FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 8/31/12

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. Full report here: http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/CFEOR/

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF PANTHER AND CHIPMUNK SIGHTINGS
Report chipmunk sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/chipmunk/getlatlong.aspx  
Report panther sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/PantherSightings/getlatlong.aspx

"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

COYOTES VS BOBCATS: WHAT ARE THEY 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. We will also accept coyote and bobcat stomachs and intestines if you cannot store the whole carcass. If you have at least 5 animals that you would like to provide us, you can contact Lauren Watine (352-846-0558; lnwatine@ufl.edu) or Bill Giuliano (352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu) at the University of Florida to arrange for pickup. 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 or stomachs and intestines should be frozen in a suitable bag or container, and include the name of contributor, animal sex, date harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained. 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 in 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