Florida Land Steward Update, September 29, 2023

PARTICIPATE IN THE LONGLEAF PINE RESTORATION SURVEY

The Forest Landowners Association is conducting a survey of private landowners in the Southeast to gain insights into the complexities and challenges of longleaf pine restoration on private lands and identify potential opportunities to mitigate these challenges.

This survey is for anyone who owns or manages forestland in the historic longleaf range. Even if you do not currently have longleaf pine on your property, they are also gathering data through this survey about why landowners may choose not to manage for longleaf. Participate by October 1.  Access the Longleaf Pine Restoration survey here.

PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OF HURRICANE IDALIA IMPACTS ON TIMBER

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has released their preliminary damage assessment of timber following Hurricane Idalia. The preliminary assessment estimated that Hurricane Idalia damaged 289,096 acres of timber at a value of $64,751,255. More information is available at the FDACS Announcement of Hurricane Idalia Timber Damage here.

HURRICANE IDALIA EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: USDA NRCS ENCOURAGES LANDOWNERS TO APPLY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM

Apply by November 17, 2023

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can provide assistance, through Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) conservation practices, to help agricultural landowners and producers address disaster related resource concerns on their land.  EQIP can repair and prevent soil erosion, as well as address water quality issues or other resource concerns resulting from high rainfall events and flooding. See details about Hurricane Idalia emergency EQIP here.

Other USDA Disaster Assistance Programs
USDA offers a variety of programs to help farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, communities, and businesses that have been hard hit by natural disaster events. The Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program are authorized to assist landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore damaged farmland or forests.  Visit farmers.gov for all USDA disaster recovery programs.

FEMA has a website dedicated to Hurricane Idalia recovery assistance. See the FEMA Hurricane Idalia page here.

More storms are brewing. Keep an eye on the tropics at the NOAA Hurricane Center.

SIGN-UP OPEN FOR USDA NRCS CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

Apply by November 17

Got conservation efforts underway? Get paid for it! Through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that enhances existing efforts while improving their operations. Contract payments are made to (1) maintain the existing level of conservation, based on the land uses included in the contract and an NRCS assessment of existing stewardship at the time of enrollment; and (2) implement additional conservation activities.  See link above for additional information or contact your local USDA NRCS office.

TALL TIMBERS PROVIDING FUNDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LANDOWNERS IN ST. MARKS AND AUCILLA RIVER BASINS

Apply by November 4 in Georgia and November 17 in Florida

Landowners within the basins of the St. Marks and Aucilla Rivers, including portions of Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla, Madison and Taylor counties in Florida, and Brooks, Thomas and Grady counties in Georgia, can apply for funding and technical assistance for prescribed fire implementation, longleaf pine tree establishment, timber stand improvements, invasive plant treatment and wildlife habitat improvement. More details about Tall Timbers assistance here.

NORTH FLORIDA PRESCRIBED BURN ASSOCIATION 2023/2024 SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

Apply by November 30

The North Florida Prescribed Burn Association (NFPBA) promotes landowner cooperative use of prescribed fire in 17 counties in North Florida. NFPBA is seeking applicants for scholarships in the amount of $500 to attend the Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Training Course (in-person class). This course is offered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) from December 2023 – February 2024.  See the FDACS Burn Manager course schedule here

Go to the Scholarship page on the NFPBA website for more details and to download the application. Applications must be submitted by November 30, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact NFPBA Board Member, Bob Jenkins at bccjenkins@bellsouth.net or (904) 237-6330.

STEPHEN AND DANNA MATHENY, 2023 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD LANDOWNER OF THE YEAR TOUR RESCHEDULED TO DECEMBER 8, 2023

Stephen and Danna Matheny’s Madison County property has been in their family for generations. Their land remains one of the last areas of intact groundcover and adult longleaf pines actively maintained with fire in the area, and they are working to keep it that way for many years to come. They are unfortunately dealing with significant impacts from Hurricane Idalia so the original October date needed to be moved back.  Join us for a tour of the property on December 8, 2023. Tour details and registration here. Please register by December 1.

Learn more about the 2023 Florida Land Steward Landowner of the Year. See the FWC’s press release from the Matheny’s recognition at the Feb 21 Commissioner’s meeting in Jacksonville, FL.

FWC ISSUES NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER OUTLINING NEW HUNTING REGULATIONS FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE MANAGEMENT ZONE

Following confirmation of a positive test sample for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Holmes County in June 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) have implemented management actions to protect against the possible spread of CWD. On Sept. 8, the FWC issued a new executive order outlining regulations designed to increase sampling and slow the spread of CWD in Florida deer. Existing regulations pertaining to the establishment of the zone, baiting and feeding restrictions, prohibition of rehabilitating or releasing injured or orphaned deer and export of high-risk parts remain in effect. See the new FWC regulations here.

The next public meeting on this will be held Tuesday, October 10, 2023; 6 pm to 8 pm CDT, at Rivertown Community Church Auditorium, 4535 Lafayette Street, Marianna, FL 32446. Attend for information about chronic wasting disease, updates on the unified agency and partner response, new hunting regulations for the area, sampling and testing procedures, and an opportunity for area residents to ask questions about CWD and CWD management strategies.

Questions can be asked in advance by emailing CWD@MyFWC.com. A recording of the July 6, 2023 public meeting can be found at The Florida Channel.

CONGRATULATIONS TERRY AND HOWARD PUTNAL: 2023 FLORIDA JON GOULD OUTSTANDING TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR!

The Florida Tree Farm Program is proud to recognize Mr. Terry Putnal and, his father, Howard Putnal (in memoriam) as the 2023 Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. Watch the 2023 Florida Jon Gould Outstanding Tree Farmer video here.

ENROLL IN ONLINE FOREST LANDOWNER ACADEMY

Are you new to forestry and land management? Need a good primer on forest management concepts and next steps? Hard to fit travel for tours and workshops in your busy schedule? Need a course in a self-paced format that you can take on your own time?  This course is for you!  Forest landowners, and others in need of forest management information, are encouraged to enroll in this self-paced, online course to connect with forest management experts at the University of Florida and receive quality core educational content on forestry and multiple-use stewardship concepts.

The 7 course modules cover a variety of topics on understanding your forest resources, developing your management plan, timber management, marketing forest products, other forest enterprises such as pine straw and hunting leases, wildlife management, and planning for the future. Each module includes recorded video from the field or virtual classroom, links to references, and an assessment where you can apply what you’ve learned to your land or situation. The cost of the course is $150. Those completing the course will earn a University of Florida Certificate of Completion.

See and share course details in the Forest Landowner Academy blog post.

Direct link to enroll in the Forest Landowner Academy:
https://ifas-sfrc-for.catalog.instructure.com/courses/for-fla

Questions about the course can be directed to Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu, (352) 846-2375.

GET FLORIDA LAND STEWARD EMAIL UPDATES

Don’t miss out on news and events! Sign up for the regular email updates! Send an email to Chris at cdemers@ufl.edu to be added to the email listserv. Florida Land Steward email updates are sent once a week or every other week and include the latest calendar of workshops, tours and other events; a link to the current issue of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter; updates on cost-share and other assistance programs, opportunities, and resources; and other stewardship related news and information.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

See our Events Calendar and News page for upcoming events and ongoing programs, initiatives, and opportunities.

ACCESS THE QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER ONLINE

Access the current and back issues of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter here.

HAVE AN EVENT OR RELATED NEWS TO SHARE?

Drop a line with the details and link(s) to Chris at cdemers@ufl.edu.

CONSIDER A GIFT IN SUPPORT OF THE UF/IFAS FLORIDA LAND STEWARD PROGRAM

The mission of the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program is to help and encourage private landowners to actively manage their land resources for long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits. This program is largely supported by partners and donors. If this program has made a difference in your land stewardship efforts, please consider a gift.  Support the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program here. Thanks!