FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 2/1/13

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR FLORIDA LANDOWNERS INTERESTED IN LONGLEAF PINE Landowners in Florida who want to establish or improve longleaf pine on their properties can take advantage of cost-share funds offered through the NRCS.  In addition to the potential cost-share funds, landowners will receive a wildlife management plan and maps for their property.  These forests provide an important and diverse habitat that is home to numerous federally listed endangered species such as the indigo snake, red-cockaded woodpecker and gopher tortoise.  They also provide outstanding habitat for white-tailed deer and wild turkeys, along with many non-game species.  Cost-share programs such as this are vital to restoring the longleaf pine to its former grandeur and to helping landowners maintain their lands as working forests.  Working forests provide clean water, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, which benefit landowners, wildlife, hunters and anyone who enjoys the outdoors.  This longleaf restoration and management opportunity is available thanks to a cooperative agreement between the Natural Resources Conservation Service and National Wild Turkey Federation.  Landowners do not have to be NWTF members to participate.  Landowners in Florida who are interested in this cost-share opportunity should contact NWTF regional biologists Derek Alkire at (352) 262-2373 or dalkire@nwtf.net or Ricky Lackey at (229) 378-0003 or rlackey@nwtf.net.  Contact your local NRCS office for more information about this and other Farm Bill Programs via http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=FL.

2012 TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS NOW AVAILABLE
Tax Tips for forest landowners for preparation of 2012 tax returns available at: http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/tax.shtml.

SUPPORT THE NEW AUSTIN CARY FOREST LEARNING CENTER
A new Learning Center will be built to replace the Conference Center that burned in July 2011.  More information about this new facility and how you can help are at this link:
http://sfrc.ifas.ufl.edu/Learning_Center/fundraising.html

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

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!

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