Friday, December 5, 2014

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 12/5/14


NEW UF/IFAS ASSESSMENT OF NON-NATIVE PLANTS IN FLORIDA'S NATURAL AREAS WEB RESOURCE
After over a year of development the new UF/IFAS Assessment of Nonnative Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas web site and database is live: http://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/

The UF/IFAS Assessment uses literature-based risk assessment tools to predict the invasion risk of nonnative species that occur in the state as well as species proposed for introduction. 
UF/IFAS faculty members rely on the recommendations of the UF/IFAS Assessment when discussing the use of nonnative plants and any UF/IFAS Extension publication or newsletter referring to specific nonnative plants (e.g., invasiveness, ecology, distribution, management, use, and value) should include the recommendations of the UF/IFAS Assessment.

The website features 800+ species, easily searchable by common or scientific name, and results can be filtered by origin, conclusion, tool used, growth form, etc. Over 1500 pictures (all open source or credited) were compiled and growth form, origin, and links (EDDMaps, USDA Plants Database, UF Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants) were entered. Check it out! http://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/      


CFEOR UPDATE NEWSLETTER
The recent newsletter of the UF Conserved Forest Ecosystems: Outreach and Research program is available. Features include Improving Control of Japanese Climbing Fern Growth and Reproduction, Site Occupancy of Foraging Bats on Landscapes of Managed Pine Forest and more. Newsletter at:
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/CFEOR/docs/updates/CFEOR_Updates_111414.pdf


GUIDE TO USDA PROGRAMS SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, CONSERVATION, FOOD SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Contains informative 1-2 page summaries of the latest Farm Bill programs. Available at:
http://www.privatelandownernetwork.org/pdfs/building_sust_farms.pdf


REVIEW FWC HUNTING REGULATION CHANGES - DEER MANAGEMENT UNITS
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been working with a framework for the public to have a say in white-tailed deer management. This framework is based on Deer Management Units (DMUs).  The FWC has finished the initial public input process and now have proposals for Zone A, B and C (east FL). You can review the proposals and take a survey to provide feedback. Zone D (west FL) - learn about new rules implementing greater antler regulations and changes to the antlerless deer season for the 2014-2015 season.  For more information on Zone D rules and the survey for Zones A, B and C details see http://www.myfwc.com/deer


WILDLIFE BMPs ADOPTED
A new set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) related to the protection of 16 species of Florida wildlife has been officially adopted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The adoption of the wildlife BMPs for forestry represents the culmination of a multi-year effort directed at proactively protecting a group of "imperiled" species. The Wildlife BMP manual is available on Florida Forest Service website:
  http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service
NEW FOREST STEWARDSHIP VIDEOS  - VIEW AND SHARE!
All the new videos are on the Florida Forest Stewardship Program home page:
http://sfrc.ufl.edu/forest_stewardship


TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2014 TAX YEAR
Tax laws on timber transactions are very specialized but important to timber owners in terms of the ongoing cost of owning and managing timber, forest stewardship and compliance to the tax law. This bulletin reviews the major federal income tax laws to help forest owners in filing their 2014 income tax returns. The information presented here is current as of September 30, 2014:
2014 TAX TIPS (pdf)

         
COGONGRASS TREATMENT COST-SHARE PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Applications accepted through Feb. 27, 2015 to remove invasive plant
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Forest Service is now accepting applications for the Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program. Cogongrass is an invasive, non-native grass, which occurs in Florida and several other southeastern states. Cogongrass infestations negatively affect tree regeneration, growth and survival, as well as wildlife habitat, native plant diversity, forage quality and property values. They also increase the risk of wildfires and alter fire behavior.
The Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program is offered for non-industrial private lands in all Florida counties. It provides reimbursement of 50 percent of the cost to treat Cogongrass infestations for two consecutive years. Applicants who wish to conduct treatments in 2014 may apply from Sept. 22, 2014 through Oct. 3, 2014. Applicants who wish to conduct treatments in 2015 may apply from Oct. 6, 2014 through Feb. 27, 2015.
To learn more about this program and obtain an application form, contact a local Florida Forest Service office or visit http://www.FloridaForestService.com. All qualifying applications will be evaluated and ranked for approval. This program is supported through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service.
For more information about cogongrass and management see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg202
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit http://www.FreshFromFlorida.com.



TO CERTIFY OR NOT: FLORIDA TREE FARM PROGRAM NEEDS TO DECIDE
Something that sets the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) apart from all other private land stewardship programs is forest certification.  ATFS Tree Farms are currently third party certified as sustainable (or “green”) and products can be sold as such at market.  Florida, along with the other states are now being presented with a choice to make: to either stay in or opt out of ATFS Certification status depending on the importance we see in it.  The Florida Tree Farm Committee will be required to make a formal declaration by December 31, 2015 of whether or not we want to continue as a state program of “third party certified” Tree Farms.  The alternative is to revert to a “recognition” program that no longer has a “certification” status.  As Tree Farmers, The Florida Tree Farm Committee would like your opinion of whether Florida should remain in a “certified” Tree Farm program, or drop the requirement for third party certification.  Please reply with any comments you may have on this to Phil Gornicki, State Tree Farm Coordinator at 850-222-5646 or phil@forestfla.org.


ONGOING SERVICES, INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS:
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HELP STILL NEEDED - COYOTES VS BOBCATS: WHAT ARE THEY EATING?
The University of Florida is conducting a study of coyote dietary habits in Florida and needs YOU to donate your catch! We are especially interested in how coyotes are affecting white-tailed deer, turkeys, bobwhite quail, livestock, and pets! YOUR help is needed to obtain legally acquired coyote carcasses, with or without pelts. We will also accept coyote stomachs and intestines if you cannot store the whole carcass. Carcasses or stomachs and intestines should be frozen in a suitable bag or container, and include the name of contributor, animal weight/sex, date harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained. Arrangements can be made to get carcasses from you at the University or combine your animals with others in your area for a pickup. 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!

Lauren N. Watine & Bill Giuliano
E-mail: LNWATINE@UFL.EDU
Office: 352-846-0575

SOMETHING BUGGING YOUR TREES?
Do you have pests or a disease in your trees? Leaves or needles wilting, and you don’t know why? Sawdust falling out of your trees, and you don’t know how to save them? There is help: ask your question at the new Forest Health Diagnostic Forum: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/treehealth/forum/.
Run by forest health specialists at the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Department of Entomology and the Florida Forest Service, this is the fastest and the most accurate forest pest and disease diagnostics available in the State of Florida. It’s free, logging in is easy, and replies are prompt. We are also happy to examine your samples, or visit your site for a minimal fee. We are here to help you protect your trees!

"TIME TO THIN" VIDEO ON YOUTUBE
Not your usual instructional video - check it out! In just a little over two minutes, explains why thinning is important and how to get started, with a live link to more information. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBxGxeAagtE

PUBLIC INVITED TO REVIEW FWC IMPERILED SPECIES ACTION PLANS
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites your feedback on the Imperiled Species Management Plan, which will be the blueprint for conserving 60 species on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species list. Be a part the process. See http://www.myfwc.com/Imperiled to learn more and participate.

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS:

FWC WILDLIFE LEGACY INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER
See the latest news at: http://myfwc.com/conservation/special-initiatives/fwli/news/winter-2014/

UF/IFAS SCHOOL OF FOREST RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION EXTENSION PROGRAMS
See http://sfrc.ufl.edu/extension

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

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA CONTINUING FORESTRY EDUCATION CLASSES
See http://conted.warnell.uga.edu/ for the latest offerings.

ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION FORESTRY WEBINARS
See http://www.aces.edu/natural-resources/forestry/
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