The Florida Tree Farm Program is seeking nominations for the 2020 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. Landowners in the Tree Farm Program can discuss the nomination process with their Tree Farm Inspector or Florida Forest Service County Forester. Inspectors are reminded to turn in their nominations to Ginger.Morgan@MyFWC.com by May 8, 2020. Thanks for your participation in this process.
STAYING CONNECTED: HELEN AND TOM ROTH FEATURED ON WILD WANDER VIDEO SERIES
This week we revisit our 2015 Florida Land Stewards of the Year, Helen and Tom Roth, who were featured on the final episode of the Wild Wander video series. Enjoy a virtual visit to Helen and Tom's Spring Canyon property in Gadsden County and learn about their longleaf pine ecosystem restoration efforts in this episode: Wild Wander - Citizen Ecosystem Restoration
This week we revisit our 2015 Florida Land Stewards of the Year, Helen and Tom Roth, who were featured on the final episode of the Wild Wander video series. Enjoy a virtual visit to Helen and Tom's Spring Canyon property in Gadsden County and learn about their longleaf pine ecosystem restoration efforts in this episode: Wild Wander - Citizen Ecosystem Restoration
This episode was made possible by the generous support Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy. Tall Timbers is the home of fire ecology, and has worked for over fifty years to promote prescribed fire, wildlife research, and operate as land trusts. They've permanently protected and helped manage hundreds of thousands of acres, right in the heart of the longleaf pine's range. As an exciting side note, Tom and Helen are working with Tall Timbers to secure a conservation easement on their property, which will permanently protect their little slice of the longleaf pine ecosystem forever. For more information on Tall Timbers, and their dedication to protecting the longleaf pine ecosystem, visit talltimbers.org.
Your one-stop link for all the Florida Land Steward Partner contacts you need to get some assistance in your land management efforts: http://floridalandsteward.org/contacts.html
NATIONAL STAY-AT-HOME WEED WRANGLE CHALLENGE - CONTROL INVASIVE PLANTS AT YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY
Quarantine means time at home and your Weed Wrangle® partners are getting out into our own yards! We challenge you to choose that one invasive plant, in your own space that has been nagging at you. Plan and implement a mission to eradicate it in the next two weeks. If you need help on how to manage your Invasives-at-Home, we are here to help. Let's free our neighborhoods from invasive plants!
The Stay-at-Home Weed Wrangle® is a Nationwide event and anyone can join. Attached are two Jpeg logos for your use when inviting all to participate. Feel free to edit and post to your social media accounts. When you have completed the work, share a before and after, photograph to info@weedwrangle.org and we will post them on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
Quarantine means time at home and your Weed Wrangle® partners are getting out into our own yards! We challenge you to choose that one invasive plant, in your own space that has been nagging at you. Plan and implement a mission to eradicate it in the next two weeks. If you need help on how to manage your Invasives-at-Home, we are here to help. Let's free our neighborhoods from invasive plants!
The Stay-at-Home Weed Wrangle® is a Nationwide event and anyone can join. Attached are two Jpeg logos for your use when inviting all to participate. Feel free to edit and post to your social media accounts. When you have completed the work, share a before and after, photograph to info@weedwrangle.org and we will post them on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
Stay-at-Home and Weed Wrangle® to remove invasives and restore your habitat for native plants and wildlife.
ANNOUNCING STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMNT (SAFE) INITIATIVE THROUGH USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY'S CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (CRP)
State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement allows producers to install practices that benefit high priority State wildlife conservation objectives by using targeted restoration of vital habitat. This cooperative conservation effort is based on locally developed conservation proposals that address highest priority wildlife objectives. SAFE proposals may be developed and put forth by a Federal, State, or local agency, or by a private organization. Ideally, all partners will develop proposals under a cooperative and collaborative agreement. For more details see this USDA fact sheet about the SAFE initiative. Submit proposals by June 19, 2020. Please direct questions to Amy Roller, Agriculture Program Specialist, Farm Service Agency, amy.roller@usda.gov, 352-379-4520.
State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement allows producers to install practices that benefit high priority State wildlife conservation objectives by using targeted restoration of vital habitat. This cooperative conservation effort is based on locally developed conservation proposals that address highest priority wildlife objectives. SAFE proposals may be developed and put forth by a Federal, State, or local agency, or by a private organization. Ideally, all partners will develop proposals under a cooperative and collaborative agreement. For more details see this USDA fact sheet about the SAFE initiative. Submit proposals by June 19, 2020. Please direct questions to Amy Roller, Agriculture Program Specialist, Farm Service Agency, amy.roller@usda.gov, 352-379-4520.
TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2019 TAX YEAR
The extended tax filing deadline is July 15 .
The Federal income tax laws contain forestry-specific provisions that are important for those managing and conserving timber. This publication provides forest owners, foresters, loggers, and timber businesses a guide to the applicable Federal income tax laws, including the latest tax law changes, for filing 2019 tax returns. The information is not intended to render legal or accounting advice and is current as of September 30, 2019. Access the 2019 timber tax tips and more related information at https://www.timbertax.org/
USDA ANNOUNCES SIGNUP FOR CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
The application deadline for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is June 1, 2020. Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service helps agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques.
Changes in the 2018 Farm Bill authorizes NRCS to accept new CSP enrollments from now until 2023, and it makes some improvements to the program. These updates include: NRCS now enrolls eligible, high-ranking applications based on dollars rather than acres; for fiscal 2020, NRCS in Florida can spend up to $7 million in the program, which covers part of the cost for producers implementing new conservation activities and maintaining their existing activities; higher payment rates are now available for certain conservation activities, including cover crops and resource conserving crop rotations; the annual payment limitation of $40,000 no longer applies.
While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline to ensure their applications are considered for 2020 funding. For additional information about CSP, contact your local USDA service center. Offices are currently operating by phone only. https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus
2020 AG LAND CONSERVATION EASEMENT SIGNUP EXTENDED TO MAY 6
Applications to fund agricultural easements in Florida are now being accepted until May 6 (deadline extended). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides financial and technical assistance to conserve working lands and wetlands through two programs: Agricultural Land Easements and Wetland Reserve Easements. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis, funding selections are typically made once a year. Agricultural landowners and Indian tribes can apply for a Wetland Reserve Easement to restore wetlands, protect wildlife habitat and recharge groundwater on their property. Eligible landowners can enroll in a permanent or 30-year easement. NRCS provides financial assistance to conservation partners to purchase an Agricultural Land Easement that protects the agricultural use of cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forestland.
Contact Crenel Francis at 352-338-9508 for questions and submissions.
CAMP KIDS IN THE WOODS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA'S AUSTIN CARY FOREST
Is your 10-14 year old child looking for fun adventure this summer? Consider Camp Kids in the Woods! Campers will conduct various field explorations led by local scientists from forestry, wildlife, and water resources. Highlights include activities in fishing, wildlife handling, tree identification, fire ecology, exploring local ecosystems, a trip to a spring, camping out one night at the Austin Cary Forest, building wildlife nesting boxes, and participating in games and scavenger hunts. After a week of fun in the forest, campers gain a better understanding and deeper appreciation of their natural world and what is required to be a good steward of the environment. Camp Kids in the Woods summer program is a collaborative effort between the University of Florida’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation and the USDA Forest Service.
Dates: Session 1: June 1-5; Session 2: June 8-12; Session 3: June 22-26
Ages: 10-14 year olds
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Free extended hours available to help fit your schedule.
Location: Austin Cary Forest, 10625 NE Waldo Rd, Gainesville, FL 32609. Shuttle service that picks up and drops off at Westside Park available for a small fee.
Cost: $275/Session. If you sign up for two sessions, we offer a 10% discount. We also have partial scholarships available, please contact Molly Disabb for more information.
For more information visit: www.campkidsinthewoods.org and to register visit: http://reg.conferences.dce.ufl.edu/Basic/1400075863To contact the Camp Director Molly Disabb, email kidsinthewoods@ifas.ufl.edu or call 352-378-2451.
FUNDING AVAILABLE TO COVER CONSULTANT FOREST STEWARDSHIP MANAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATIONThe Florida Forest Service has received funding to help cover the costs for private natural resource consultants to write Forest Stewardship plans covering hurricane resiliency and/or longleaf pine management. Eligible Stewardship plans must include information and recommendations related to: forest resilience and recovery following hurricanes, forest and landowner preparedness for hurricanes, and/or resources available to assist private forest landowners following hurricanes and/or longleaf pine establishment, restoration, improvement, and management for landowners with longleaf stands or those who want to establish longleaf pine on appropriate sites.
Compensation rates and additional information are provided in the Forest Stewardship Program Consultant Plan Preparation Agreement available at: https://forms.freshfromflorida.com/11268.pdf. This form also serves as the application for reimbursement. All applications that meet requirements as described above will be considered in the order in which they are received. Please contact Jennifer Tucker-Jenks at Jennifer.Tucker-Jenks@FreshFromFlorida.com or your county forester for more information. Find your county forester at https://www.freshfromflorida.com/CountyForester
PRESCRIBED BURN ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FROM ATTACK-ONE FIRE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, TALL TIMBERS RESEARCH STATION, AND ALACHUA CONSERVATION TRUST
These organizations are available to meet onsite with landowners to discuss their goals and assist with prescribed burn prescription and implementation.
Attack-One Fire Management Services is grant-funded to assist landowners with current NRCS contracts with prescribed fire planning and implementation throughout Florida and Georgia. We can also assist landowners who have former NRCS contracts with prescribed fire consultation, planning and implementation with active Gopher Tortoise habitat present. For more information email Kevin Carter, kevin@attack-one.com or John McGuire, jmcguire@attack-one.com or call (850) 926-6534
Tall Timbers Research Station is now funded by a Longleaf Legacy Landscape project to provide fire consultation, planning, and implementation to private landowners in the Florida Panhandle from Pensacola to Lake City and in west Georgia as far north as the Chattahoochee Fall Line (Columbus, GA). Contact Jeremiah Cates, jcates@talltimbers.org, (850) 381-8707
Alachua Conservation Trust has a prescribed fire specialist available to assist private landowners with burn planning in Alachua, Putnam, Marion, Levy, Bradford, Clay and portions of Flagler, Volusia, Lake, Sumter, and Citrus Counties. Contact Barry Coulliette at act.barryc@gmail.com
FLORIDA LAND STEWARD PARTNERS WEB MAP TOOL
Use this web tool to identify resources at a local watershed scale. The map is at this link: http://viewer.apps.pflcc.databasin.org/v1/index.html. More about this effort and how to use the tool here.
ONGOING INITIATIVES / SERVICES / OPPORTUNTIES
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FLORIDA LAND STEWARD PARTNERS WEB MAP TOOL
Use this web tool to identify resources and assistance at a local watershed scale. The map is at this link: http://viewer.apps.pflcc.databasin.org/v1/index.html.
More about this effort and how to use the tool here.
REPORT BOBWHITE QUAIL AND OTHER WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
To help restore the state’s northern bobwhite quail populations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking private landowners to report sightings of bobwhite quail on their land. Report northern bobwhite quail sightings at MyFWC.com/QuailSighting
The FWC also seeks reports of these species:
- 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=
SOMETHING BUGGING YOUR TREES? - CHECK OUT THE FOREST AND TREE HEALTH DIAGNOSTICS FORUM
Hosted by a group of forest and tree health specialists with Southeastern universities and agencies, we are here to help identify pests and diseases in your forest or your backyard, and to recommend a solution, if appropriate. Join the group and report your tree health issue!
Visit the new Forest Health Diagnostic forum on Facebook:
FOREST STEWARDSHIP VIDEOS - VIEW AND SHARE!
All the videos are on the Florida Forest Stewardship Program home page:
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?
UF/IFAS SCHOOL OF FOREST RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION EXTENSION PROGRAMS
FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES WEBINARS
For a calendar of upcoming webinars in a variety of land management topics see:
SOUTHERN REGION EXTENSION FORESTRY
See http://sref.info/ for the latest news, tools and offerings.
NEED A LOAN TO FUND CONSERVATION PROJECTS? CHECK OUT THE USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY'S GUARANTEED CONSERVATION LOAN PROGRAM
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) guarantees loans to promote conservation practices on farms and ranches that help protect natural resources. The goal of FSA’s Conservation Loan (CL) program is to provide access to credit for farmers who need and want to implement conservation measures on their land, but do not have the “up front” funds available to implement these practices. For more information see this Conservation Loan Program Fact Sheet. Also see this table summarizing FSA farm loan opportunities.
The Conservation Contract Program is a program for eligible landowners that protects important natural resources and other sensitive areas while providing a debt management tool. A conservation contract is available to people with Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct loans secured by real estate. These individuals may qualify for a reduction of their FSA indebtedness in exchange for a conservation contract with a term of 50, 30 or 10 years. The conservation contract is a voluntary legal agreement that restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on portions of the landowner’s property. Contracts may be established on marginal cropland and other environmentally sensitive lands for conservation, recreation and wildlife purposes. For more information see this Conservation Contract Program Fact Sheet.
The FSA provides several types of farm loans. For more information on these opportunities, see the Florida FSA Website or contact your local FSA office to speak with a local representative.
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