FOREST SERVICE'S "FORESTS TO FAUCETS" SHOWS LINK BETWEEN HEALTHY FORESTS AND DRINKING WATER

The USDA Forest Service Forests to Faucets project uses GIS to model and map the continental United States land areas most important to surface drinking water, the role forests play in protecting these areas, and the extent to which these forests are threatened by development, insects and disease, and wildland fire. The results of this assessment provide information that can identify areas of interest for protecting surface drinking water quality. The spatial dataset can be incorporated into broad-scale planning, such as the State Forest Action Plans, and can help identify areas for further local analysis. In addition it can be incorporated into existing decision support tools that currently lack spatial data on important areas for surface drinking water.

This project also sets the groundwork for identifying watersheds where a payment for watershed services (PWS) project may be an option for financing conservation and management on forest lands. On a macro scale, the Forests to Faucets data identifies areas that supply surface drinking water, have consumer demand for this water, and are facing significant development threats—all important criteria for successful PWS initiatives.

In perhaps its most important role, this work can serve as an education tool to illustrate the link between forests and the provision of surface drinking water—a key watershed-based ecosystem service.

For more see:
http://www.fs.fed.us/ecosystemservices/FS_Efforts/forests2faucets.shtml

SEEN ANY FOX SQUIRRELS LATELY? REPORT FOX SQUIRREL SIGHTINGS

The fox squirrel, named for its fox-like tail, is a charismatic mammal approximately twice the size of the common gray squirrel. The coloration of the fox squirrel is highly variable, ranging from a creamy tan to all black. In Florida, the fox squirrel can be found in almost every county, but the distribution is patchy and not well understood. To better understand fox squirrel distribution, A new research project, conducted by the University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is asking members of the public across the state to report their fox squirrel sightings at the following website: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/foxsquirrel/GetLatLong.aspx

Thanks for your help! Questions? Please Contact Courtney Hooker foxsquirrel@ifas.ufl.edu

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION TEAMS UP WITH USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE TO ASSIST LANDOWNERS WITH LONGLEAF RESTORATION

The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and USDA National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) are teaming up to help landowners who currently have longleaf pine on their property and need help with management and/or landowners who are interested in restoring longleaf pine to their property.  Through this partnership, NWTF certified biologists will develop a conservation plan for landowners in North and Central Florida. Once a conservation plan has been finalized, the NWTF will then work with NRCS to determine what type of financial assistance they can qualify for through NRCS’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), one of the incentive programs offered via the Farm Bill to private landowners. Interested landowners are encouraged to contact the Florida NWTF regional biologist, Derek Alkire dalkire@nwtf.net, cell: (352) 262-2373.  http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=13493

AUSTIN CARY MEMORIAL FOREST CONFERENCE CENTER DESTROYED BY FIRE

On July 19 a fire destroyed the Conference Center at the Austin Cary Memorial Forest. No one was hurt or injured and we do not know the cause of the fire.  This is a great loss to the School of Forest Resources & Conservation, UF-IFAS, Stewardship stakeholders and all who have enjoyed an event, celebration or meeting at this marvelous facility.  We look to the future and plan to rebuild.