FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE, JANUARY 26, 2012: COYOTES, PERMACULTURE COURSE, ONLINE DEER STEWARD COURSE, TIMBER PRICE UPDATE, AND MORE

UF BIOLOGISTS SEEK ASSISTANCE IN DISCOVERING WHAT COYOTES ARE REALLY EATING
Over the next 3 years (2012-2014), the University of Florida will be conducting a study of coyote and bobcat diets in Florida.  Of particular interest is the importance of popular wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bobwhite quail, livestock, and pets in the diet of these predators.  Diets will be determined by examining the stomach contents of coyotes and bobcats legally harvested or obtained in Florida.  We are asking for your help in obtaining legally acquired coyote and bobcat carcasses, with or without pelts.  While we are interested in animals collected year-round, we are particularly interested in animals obtained during June-September.  If you have at least 5 animals that you would like to provide us, you can contact Bill Giuliano at the University of Florida to arrange for pickup (352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu).  If you have fewer than 5 animals or are going to be coming through Gainesville, arrangements can be made to get carcasses from you at the University or combine your animals with others in your area for a pickup.  Carcasses should be frozen in a suitable bag or container, and include the name of contributor, date harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained (at least to the county level).  We have obtained a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for this project, and will keep information provided by you for this project anonymous to the extent possible by law.  We greatly appreciate your help with this valuable study!

LEON COUNTY EXTENSION ANNOUNCES PERMACULTURE COURSES
Since 2006, Leon County Extension faculty and advisory committee members have engaged in study and discussion of climate models predicting amplified climate variability and change (with impacts to plant-available water); of peak oil and net energy decline (with impacts to input-dependent farming); of food security issues driven by the foregoing plus unabated growth in our human population and natural resource demand; all in the shadow of a global financial system vulnerable to disruptions. We think that PERMACULTURE is the right topic for the times, and the course we have designed offers it at the right pace and the right price. See the course flyer at:
http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu/Flyer_Permaculture%20Course%202012_ver3.pdf. To register, contact Genice Harris at (850) 606-5202, or Will Sheftall at Sheftallw@leoncountyfl.gov

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES ONLINE DEER STEWARD COURSE
In partnership with the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), Clemson University is proud to offer the QDMA's Deer Steward course online. This program provides a comprehensive understanding of the key principles of deer and habitat biology, ecology and management. The entire program is self-paced and conducted online. It is a convenient way to learn everything about white-tailed deer from the leading experts! You will register for the program through the QDMA but will view all the program materials through Clemson University.  Foresters earn 4 hous of Category 1 CFEs and 10 hours of Category 2 CFEs without ever leaving your office. You will watch videos from the comfort of your home or office and take exams, all online! This is a great opportunity to earn CFE credits on your own time! To register or learn more about QDMA and the Deer Steward Online program, click here.

TIMBER PRICE UPDATE, 4TH QTR 2011
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/florida_forestry_information/events_calendar/files/timber_price_update114.pdf

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

TIMBER TAX TIPS FOR 2011
Tax rules for timber vary depending on whether your woodland is personal use, investment, or business property. You must make this determination each tax year. See this link for more: http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/florida_forestry_information/events_calendar/files/TaxTips2011.pdf

FOREST STEWARDSHIP & OTHER EVENTS AND PRESENTATIONS ONLINE

See this link for recorded presentations and materials from past Forest Stewardship Program events:

http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/florida_forestry_information/events_calendar/online_events.html

JANUARY 22-28 PRESCRIBED FIRE AWARENESS WEEK

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service is actively promoting and encouraging the use of prescribed fires in recognition of Prescribed Fire Awareness Week, January 22 through 28. “Prescribed burning is the most effective way to minimize the risk of wildfire in our state,” said Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam. “Prescribed fires protect Florida homes, forests and natural resources and are a critical component of our efforts to effectively manage what is forecasted to be an active wildfire season.” Across the state, local Florida Forest Service field offices are hosting events to educate the public on the importance of prescribed burning, which decreases hazardous ground fuels, reduces wildfire risk, promotes healthy forests and improves wildlife habitats. Prescribed burning is also a cost-effective tool used by land managers to provide proper habitats for many of Florida’s endangered and threatened species, control disease in trees, reduce pest problems and eradicate invasive species. The Florida Forest Service is the lead prescribed fire agency in Florida, offering training and Certified Prescribed Burner certifications to the public. On average, the department will issue more than 120,000 prescribed burn authorizations to burn over two million acres each year.

2012 - FLORIDA LAND STEWARD PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHES

Private lands in Florida provide a wide variety of services that benefit landowners and society, including recreational opportunities, economic activity, clean air, groundwater recharge, fish and wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, water filtration, and improved quality of life. The owners, or stewards, of these lands have diverse goals and objectives for their properties, which frequently include some combination of agriculture, forestry and wildlife habitat management and conservation. 

The Florida Forest Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and School of Forest Resources and Conservation, along with a many of other agencies and organizations, have been supporting the management and conservation efforts of private landowners for many years. These agencies and organizations provide support to landowners in the way of technical and financial assistance, developing resource management and conservation plans, and disseminating information through newsletters, websites, workshops, field days, and other means. 

In order to more successfully deliver consistent and effective information and better cater to the diversity of land ownerships and management objectives across the state, these natural resource agencies and organizations are working together on a new initiative, the Florida Land Steward Partnership. Partner agencies and organizations are collaborating more closely to develop and provide information and technical assistance that helps enhance the natural resource management capabilities of landowners. This includes the production and statewide distribution of a quarterly newsletter, a yearly calendar, and other printed materials. The next issue of The Florida Forest Steward newsletter will be the inaugural issue of the Florida Land Steward. It will have a new look but will continue to provide the information and resources you have come to expect such as the regular timber price update, events calendar and feature articles on the most current and relevant issues pertaining to private lands and conservation.  Program partners are also working closely together to coordinate workshops, tours, field days, and other trainings.  In addition, a Florida Land Steward website has been developed and is now online.  This site serves as a centralized source of information on land and natural resource management.  Learn more about the Florida Land Steward partnership and our collective resources for landowners and resource professionals at http://www.flsteward.org/.