Wednesday, July 18, 2012

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 7/18/12

UF STUDY DETERMINES VALUE OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ON FOREST STEWARDSHIP LANDS AT $2.07 BILLION
A recent study, by the UF-IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation, quantified the economic values of four key ecosystem services provided by  437,800 acres of Florida’s working forests enrolled in the Forest Stewardship Program (FSP): water quality, carbon storage, timber production, and wildlife conservation. The study found that, on average, a typical acre of forest enrolled in the FSP provides ecosystem services with a present value of $5,030 for a mix of private and public uses. This can be interpreted as how much the future stream of ecosystem services from the typical acre is worth in today’s dollars (assuming a 3% discount rate, 20-year time horizon), and it includes both outputs that are sold on the market by landowners (timber) and those that typically are not (water quality, carbon sequestration, and wildlife habitat).  

Altogether, the present value of these ecosystem services from FSP forests was more than $2.07 billion; water provided the largest share of the value (66%), followed by carbon stocks (25%), timber production (7%) and wildlife (2%). Results are a conservative estimate but can be used to inform the public and policy-makers about the benefits of programs such as the FSP that maintain and conserve working forests. Full report here: http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/CFEOR/

WEYERHAEUSER ANNOUNCES SUPPLY CHAIN PREFERENCE FOR TREE FARM CERTIFIED WOOD
Weyerhaeuser, one of the world's largest forest products companies, announced a supply chain preference for certified material sourced from the American Tree Farm System. The preference for ATFS wood will be implemented at Weyerhaeuser through a number of measures, including incentives, procurement decisions, corporate policy, and support for expansion of the American Tree Farm System. See ATFS news piece for more details.

USDA ANNOUNCES EVERGLADES INITIATIVE
Through the Everglades Initiative, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and partners work with producers and landowners to implement voluntary conservation practices that improve water quality, control invasive plant species, benefit wildlife and fish habitat and support rural economies in the Florida Everglades region. $80 million is available through easement and cost-share programs. See NRCS Everglades Initiative web site for more details.

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF CHIPMUNK SIGHTINGS
Eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) are listed as a Species of Special Concern in Florida, and are known locally as ground squirrels. Chipmunks have reddish-brown fur with alternating light and dark stripes along their back. Information on current distribution and abundance are lacking. Your observations can help FWC biologists to evaluate the conservation needs of chipmunks and develop a management plan for keeping their populations healthy. Report sightins here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/chipmunk/getlatlong.aspx
Questions? Please contact Chris Winchester (Chris.Winchester@MyFWC.com)

SMALL FARMS AND ALTERNATIVE ENTERPRISES CONFERENCE: EDUCATING ENTREPRENEURS TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS, JULY 27-29, 2012, KISSIMMEE, FL
See the website for more details and registration: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms/index.html

"YOUR BACKYARD WOODS AND WILDLIFE" BOOK NOW AVAILABLE AT UF-IFAS BOOKSTORE
Available for sale online and qualifies for quantity discount pricing:
http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p-1177-your-backyard-woods-and-wildlife-a-handbook-for-florida-landowners.aspx

UF BIOLOGISTS SEEK HELP FINDING OUT WHAT COYOTES ARE EATING
Coyote carcasses wanted! If you have at least 5 coyote carcasses that you would like to provide for this study, 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 - SUMMER QUARTER
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

ONLINE EVENTS / EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/florida_forestry_information/events_calendar/online_events.html

WANT TO SUPPORT FLORIDA'S FOREST STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM?
Your contribution will help support Forest Stewardship Program outreach events across Florida. More information

Monday, July 2, 2012

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 7/2/12

"YOUR BACKYARD WOODS AND WILDLIFE" BOOK NOW AVAILABLE AT UF-IFAS BOOKSTORE
“Your Backyard Woods and Wildlife: A Handbook for Florida Landowners” is the University of Florida’s first and only book designed for landowners of small properties of 20 acres or less.  The book begins with an introduction to Florida's ecosystems, plants and wildlife, and some basics on how to assess forest health. The second section details some land management strategies, and the third section is an extensive catalog of useful print and online resources.  For landowners interested in managing their land, making back a little money, and/or conserving Florida’s natural resources for future generations, Your Backyard Woods and Wildlife is a great place to start.  The book is available for sale online and qualifies for quantity discount pricing:
http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p-1177-your-backyard-woods-and-wildlife-a-handbook-for-florida-landowners.aspx

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA CELEBRATES 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MORRILL ACT, BEGINNING OF THE LAND GRANT UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
The Morrill Act, passed in 1862, established the land grant university system by which public lands were donated to support colleges, providing citizens greater access to higher education. For more information about this and associated landmark legislation, see http://landgrant.ufl.edu/

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF CHIPMUNK SIGHTINGS
Eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) are listed as a Species of Special Concern in Florida, and are known locally as ground squirrels. Chipmunks have reddish-brown fur with alternating light and dark stripes along their back. Information on current distribution and abundance are lacking. Your observations can help FWC biologists to evaluate the conservation needs of chipmunks and develop a management plan for keeping their populations healthy. Report sightins here:
https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/chipmunk/getlatlong.aspx
Questions? Please contact Chris Winchester (Chris.Winchester@MyFWC.com)

SMALL FARMS AND ALTERNATIVE ENTERPRISES CONFERENCE: EDUCATING ENTREPRENEURS TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS, JULY 27-29, 2012, KISSIMMEE, FL
Early registration deadline is July 9 but many sessions have limited capacity so register as soon as possible. See the website for more details and registration: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms/index.html

UF BIOLOGISTS SEEK HELP FINDING OUT WHAT COYOTES ARE EATING
Coyote carcasses wanted! If you have at least 5 coyote carcasses that you would like to provide for this study, 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 - SUMMER QUARTER
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

FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES WEBINARS
For a calendar of upcoming webinars on a variety of land management topics see:
http://www.forestrywebinars.net/webinar-calendar/month#.T-zLkBhgZys.blogger

ONLINE EVENTS / EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/florida_forestry_information/events_calendar/online_events.html

WANT TO SUPPORT FLORIDA'S FOREST STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM?
Your contribution will help support Forest Stewardship Program outreach events across Florida. More information