP practices under this authorization for Hurricane Ian recovery include removing debris from farmland; grading, shaping, releveling, or similar measures: replacing or repairing permanent fences; and restoring conservation structures and other installations.
The approved counties for ECP signup are Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia. For more details see the USDA ECP Website. Find your USDA Service Center 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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