FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 4/25/13

JOIN US AT THE 2013 UF-IFAS SFRC / FL SAF SPRING SYMPOSIUM
May 21-23, 2013; Gainesville, FL.  This is a two day symposium to present an array of practical applications regarding the use of GPS, satellite imagery, high resolution aerial stereo imagery, LiDAR, radar, and sonar technologies in natural resource management.  Sessions will develop practical applications of these tools for terrestrial and aquatic systems management; including uses for forest inventory, fire and fuels management, invasive species management, aquatic habitat assessment, and land use analysis and planning tools such as GIS.  Given the broad subject matter, we expect a large turnout. Registration will be limited to 200 attendees. Advanced registration is $175 and is available on Eventbrite: http://springsymposiumgeomatics.eventbrite.com/

SPOTLIGHT ON LAUREL WILT DISEASE
This week Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam spotlights laurel wilt disease, which affects trees such as redbay, avocado, sassafras and other related members of the laurel family. The spread of this disease could be devastating to Florida’s avocado industry. More information about laurel wilt and some potential strategies to reduce impacts is online at: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/enpp/pathology/laurel_wilt_disease.html.

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