Friday, March 15, 2013

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 3/15/13

LAST DAY TO APPLY - FEDERAL FUNDS AVAILABLE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IN GULF WATERSHEDS
Today 3/15 is the last day for agricultural producers in Gulf watersheds to apply for financial incentives from the Gulf of Mexico Initiative resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Financial assistance is available to help eligible producers focus on reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and improving wildlife habitat on cropland, pastureland, and forestland, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information about signing-up for this initiative:
Suwannee County District Conservationist:
Chris Menhennett, 386-362-2622, x3 * 10096 US Highway 129, Live Oak, FL, 32060
Lafayette County District Conservationist:
Melvin DeShazior, 386-294-1851, x3 * 176 SW Community Circle, Ste C, Mayo, FL, 32066
Escambia County District Conservationist:
Josh McElhaney, 850-587-5404, x3 * 151 Highway 97, Molina, FL, 32577

PUBLIC INVITED TO REVIEW IMPERILED SPECIES ACTION PLANSThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is introducing draft species action plans followed by an Imperiled Species Management Plan that will be the blueprint for conserving 60 species on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species list.The public is invited to be part of the process. See http://www.myfwc.com/Imperiled to learn more.

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.
The US Forest Service's new timber tax handbook is available at: http://www.timbertax.org/taxpolicy/FS_Landowners_Tax_Guide.pdf

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF PANTHER, CHIPMUNK, and MINK 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
Report mink sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/mink/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

Monday, March 4, 2013

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 3/4/13

MARCH 3-8 IS NATIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK
See http://www.floridainvasives.org/ for workshops and events going on in Florida.

FEDERAL FUNDS AVAILABLE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IN GULF WATERSHEDS
Agricultural producers in Gulf watersheds have until March 15 to apply for financial incentives from the Gulf of Mexico Initiative resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Financial assistance is available to help eligible producers focus on reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and improving wildlife habitat on cropland, pastureland, and forestland, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information about signing-up for this initiative:
Suwannee County District Conservationist:
Chris Menhennett, 386-362-2622, x3 * 10096 US Highway 129, Live Oak, FL, 32060
Lafayette County District Conservationist:
Melvin DeShazior, 386-294-1851, x3 * 176 SW Community Circle, Ste C, Mayo, FL, 32066
Escambia County District Conservationist:
Josh McElhaney, 850-587-5404, x3 * 151 Highway 97, Molina, FL, 32577


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.
The US Forest Service's new timber tax handbook is available at: http://www.timbertax.org/taxpolicy/FS_Landowners_Tax_Guide.pdf

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF PANTHER, CHIPMUNK, and MINK SIGHTINGS
Report chipmunk sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/chipmunk/getlatlong.aspx  
Report panther sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/PantherSightings/getlatlong.aspxReport mink sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/mink/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