Florida Land Steward News and Information: 2015

Monday, December 21, 2015

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 12/21/15

2016 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD CALENDARS ARE HERE!
Just in time for the Holidays, our 2016 Florida Land Steward Calendars are in. With beautiful photos, land management highlights, tips, partner resources and contacts, these make a great gift for you or the farmer/landowner on your list. First come, first serve for Forest Stewards, Tree Farmers, farmers, landowners, and private land managers while supplies last. Email Chris at cdemers@ufl.edu to request your copy. Please include your mailing address when you drop a line.

RECORDING OF DECEMBER 10 FOREST HEALTH UPDATE WORKSHOP NOW AVAILABLE!
Insects and diseases are natural components of the forest. Some of these insects and diseases can become pests when they inhibit tree regeneration and growth on a large scale. In addition to native pests, invasive exotic pests are a growing challenge, with new species being introduced every year. This workshop provides an update on current forest health issues and priorities across Florida with emphasis on proactive management and available assistance. Recorded presentations, materials and related links are all here.

FALL-WINTER ISSUE OF QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER
In this issue: Alters Named Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year 2015, Invasive Species Feature: Creeping Indigo, USDA NRCS Programs Help Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources, Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2015 Tax Year Available Online, USDA Helps Restore. Manage Longleaf Pine Forests on Private Lands, USDA Announces $350 Million Available to Help Protect and Restore Grasslands, Wetlands, Working Lands, Timber Price Update, Certified Forest Stewards and Tree Farmers.

Current and back issues of the Florida Land Steward here.

TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2015 TAX YEAR
Federal income tax laws can influence a private woodland owner’s financial decisions about land management. Yet, special favorable tax provisions on timber that are intended to encourage private forest management and stewardship are commonly unknown. To help woodland owners in filing their 2015 tax returns, this publication, by Dr. Linda Wang, USDA Forest Service National Timber Tax Specialist, explains the federal income tax laws on timber. The information is not legal or accounting advice. It is current as of September 30, 2015. This publication is available at http://www.timbertax.org

USDA HELPS RESTORE, MANAGE LONGLEAF PINE FORESTS ON PRIVATE LANDS
Longleaf Provides Critical Wildlife Habitat, Valuable Timber

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing $10.6 million to aid forest managers restoring longleaf pine ecosystems on private lands in nine states, including $1,278,000 for Florida. NRCS’ Longleaf Pine Initiative, has helped restore more than 240,000 acres of longleaf forests. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to help landowners and land managers plant longleaf as well as manage longleaf forests through practices like prescribed burning.

Assistance is available to land managers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Interested landowners are encouraged to contact their local USDA service center.

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 free Forest Health Diagnostic Forum: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/treehealth/forum/.

FOREST STEWARDSHIP VIDEOS - VIEW AND SHARE!
All the latest videos are on the Florida Forest Stewardship Program home page:
http://sfrc.ufl.edu/forest_stewardship

GOT AN INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEM?
Go to floridainvasives.org for information, assistance and partnership opportunities.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC?
Check the vast array of extension publications available through UF/IFAS on the EDIS publication site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Wow, there’s a publication about that?

ONGOING SERVICES, INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS:
______________________________________________________________________

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF WILDLIFE 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
Report black bear sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/getlatlong.aspx
Report southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) here:
https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

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/

Friday, December 11, 2015

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 12/11/15

RECORDING OF DECEMBER 10 FOREST HEALTH UPDATE WORKSHOP NOW AVAILABLE!
Insects and diseases are natural components of the forest. Some of these insects and diseases can become pests when they inhibit tree regeneration and growth on a large scale. In addition to native pests, invasive exotic pests are a growing challenge, with new species being introduced every year. This workshop provides an update on current forest health issues and priorities across Florida with emphasis on proactive management and available assistance. Recorded presentations, materials and related links are all here.

2016 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD CALENDARS ARE HERE!
Just in time for the Holidays, our 2016 Florida Land Steward Calendars are in. With beautiful photos, land management highlights, tips, partner resources and contacts, these make a great gift for you or the farmer/landowner on your list. First come, first serve for Forest Stewards, Tree Farmers, farmers, landowners, and private land managers while supplies last. Email Chris at cdemers@ufl.edu to request your copy. Please include your mailing address when you drop a line.

FALL-WINTER ISSUE OF QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER
In this issue: Alters Named Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year 2015, Invasive Species Feature: Creeping Indigo, USDA NRCS Programs Help Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources, Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2015 Tax Year Available Online, USDA Helps Restore. Manage Longleaf Pine Forests on Private Lands, USDA Announces $350 Million Available to Help Protect and Restore Grasslands, Wetlands, Working Lands, Timber Price Update, Certified Forest Stewards and Tree Farmers.

Current and back issues of the Florida Land Steward here.

TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2015 TAX YEAR
Federal income tax laws can influence a private woodland owner’s financial decisions about land management. Yet, special favorable tax provisions on timber that are intended to encourage private forest management and stewardship are commonly unknown. To help woodland owners in filing their 2015 tax returns, this publication, by Dr. Linda Wang, USDA Forest Service National Timber Tax Specialist, explains the federal income tax laws on timber. The information is not legal or accounting advice. It is current as of September 30, 2015. This publication is available at http://www.timbertax.org

USDA NRCS PROGRAMS HELP FLORIDA FARMERS, RANCHERS CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
Application deadline for financial assistance Dec. 18
Florida farmers and ranchers can apply until Dec. 18, 2015, for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs for fiscal year 2016 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year.

Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to conserve agricultural lands and wetlands. Agricultural Land Easements help farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Eligible partners are Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs. Wetland Reserve Easements offer technical and financial assistance directly to private landowners and Indian tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of a wetland easement.
Begin by visiting your local NRCS field office and requesting help developing a conservation plan. Our experts provide this free service to help you use your natural resources more efficiently. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.

USDA HELPS RESTORE, MANAGE LONGLEAF PINE FORESTS ON PRIVATE LANDS
Longleaf Provides Critical Wildlife Habitat, Valuable Timber

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
Report black bear sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/getlatlong.aspx
Report southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) here:
https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS HELEN ROTH: FLORIDA LAND STEWARD LANDOWNER OF 2015

Helen Roth with her electric chainsaw used to remove
brush and trees to restore her upland pine habitat.

The Florida Land Steward Partnership is very enthusiastic and pleased to honor Ms. Helen Roth, the Florida Land Steward Landowner of 2015. Helen and her property were featured in the Fall/Winter issue of the Florida Land Steward Newsletter. The following is a recap with some additional photos from her Forest Stewardship tour in April 2015. Spring Canyon LLC is a 100-acre Gadsden County property owned and managed by Helen, her husband Tom, and many energized and passionate friends and volunteers who share her passion for the land and its unique vegetation and wildlife. This beautiful property is home to steephead ravines and longleaf pine-wire grass sandhills.

Helen has traced the history of the property through property records and aerial photographs back to 1926 near the end of the turpentine era. In 1960, the land was donated to the First Baptist Church of Greensboro. The church put in a dam on Crooked Creek to create a small lake in the center of the property. Fire was excluded from the uplands during their ownership.

Shortly after a prescribed fire, following brush and tree removal.

Helen’s brother, Mark Bane, bought the property in 1993 and began working with the Forest Stewardship Program in 1994. He harvested the hardwoods from two of the three upland areas and applied prescribed fire to one of the areas before he passed away in 2005 and the property passed to Mark and Helen’s father. In 2008, Helen and Tom purchased the land from her father and entered Forest Stewardship Program. At that time, the one upland area that had been cleared and burned was in good shape so became Helen’s reference area for what the rest of the uplands should look like. In the areas that that had been cleared but not burned, natural regeneration of longleaf pine had occurred, but the encroaching hardwoods were head high. Helen was able to get a contractor to come in and conduct a prescribed burn in 2011. She quickly learned that the fire helped control small hardwood saplings that were invading the uplands, but it did not control the larger hardwoods enough to open up the habitat.

Helen’s goal for the property is to restore and maintain the longleaf pine-wiregrass uplands that will ultimately maintain healthy steephead ravines and provide good wildlife habitat. In 2012, Helen entered the Working Lands for Wildlife Program operated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Working Lands for Wildlife Program is focused on creating and restoring habitat for gopher tortoises. Helen was awarded a contract for 26.5 acres of brush management and prescribed burning. The upland sandhills were divided into 3 treatment areas and work on clearing brush and trees up to 6 inches in diameter began in the summer of 2013. Using a battery operated chainsaw, she and a volunteer cleared the first 8.5 acres by October of that year. By January 2014, they had cleared another 14 acres. In March 2014, the first burn on the three upland areas was conducted and Helen became a certified prescribed burn manager. The final 4 acres of brush management was finished in August 2014.

Since the completion of the brush management, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of gopher tortoises and fox squirrels using the property. New burrows are appearing and inactive burrows are being re-activated. The endangered Gholson’s Gayfeather (Liatris gholsonii) is one of many wildflowers exploding across the now open sandhill habitat, and the wiregrass has begun to recover after years of excessive shade and fire exclusion. To say the transformation has been spectacular is an understatement. One has to see the property to believe the change.

Helen Roth sharing experiences and information with fellow
landowners at her April 2015 Forest Stewardship Tour.

Helen loves to use the property to educate other landowners and those interested in Florida’s natural areas. Over the years she has led tours for the Florida Forest Stewardship Program, Florida Native Plant Society and the North American Butterfly Association and the Florida Trails Association. She has been visited by a number of university professors and researchers who have come to study the plants, wildlife, and ravines on her property. Much of what she has learned about the plants on the property she learned from members of the Florida Native Plant Society. She labels plants as people identify them so she is able to observe them throughout the seasons. This is a great way to learn how to identify plants whether in flower or not. Her philosophy has been that you need to learn the plants on your property so you know which ones are most vulnerable and need protection, and which ones are invasive and need to be removed to protect the native habitat. She encourages other landowners to get involved with their local native plant society chapter and begin learning the plants on their property. The more you learn, the more you will enjoy your property.

Helen's passion and hard work to restore her Spring Canyon property is an inspiration to all of us. Hats off to Helen, the 2015 Florida Land Steward Landowner of 2015!

Friday, November 20, 2015

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 11/20/15

FALL-WINTER ISSUE OF QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER
In this issue: Alters Named Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year 2015, Invasive Species Feature: Creeping Indigo, USDA NRCS Programs Help Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources, Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2015 Tax Year Available Online, USDA Helps Restore. Manage Longleaf Pine Forests on Private Lands, USDA Announces $350 Million Available to Help Protect and Restore Grasslands, Wetlands, Working Lands, Timber Price Update, Certified Forest Stewards and Tree Farmers.

Current and back issues of the Florida Land Steward here.

NOVEMBER 2015 ISSUE OF SOUTHERN FIRE EXCHANGE'S FIRE LINES NEWSLETTER
In this issue of our bimonthly newsletter, you will find articles that highlight research results from two recently published studies: Prescribed Fire Risk on Private Lands, and Smoke and Socially Vulnerable Populations.

In addition, you will find the following articles sharing resources, news, and upcoming events: Join Us December 3 for Mixing Height Webinar, Reaching Managers in the Field, Updated Resource on Insurance Options for Landowners and Consultants, International Wildland Fire Conference Highlights, Share Your Story: Southern Region Cohesive Strategy, and the Southeast Assessment of Climate Change Vulnerability

The current and back issue of the Fire Lines Newsletter here.

TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2015 TAX YEAR
Federal income tax laws can influence a private woodland owner’s financial decisions about land management. Yet, special favorable tax provisions on timber that are intended to encourage private forest management and stewardship are commonly unknown. To help woodland owners in filing their 2015 tax returns, this publication, by Dr. Linda Wang, USDA Forest Service National Timber Tax Specialist, explains the federal income tax laws on timber. The information is not legal or accounting advice. It is current as of September 30, 2015. This publication is available at http://www.timbertax.org

USDA NRCS PROGRAMS HELP FLORIDA FARMERS, RANCHERS CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
Application deadline for financial assistance Dec. 18
Florida farmers and ranchers can apply until Dec. 18, 2015, for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs for fiscal year 2016 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year.

Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to conserve agricultural lands and wetlands. Agricultural Land Easements help farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Eligible partners are Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs. Wetland Reserve Easements offer technical and financial assistance directly to private landowners and Indian tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of a wetland easement.
Begin by visiting your local NRCS field office and requesting help developing a conservation plan. Our experts provide this free service to help you use your natural resources more efficiently. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.

USDA HELPS RESTORE, MANAGE LONGLEAF PINE FORESTS ON PRIVATE LANDS
Longleaf Provides Critical Wildlife Habitat, Valuable Timber

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
Report black bear sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/getlatlong.aspx
Report southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) here:
https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

Friday, November 13, 2015

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 11/13/15

USDA HELPS RESTORE, MANAGE LONGLEAF PINE FORESTS ON PRIVATE LANDS
Longleaf Provides Critical Wildlife Habitat, Valuable Timber

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing $10.6 million to aid forest managers restoring longleaf pine ecosystems on private lands in nine states, including $1,278,000 for Florida. Longleaf pine forests nearly vanished, but a coordinated conservation effort, led by USDA and other conservation partners, is helping this unique ecosystem of the Southeast recover.

“USDA is committed to working with land managers to help restore and expand this critical ecosystem, and together we have restored nearly a quarter of a million acres since 2009,” said Russell Morgan, NRCS state conservationist in Florida. “Longleaf forests provide vital habitat to a variety of species as well as valuable timber. We look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in this next round of the initiative.”

During the past two centuries, development, timbering and fire suppression reduced the ecosystem’s range by almost 97 percent. Longleaf forests once dominated the coastal plains of the Southeast, and 29 threatened and endangered species – including the gopher tortoise and black pine snake – depend on these forests for survival.

NRCS’ Longleaf Pine Initiative, now in its sixth year, has helped restore more than 240,000 acres of longleaf forests. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to help landowners and land managers plant longleaf as well as manage longleaf forests through practices like prescribed burning.
Longleaf trees are resistant to fire, and prescribed burning mimics a natural process that once enabled them to thrive. Additionally, fire gives life to a fresh understory of plants that provides food for wildlife. Longleaf forests benefit both wildlife and land managers. Longleaf pine trees, while slower growing than other pines like loblolly, provide highly valuable timber. Longleaf pine straw has also become a popular landscaping material.

Assistance is available to land managers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Interested landowners are encouraged to contact their local USDA service center.

TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2015 TAX YEAR
Federal income tax laws can influence a private woodland owner’s financial decisions about land management. Yet, special favorable tax provisions on timber that are intended to encourage private forest management and stewardship are commonly unknown. To help woodland owners in filing their 2015 tax returns, this publication, by Dr. Linda Wang, USDA Forest Service National Timber Tax Specialist, explains the federal income tax laws on timber. The information is not legal or accounting advice. It is current as of September 30, 2015. This publication is available at http://www.timbertax.org

USDA NRCS PROGRAMS HELP FLORIDA FARMERS, RANCHERS CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
Application deadline for financial assistance Dec. 18
Florida farmers and ranchers can apply until Dec. 18, 2015, for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs for fiscal year 2016 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year.

Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to conserve agricultural lands and wetlands. Agricultural Land Easements help farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Eligible partners are Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs. Wetland Reserve Easements offer technical and financial assistance directly to private landowners and Indian tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of a wetland easement.

Begin by visiting your local NRCS field office and requesting help developing a conservation plan. Our experts provide this free service to help you use your natural resources more efficiently. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.

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 free Forest Health Diagnostic Forum: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/treehealth/forum/.

FOREST STEWARDSHIP VIDEOS - VIEW AND SHARE!
All the latest videos are on the Florida Forest Stewardship Program home page:
http://sfrc.ufl.edu/forest_stewardship

GOT AN INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEM?
Go to floridainvasives.org for information, assistance and partnership opportunities.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC?
Check the vast array of extension publications available through UF/IFAS on the EDIS publication site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Wow, there’s a publication about that?

ONGOING SERVICES, INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS:
______________________________________________________________________

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF WILDLIFE 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
Report black bear sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/getlatlong.aspx
Report southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) here:
https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

Thursday, November 5, 2015

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 11/5/15

TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2015 TAX YEAR
Federal income tax laws can influence a private woodland owner’s financial decisions about land management. Yet, special favorable tax provisions on timber that are intended to encourage private forest management and stewardship are commonly unknown. To help woodland owners in filing their 2015 tax returns, this publication, by Dr. Linda Wang, USDA Forest Service National Timber Tax Specialist, explains the federal income tax laws on timber. The information is not legal or accounting advice. It is current as of September 30, 2015. This publication is available at http://www.timbertax.org

USDA NRCS PROGRAMS HELP FLORIDA FARMERS, RANCHERS CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
Application deadline for financial assistance Dec. 18
Florida farmers and ranchers can apply until Dec. 18, 2015, for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs for fiscal year 2016 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year.

Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to conserve agricultural lands and wetlands. Agricultural Land Easements help farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Eligible partners are Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs. Wetland Reserve Easements offer technical and financial assistance directly to private landowners and Indian tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of a wetland easement.

Begin by visiting your local NRCS field office and requesting help developing a conservation plan. Our experts provide this free service to help you use your natural resources more efficiently. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.

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 free Forest Health Diagnostic Forum: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/treehealth/forum/.

FOREST STEWARDSHIP VIDEOS - VIEW AND SHARE!
All the latest videos are on the Florida Forest Stewardship Program home page:
http://sfrc.ufl.edu/forest_stewardship

GOT AN INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEM?
Go to floridainvasives.org for information, assistance and partnership opportunities.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC?
Check the vast array of extension publications available through UF/IFAS on the EDIS publication site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Wow, there’s a publication about that?

ONGOING SERVICES, INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS:
______________________________________________________________________

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF WILDLIFE 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
Report black bear sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/getlatlong.aspx
Report southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) here:
https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

Thursday, October 8, 2015

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 10/9/15

OCTOBER 18-24 OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AS WORKING FORESTS WEEK
The Florida Cabinet has officially recognized October 18-24, 2015 as “Working Forests Week.” The Florida Forestry Association has been working closely with the Florida Forest Service to make sure that this inaugural event makes a statewide splash and brings working forests the recognition for the many benefits they provide.

The Working Forest Partners, a collaboration between the Florida Forestry Association and Florida Audubon, have set a goal of having at least one activity in each county in the state. A “Working Forests Week” page on the Association's website includes a complete “tool box” of materials for visits to classrooms, presentations to civic and professional clubs and other activities of choice. The page has links to a video of a mock classroom presentation, sample scripts, a customizable Powerpoint presentation, handouts, and more.

To optimize the success of this first venture as well as to build a strong foundation for future Working Forests Weeks, the Association needs to keep good records of all related activities. Event organizers and others seeking information are asked to email Lee Ann Fisch at (LeeAnn@ForestFla.org) or by phone at (850) 222-5646. She will record the date and location for all activities and keep a running list on the webpage. This effort is intended to show the support for Working Forests Week and provide a connection tool for people from the same areas who might like to work together on a project.

ALTERS NAMED OUTSTANDING TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR
Florida Forestry Association Release
John and Elizabeth Alter of Malone, FL, have been named the 2015 Tree Farmer of the Year. They were honored at the Florida Forestry Association’s Annual Meeting held recently in Panama City Beach, FL.

The Alters own and manage nearly one thousand acres in northeast Jackson County. The land includes their home site and 18 tree farm stands, as well as profit-generating pasture lease for beef cattle, cultivated land for row crops, and a 100,000 square foot fenced plot with a wireless communications tower. They also hold hunting leases on the forested areas.

The Alters’ Tree Farm features 600 acres of pine plantations, including longleaf, slash and loblolly. Cypress trees more than 100 years old can be found in wetlands on the property. The land also supports abundant wildlife.

Portions of their land have been in the family since 1855, with new acreage added in 2002. Their stands range in age from 45-years to seedlings planted in January of this year. Continuing family ownership and management of the property is important to the Alters, so an LLC was formed in 2006 to assure smooth and efficient transition of their investment to the next generation responsible for Alter-Bevis Farms: their sons John Alter III and Mark Bevis Alter.

The Alter family clearly believes that to achieve successful silviculture and land management, landowners must create and use a practical management plan. To prepare their guidelines, they enlisted the assistance of their consulting foresters (American Forest Management), plus frequent invited visits by the County Forester—a truly valuable resource. Their intensive land and timber management includes timely treatments of prescribed fire, judicious herbicide applications, and appropriate mechanical removal of competition. Defined fence lines are necessary to define property limits for the landowner as well as their neighbors.

John Alter also believes that advocacy is an essential responsibility for landowners. As such, he has taken part in nearly ten visits to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and Tallahassee, FL. According to Alter, face-to-face relationships are valuable to the support of the entire timber industry.
“State and national forestry organizations do a great job of representing us at their respective levels, but that personal touch by the landowner is often what makes the difference,” said Alter.
Alter also believes in the importance of working with the media to educate the public about the forest industry.

Alter serves on the National Public Affairs Committee of the American Tree Farm System. He is also active on the Florida Forestry Association's Communications Committee and serves on the Association’s Board of Directors. In 2012, he was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to serve on the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

The Alter Family is proud to be selected as Florida’s 2015 Tree Farmer of the Year. It has been their intent to actively promote and practice good forestry by using best management practices, and through community outreach using education.

LAST WEEK TO REGISTER FOR OCTOBER 23 TOUR AT ALTER-BEVIS FARMS

Tree Farmers, forest landowners, and forestry and natural resource professionals are invited to join us in our congratulatory awards presentation of Florida’s 2015 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the year and forestry tour of John and Elizabeth Alter’s Alter-Bevis Tree Farm ON OCTOBER 23, 9:00 AM.

This tour is in association with Florida’s Forest Awareness Week (October 19-23, 2015). Meet and greet and refreshments will be provided near the property entrance at 9:00 am CT. Introductions and tour will begin at 9:30 am. After the tour we will travel to the Bascom Town Hall for the Alter’s Award presentation at 11:45 am. Lunch will be provided at noon. Join us for this opportunity to discuss forestry practices and mingle with landowners and forestry professionals.

This event is free but pre-registration is required. Please contact the UF/IFAS Jackson County Cooperative Extension Service at (850) 482-9620. RSVP BY noon on Friday, October 16th.

USDA NRCS PROGRAMS HELP FLORIDA FARMERS, RANCHERS CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
Application deadline for financial assistance Dec. 18
Florida farmers and ranchers can apply until Dec. 18, 2015, for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs for fiscal year 2016 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year.

Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to conserve agricultural lands and wetlands. Agricultural Land Easements help farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Eligible partners are Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs. Wetland Reserve Easements offer technical and financial assistance directly to private landowners and Indian tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of a wetland easement.

Begin by visiting your local NRCS field office and requesting help developing a conservation plan. Our experts provide this free service to help you use your natural resources more efficiently. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.

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 free Forest Health Diagnostic Forum: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/treehealth/forum/.

FOREST STEWARDSHIP VIDEOS - VIEW AND SHARE!
All the latest videos are on the Florida Forest Stewardship Program home page:
http://sfrc.ufl.edu/forest_stewardship

GOT AN INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEM?
Go to floridainvasives.org for information, assistance and partnership opportunities.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC?
Check the vast array of extension publications available through UF/IFAS on the EDIS publication site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Wow, there’s a publication about that?

ONGOING SERVICES, INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS:
______________________________________________________________________

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF WILDLIFE 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
Report black bear sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/getlatlong.aspx
Report southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) here:
https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

Friday, September 25, 2015

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPATE 9/25/15

NEW ISSUE OF SOUTHERN FIRE EXCHANGE'S FIRELINES NEWSLETTER
This issue includes summaries from three studies conducted in the Southeast as well as resources, news, and upcoming events :

Prescribed Fire Reduces Wildfire Activity over Time
Season of Burn in Longleaf Pine Plantations
Burn Season and Interval: A Long Term Look
SFE Events This Fall (including next week's Chinese tallow webinar!)
2016 JFSP Research Funding Opportunity Solicitation
Recap of the Prescribed Fire Communications Summit

Current and back issues here

CHECK OUT THE NEW FLORIDA TREE FARM PROGRAM PAGE
The American Tree Farm System is a program for woodland owners who are committed to sustainably managing their woods for wood, water, wildlife and recreation. Each state program is run by a diverse group of partners, such as state agencies, non-profit organizations, volunteers, foresters and landowners. Learn about Florida's Tree Farm Program contacts, resources, news and more at https://www.treefarmsystem.org/florida

ALTERS NAMED OUTSTANDING TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR
Florida Forestry Association Release
John and Elizabeth Alter of Malone, FL, have been named the 2015 Tree Farmer of the Year. They were honored at the Florida Forestry Association’s Annual Meeting held recently in Panama City Beach, FL.

The Alters own and manage nearly one thousand acres in northeast Jackson County. The land includes their home site and 18 tree farm stands, as well as profit-generating pasture lease for beef cattle, cultivated land for row crops, and a 100,000 square foot fenced plot with a wireless communications tower. They also hold hunting leases on the forested areas.

The Alters’ Tree Farm features 600 acres of pine plantations, including longleaf, slash and loblolly. Cypress trees more than 100 years old can be found in wetlands on the property. The land also supports abundant wildlife.

Portions of their land have been in the family since 1855, with new acreage added in 2002. Their stands range in age from 45-years to seedlings planted in January of this year. Continuing family ownership and management of the property is important to the Alters, so an LLC was formed in 2006 to assure smooth and efficient transition of their investment to the next generation responsible for Alter-Bevis Farms: their sons John Alter III and Mark Bevis Alter.

The Alter family clearly believes that to achieve successful silviculture and land management, landowners must create and use a practical management plan. To prepare their guidelines, they enlisted the assistance of their consulting foresters (American Forest Management), plus frequent invited visits by the County Forester—a truly valuable resource. Their intensive land and timber management includes timely treatments of prescribed fire, judicious herbicide applications, and appropriate mechanical removal of competition. Defined fence lines are necessary to define property limits for the landowner as well as their neighbors.

John Alter also believes that advocacy is an essential responsibility for landowners. As such, he has taken part in nearly ten visits to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and Tallahassee, FL. According to Alter, face-to-face relationships are valuable to the support of the entire timber industry.
“State and national forestry organizations do a great job of representing us at their respective levels, but that personal touch by the landowner is often what makes the difference,” said Alter.
Alter also believes in the importance of working with the media to educate the public about the forest industry.

Alter serves on the National Public Affairs Committee of the American Tree Farm System. He is also active on the Florida Forestry Association's Communications Committee and serves on the Association’s Board of Directors. In 2012, he was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to serve on the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

The Alter Family is proud to be selected as Florida’s 2015 Tree Farmer of the Year. It has been their intent to actively promote and practice good forestry by using best management practices, and through community outreach using education.

OCTOBER 23 TOUR AT ALTER-BEVIS FARMS

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
Report black bear sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/getlatlong.aspx
Report southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) here:
https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

Thursday, September 17, 2015

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 9/18/15

GET THE LATEST ON COGONGRASS AND CONTROL STRATEGIES, SEPTEMBER 24 2015, WALTON COUNTY EXTENSION
This workshop will cover how to quickly identify cogongrass, the latest information on controlling it, restoration after control, regional partnerships and available assistance in managing this and other invasive exotic species problems. FDACS Pesticide CEUs approved: 1 Stds/Core, 3 Prvt App, 3 Forestry, 3 Ag Row Crop, 3 Ag Tree Crop, 3 Nat Area Weeds, 3 ROW. SAF CFEs approved: 4 Cat 1.

Where: UF/IFAS Walton County Extension Office, 732 North 9th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL
32433 (directions on flier on website below).

When: September 24, 2015, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 pm CT

Register: $15 fee includes lunch, materials, CEUs and CFEs. Please register on-line at https://fsp-workshop092415.eventbrite.com/. You can also reserve a space by contacting Walton County Extension, (850) 892-8172 or haneyc@ufl.edu .

Presented by the Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, University of Florida / IFAS Forest Stewardship Program, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Florida A&M University, and the Florida Forest Service.

ALTERS NAMED OUTSTANDING TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR
Florida Forestry Association Release
John and Elizabeth Alter of Malone, FL, have been named the 2015 Tree Farmer of the Year. They were honored at the Florida Forestry Association’s Annual Meeting held recently in Panama City Beach, FL.

The Alters own and manage nearly one thousand acres in northeast Jackson County. The land includes their home site and 18 tree farm stands, as well as profit-generating pasture lease for beef cattle, cultivated land for row crops, and a 100,000 square foot fenced plot with a wireless communications tower. They also hold hunting leases on the forested areas.

The Alters’ Tree Farm features 600 acres of pine plantations, including longleaf, slash and loblolly. Cypress trees more than 100 years old can be found in wetlands on the property. The land also supports abundant wildlife.

Portions of their land have been in the family since 1855, with new acreage added in 2002. Their stands range in age from 45-years to seedlings planted in January of this year. Continuing family ownership and management of the property is important to the Alters, so an LLC was formed in 2006 to assure smooth and efficient transition of their investment to the next generation responsible for Alter-Bevis Farms: their sons John Alter III and Mark Bevis Alter.

The Alter family clearly believes that to achieve successful silviculture and land management, landowners must create and use a practical management plan. To prepare their guidelines, they enlisted the assistance of their consulting foresters (American Forest Management), plus frequent invited visits by the County Forester—a truly valuable resource. Their intensive land and timber management includes timely treatments of prescribed fire, judicious herbicide applications, and appropriate mechanical removal of competition. Defined fence lines are necessary to define property limits for the landowner as well as their neighbors.

John Alter also believes that advocacy is an essential responsibility for landowners. As such, he has taken part in nearly ten visits to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and Tallahassee, FL. According to Alter, face-to-face relationships are valuable to the support of the entire timber industry.
“State and national forestry organizations do a great job of representing us at their respective levels, but that personal touch by the landowner is often what makes the difference,” said Alter.
Alter also believes in the importance of working with the media to educate the public about the forest industry.

Alter serves on the National Public Affairs Committee of the American Tree Farm System. He is also active on the Florida Forestry Association's Communications Committee and serves on the Association’s Board of Directors. In 2012, he was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to serve on the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

The Alter Family is proud to be selected as Florida’s 2015 Tree Farmer of the Year. It has been their intent to actively promote and practice good forestry by using best management practices, and through community outreach using education.

OCTOBER 23 TOUR AT ALTER-BEVIS FARMS

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
Report black bear sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/getlatlong.aspx
Report southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) here:
https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

Thursday, September 10, 2015

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE 9/11/15

FORESTRY LEADING AG COMMODITY
A new report by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences names forestry and forest products manufacturing as Florida's largest agricultural commodity. According to the “Economic Contributions of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Industries in Florida in 2013," forestry grabbed the top spot with more than $9 billion in industry output impacts. Forest products also led the state's agricultural exports with $6.14 billion.
Read the executive summary.
Read the full report.

ALTERS NAMED OUTSTANDING TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR
Florida Forestry Association Release
John and Elizabeth Alter of Malone, FL, have been named the 2015 Tree Farmer of the Year. They were honored at the Florida Forestry Association’s Annual Meeting held recently in Panama City Beach, FL.

The Alters own and manage nearly one thousand acres in northeast Jackson County. The land includes their home site and 18 tree farm stands, as well as profit-generating pasture lease for beef cattle, cultivated land for row crops, and a 100,000 square foot fenced plot with a wireless communications tower. They also hold hunting leases on the forested areas.

The Alters’ Tree Farm features 600 acres of pine plantations, including longleaf, slash and loblolly. Cypress trees more than 100 years old can be found in wetlands on the property. The land also supports abundant wildlife.

Portions of their land have been in the family since 1855, with new acreage added in 2002. Their stands range in age from 45-years to seedlings planted in January of this year. Continuing family ownership and management of the property is important to the Alters, so an LLC was formed in 2006 to assure smooth and efficient transition of their investment to the next generation responsible for Alter-Bevis Farms: their sons John Alter III and Mark Bevis Alter.

The Alter family clearly believes that to achieve successful silviculture and land management, landowners must create and use a practical management plan. To prepare their guidelines, they enlisted the assistance of their consulting foresters (American Forest Management), plus frequent invited visits by the County Forester—a truly valuable resource. Their intensive land and timber management includes timely treatments of prescribed fire, judicious herbicide applications, and appropriate mechanical removal of competition. Defined fence lines are necessary to define property limits for the landowner as well as their neighbors.

John Alter also believes that advocacy is an essential responsibility for landowners. As such, he has taken part in nearly ten visits to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and Tallahassee, FL. According to Alter, face-to-face relationships are valuable to the support of the entire timber industry.
“State and national forestry organizations do a great job of representing us at their respective levels, but that personal touch by the landowner is often what makes the difference,” said Alter.
Alter also believes in the importance of working with the media to educate the public about the forest industry.

Alter serves on the National Public Affairs Committee of the American Tree Farm System. He is also active on the Florida Forestry Association's Communications Committee and serves on the Association’s Board of Directors. In 2012, he was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to serve on the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

The Alter Family is proud to be selected as Florida’s 2015 Tree Farmer of the Year. It has been their intent to actively promote and practice good forestry by using best management practices, and through community outreach using education.

OCTOBER 23 TOUR AT ALTER-BEVIS FARMS

Tree Farmers, forest landowners, and forestry and natural resource professionals are invited to join us in our congratulatory awards presentation of Florida’s 2015 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the year and forestry tour of John and Elizabeth Alter’s Alter-Bevis Tree Farm ON OCTOBER 23, 9:00 AM.

This tour is in association with Florida’s Forest Awareness Week (October 19-23, 2015). Meet and greet and refreshments will be provided near the property entrance at 9:00 am CT. Introductions and tour will begin at 9:30 am. After the tour we will travel to the Bascom Town Hall for the Alter’s Award presentation at 11:45 am. Lunch will be provided at noon. Join us for this opportunity to discuss forestry practices and mingle with landowners and forestry professionals.

This event is free but pre-registration is required. Please contact the UF/IFAS Jackson County Cooperative Extension Service at (850) 482-9620. RSVP BY noon on Friday, October 16th.

THE FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE SETS NATIONAL PRESCRIBED FIRE RECORD
By Chelsea Ealum, Florida Forest Service
The Florida Forest Service has announced that more than 246,000 acres of Florida state forests were treated with prescribed fire last year, the highest number ever reported by any state forestry agency in the country. The Florida Forest Service administers the top prescribed fire program in the nation. Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk. "Fortunately, there were many days last year that exhibited conditions favorable for prescribed fire. Conditions can change quickly and drastically in Florida, so the Florida Forest Service has made it a priority to take advantage of favorable conditions whenever they are present,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester and President of the National Association of State Foreters.

Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to protect Florida’s homes, structures and valuable natural resources by reducing the buildup of flammable plant materials. The reduction of this hazardous buildup results in increased wildfire safety for surrounding areas.

- See more at:
http://www.stateforesters.org/news-events/blog/florida-forest-service-sets-national-prescribed-fire-record#sthash.rDFTnDgI.dpuf

2015 COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FOREST INVENTORY ANALYSIS COMPLETE
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today the results of an inventory of Florida's nearly 17 million acres of forestland. The study, led by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Florida Forest Service, evaluated the distribution, availability, ownership and sustainability of Florida's timber resources. Florida's forestry industry employs 80,700 Floridians and infuses $16.3 billion into the state's economy.
“This study confirms that Florida's forest owners are good stewards of the land, taking excellent care of their working forests so that they are available for future generations,” Commissioner Adam H. Putnam said.

Findings from the 2015 Comprehensive Statewide Forest Inventory Analysis Study update include:

Forests cover nearly 17 million acres, or 47 percent of land in the state.
Forty-nine percent of forest area is pine, 45 percent is hardwood or mixed hardwood-pine, and 6 percent is cypress.
Almost 90 percent of state's 8.3 million acres of pine occur in North Florida.
Nearly two-thirds of Florida's forests are privately owned, with the highest proportions of private ownership in the northern part of the state.
Federal, state, county and municipal governments own 34 percent of forest land.
There are 62 primary active wood-using mills in Florida. The most common are sawmills, mulch, chip-and-saw and pulp mills.
Pine pulpwood is in the highest demand among all timber products, followed by pine sawtimber.
Cypress forests showed slight increase in acreage while mangroves held steady between the original 2013 and 2015 release of the study.

The Florida Legislature required the original Comprehensive Statewide Forest Inventory Analysis Study in 2012. The 2015 update focuses on mapping forestland cover, identifying forestland ownership and analyzing the growth and demand for timber resources. To view the Comprehensive Statewide Forest Inventory Analysis Study in its entirety, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/Forest_Inventory.

The Florida Forest Service, a division within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of public forestland while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire. Learn more about Florida Forest Service programs.

USDA NRCS PROGRAMS HELP FLORIDA FARMERS, RANCHERS CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
Application deadline for financial assistance Dec. 18
Florida farmers and ranchers can apply until Dec. 18, 2015, for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs for fiscal year 2016 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year.

Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to conserve agricultural lands and wetlands. Agricultural Land Easements help farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Eligible partners are Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs. Wetland Reserve Easements offer technical and financial assistance directly to private landowners and Indian tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of a wetland easement.

Begin by visiting your local NRCS field office and requesting help developing a conservation plan. Our experts provide this free service to help you use your natural resources more efficiently. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.

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 free Forest Health Diagnostic Forum: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/treehealth/forum/.

FOREST STEWARDSHIP VIDEOS - VIEW AND SHARE!
All the latest videos are on the Florida Forest Stewardship Program home page:
http://sfrc.ufl.edu/forest_stewardship

GOT AN INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEM?
Go to floridainvasives.org for information, assistance and partnership opportunities.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC?
Check the vast array of extension publications available through UF/IFAS on the EDIS publication site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Wow, there’s a publication about that?

ONGOING SERVICES, INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS:
______________________________________________________________________

FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF WILDLIFE 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
Report black bear sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/getlatlong.aspx
Report southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) here:
https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=