Florida Land Steward Calendar and News
To sign up for weekly email updates, which include the latest calendar of events, news and a link to the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter, send an email to cdemers@ufl.edu.
If you know of an event or news brief that should be included on this page or the news blog please send an email with the news information or event name, date, location, and contact information to cdemers@ufl.edu.
-
Ongoing Initiatives and Programs
ENROLL IN THE 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 and begin or continue planning and making contacts. The cost of the course is $150. Those completing the course will earn a University of Florida Certificate of Completion.
Enroll in the Forest Landowner Academy today:
https://ifas-sfrc-for.catalog.instructure.com/courses/for-flaQuestions about the course can be directed to Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu, (352) 846-2375.
CHECK OUT THE NEW PROFOREST “PODFOREST” PODCAST
Immerse yourself in the world of forestry through extension as ProForest coordinator Dr. Tyler Carney hosts guests to talk about all things forestry. Listeners can join each episode to listen to a new guest and learn about different forestry topics. Curated for private forest landowners but interesting to all, this podcast was created as an Extension product of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Learn more about the PodForest podcast and listen to available episodes..
FLORIDA WOMEN LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION (FWLA)
Our goal is to provide opportunities for collaboration and education for all generations of women landowners in Florida. We share land stewardship resources through in-person events and virtual networking related to land ownership including farms, ranches, forests, recreation, and wildlife. Whether you have 1 acre or 1,000 – we are here for you. Keep posted on FWLA news and activities on their Facebook page!
LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FROM QUAIL FOREVER BIOLOGISTS
Quail Forever is a non-profit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy. We are excited to have Farm Bill Biologists in Florida providing technical assistance to landowners interested in improving the health of their land for wildlife, clean water, and other important natural resources. Biologists are available to assist landowners through the application process for USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Farm Bill programs.
Florida Quail Forever Biologist positions are supported through partnership with USDA NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife Framework and in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Our focus is Northern Bobwhite quail and upland habitats. Technical assistance to private landowners includes answering wildlife management questions, working with landowners to identify habitat objectives and develop wildlife habitat management plans, and connecting them to resources and applicable programs.
Those interested in assistance can reach out to either of our Florida Quail Forever Biologists: Nicole Itzkowitz, nitzkowitz@quailforever.org based in Kissimmee (Central Florida including Lake, Sumter, Seminole, Orange, Brevard and Osceola counties) or Katie Maddox, kmaddox@quailforever.org based in Quincy (Gadsden, Leon, Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton counties). If you do not see your county listed, please contact the biologist closest to you.
PRESCRIBED BURN ASSOCIATIONS AND PRESCRIBED BURN ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FROM TALL TIMBERS RESEARCH STATION, ALACHUA CONSERVATION TRUST, AND ATTACK-ONE FIRE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
These organizations are available to meet onsite with landowners to discuss their goals and assist with prescribed burn prescription and implementation.
Tall Timbers Research Station is funded by a Longleaf Legacy Landscape project to provide fire consultation and assistance with 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). For more information contact Jeremy Martin at (850) 333-4776, or JMartin@talltimbers.org. Jeremy is also the coordinator for the Northwest Florida Prescribed Burn Association: Private Lands Prescribed Fire Project - Tall Timbers
Alachua Conservation Trust has a prescribed fire specialist available to assist private landowners with burn planning in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Levy, Marion, Putnam, St. John’s, Suwannee, Union, and portions of Citrus, Lake, Sumter, and Volusia Counties. Contact Barry Coulliette at barry@alachuaconservationtrust.org, 904-838-8591. Barry is also the Coordinator for the North Florida Prescribed Burn Association.
Attack-One Fire Management Services, Inc. is grant-funded to assist private landowners who have current or previous NRCS contracts with prescribed fire consultation, planning and implementation throughout North Florida, Georgia and Alabama. For private landowners with previous NRCS contracts to qualify, the property must include Longleaf Pine and / or have active Gopher Tortoise habitat present. For more information contact: Kevin Carter (850) 926-6534, kevin@attack-one.com For additional information see http://www.attack-one.com
ONLINE PRESCRIBED FIRE TRAINING COURSE AVAILABLE ON UF/IFAS EXTENSION CANVAS CATALOG
This course is designed to provide individuals with knowledge and resources to better accomplish their land management goals and to cultivate fire-educated communities. Topics include: Basic Fire Knowledge, How to Implement Prescribed Fire, Air Quality & Smoke, Fire Liability & Risk Reduction, Wildlife Management, Forest Management, and more. This course is free and for educational purposes only. It is not a professional certification course. See Prescribed Fire Training | CESRxFire for more details and to enroll.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FIRE UNIVERSITY PODCASTS
The UF Disturbance Ecology and Ecological Restoration (DEER) Lab has launched a podcast named Fire University in a podcast network called Natural Resources University. The network features four science-based podcasts with leading scientists in each topic area. Topics include Deer University focused on white-tailed deer biology and management, Habitat University focused on the science of wildlife habitat management, Pond University focused on delivering the latest science about managing fishing ponds and aquatic ecosystems, and Fire University which delivers the latest research and science on fire ecology and related wildlife and forest management.
The Natural Resources University (NRU) podcasts are available at: https://naturalresourcesuniversity.libsyn.com/
The Fire University Podcasts are available at: https://fireuniversity.libsyn.com/
WILD TURKEY SCIENCE PODCAST
Wild Turkey Science is a podcast hosted by Dr. Marcus Lashley at the University of Florida and Dr. Will Gulsby at Auburn University. The podcast is science-based and features in-depth discussion about wild turkey research and how it relates to managing your wild turkey population. Check out the Wild Turkey Science podcast here.These podcasts are all available on all the major podcast platforms and people can follow them @UFDEERLab and @NRUniversity where additional content related to natural resource management is posted. For more information contact Dr. Marcus Lashley, (352) 846-0870, marcus.lashley@ufl.edu
HURRICANE PREPARATION AND RECOVERY GUIDES FOR FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS AND LANDOWNERS
The USDA Southeast Climate Hub with other USDA agencies and university Extension experts, have developed a set of guides for Florida agricultural producers. The guides are each tailored to a specific agricultural commodity and designed to help produces prepare for and recover from hurricane events.
The guides are available on the USDA Southeast Climate Hub Website. Of interest to forest landowners is the Pine Forest Landowners Guide.
SOMETHING BUGGING YOUR TREES? - CHECK OUT THE FOREST 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: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SouthernTreeHealthDiagnostics/
GOT AN INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEM?
Go to floridainvasives.org for information, assistance and partnership opportunities. Get information on all invasive taxa at UF/IFAS Invasive Species Programs
FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE HOSTING SIMPLE SMOKE SCREENING TOOL ONLINE
A user-friendly smoke plotting tool is now available on the Florida Forest's Fire Tools and Downloads webpage.
HELP WITH EASTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE STATUS ASSESSMENT
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has been petitioned to list the eastern diamondback rattlesnake as a threatened or endangered species. They are now working on a Species Status Assessment (SSA), which they plan to have a draft of in the fall of 2023. This Assessment will be used for all decisions associated with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), including whether a species should be listed as endangered/threatened or not. The assessment allows for State and partner engagement in the science used to base ESA decisions. This is an opportunity to let USFWS know how many eastern diamondback rattlesnakes we are seeing in Florida.The National Council on Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) has an online survey where you can submit observations of eastern diamondbacks. Please be sure to observe snakes from a safe distance and don’t attempt to kill them.
LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC? AskIFAS!
Check the vast array of extension publications available through UF/IFAS on the AskIFAS publication site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Wow, there’s a publication about that?
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.
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 Florida Landscape Web Map Tool and how to use it.
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!
-
Upcoming Events and Webinars
East Florida | West Florida | Webinars
East Florida Events
EAST FLORIDA (Madison County and all counties east and south) January 9 Private Landowner Workshop, DeSoto County
9:00 am to 2:30 pm ET, 8134 SE Hall Rd., Arcadia, FL 34266. Provided by FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Join us to learn about land management programs and the benefits of enhancing and protecting wildlife habitat. The agenda covers an overview of various land management assistance programs, including USDA Farm Bill programs. Lunch provided by Hall’s Tiger Bay Ranch. RSVP to Peter Diamond – FWC Landowner Assistance Program, peter.diamond@myfwc.com or (941) 661-3619.January 17 Suwannee County Arbor Day Event
10:00 am ET at Heritage Park and Gardens, 1004 Helvenston St SE, Live Oak, FL 32064. Join us for a tree planting and tree give-away until 12:00 pm. The UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee County Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be on location to share pamphlets and other information. Any questions should be sent to Jacob.Earnest@FDACS.gov or to raymondbalaguerb@ufl.edu.February 1 2025 Flatwoods Fire & Nature Festival
10:00 am to 5:00 pm ET at UF Austin Cary Forest Campus. Join us for live prescribed burn demonstrations, forest tours, food, exhibits, live animals, live music, and more. This event is fun and educational for whole family. See Facebook link above for details and to indicate interest.February 4-6 Prescribed Fire for Wildlife
Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33844. Provided by the Florida Chapter of the Wildlife Society in partnership with Seminole Tribe of Florida, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Park Service, Trinity College, Tall Timbers Research Station, Alachua Conservation Trust, and many others. Land managers and wildlife stewards are invited to attend for hands-on information on wildlife habitat management practices associated with prescribed fires in Florida. The program includes sections addressing how ignition plans can be developed and implemented to meet specific wildlife objectives while minimizing risk. This training combines classroom lectures, panel discussions, and field exercises covering a variety of wildlife and habitats. See link above for details and registration. Register by January 20, 2025. For more information contact Jim Schortemeyer at (239) 455-5847 or Schortfire@aol.com.February 8 Florida Women Landowners Association (FWLA) First Annual Business Meeting
10:00 am to 3:00 pm ET, UF Stern Learning Center at Austin Cary Forest Campus, Gainesville, FL. Join us to connect with women landowners and to learn more about how you can enjoy your property, fauna, and flora by being a land steward. This Annual Meeting will feature presentations by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, UF/IFAS Extension, and the Florida Tree Farm Program. We will also plan our year ahead and want your input on future activities. Registration link ($25, including lunch) will be posted soon. For more information about the FWLA, please email FWLA.contact@gmail.com.February 13 Soil Health & Cover Crop Field Day
9:00 am to 3:00 pm ET, UF/IFAS NFREC-Suwannee Valley Farm, 8202 County Road 417, Live Oak, FL 32060. This in-person field day event will feature a farm trolley tour, informative sessions, and hands-on soil health demonstrations. Connect with UF/IFAS extension agents and specialists, share knowledge, and gain valuable insights to support sustainable and productive farming. See link above for details and registration.February 22 North Florida Outdoor Expo
10:00 am to 3:00 pm ET at Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center, 210 SE 134 Ave, Micanopy, FL 32667. Provided by UF/IFAS Extension North Florida Livestock Agents Group. Join us for all-day activities and education, interact with outdoor vendors and specialists, and take guided interactive nature tours. See link above for details and registration.
West Florida Events
WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west) January 31, 2025 Integrated Crop & Livestock Systems (ICLS) Symposium, Jackson County
UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Office, Marianna, FL. Integrated systems have great potential, but how do we make it work? Join us to discuss and network about the implementation of ICLS in the Southeast! Learn about strategies and opportunities to improve productivity and profitability in your farm. Registration opening soon at link above. Mark your calendar.
Webinars / Online Training / Virtual Events
January 22 What’s sprawl got to do with it?
12:00 to 2:00 pm ET. Good urban policy is essential for good rural policy. If Florida’s urban footprint is more compact, more land is left for nature and agriculture. What planning strategies can assist with limiting sprawl? Jay Exum, Exum Associates will discuss how sprawl and fragmentation threaten Florida’s lands and waters. Mari K. Daniels, AICP, Assistant County Manager, Public Works & Growth Management will cover Alachua County’s Urban Cluster designation in its Future Land Use Map. Commissioner Sean Parks will address efforts in Lake County to integrate land conservation into community planning efforts. See link above for details, registration, and available continuing education credit.
January 22, 29, February 5, 12, and 19 Who Will Fill my Shoes 2025: Succession Planning for Landowners, Farmers, and Family Businesses
Each session begins at 2:00 pm ET. Provided by the Southern Rural Development Center in partnership with Mississippi State, North Carolina State, and Purdue Universities. Succession planning encompasses many emotional and financial aspects of a family and a business, making decisions and moving forward more difficult. This research-based curriculum with comprehensive handouts integrated will give participants the confidence they need to learn strategies for moving succession forward with their property or business. Both soft and hard skills are covered in the materials and will empower owners to develop and implement their succession plan. See link above for registration.February 12 12:00 – 2:00 pm ET. Approximately 80% of the currently unprotected 8 million acres in the Florida Wildlife Corridor are in agriculture. These lands are essential to the Corridor and provide vital ecosystem services that benefit all Floridians. Agricultural and conservation leaders will share their perspectives on the challenges facing the agricultural industry, steps to move forward, and strategies to maintain both agricultural and conservation values on these working lands. Presenters include Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association President Mike Joyner, Florida Climate Smart Agriculture Work Group Co-Chairs Jim Strickland and Lynetta Griner (also representing ranching and silviculture), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Luis Gonzalez, and UF Center for Landscape Conservation Planning Director Tom Hoctor. See link above for details, registration, and available continuing education credit.
February 12 Forestry and Natural Resources Webinar: Prescribed Fire Effects on Southern Pine Tree Growth and Forest Structure
1:00 pm ET. Dr. Doug Aubrey, Associate Professor, University of Georgia, will discuss prescribed fire - its benefits, impacts on forest health, and the effects of excluding fire from southeastern forests. See link above for details and to join.March 5 12:00 to 2:00 pm ET. Special planning challenges arise in areas where human development meets up with undeveloped wildland. Building on the 2024 white paper, The Economics of Development in Florida, Urban3’s Joe Minicozzi will focus on The Economics of Rural Land Use in Florida. Neil Fleckenstein, AICP, Tall Timbers Planning and Advocacy Coordinator will discuss human/wildland interface planning and land conservation strategies to protect working rural lands managed with frequent prescribed fire. Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Greenways and Trails Chief Sam Browne and Florida Trail Gateway Communities Coordinator Austin Burton will discuss using trail systems to link urban and rural areas. See link above for details, registration, and available continuing education credit.
-Featured On Demand Prerecorded Webinars-
Florida Land Steward Webinar: Is it Time to Thin Your Timber Stand?
Provided by UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Land Steward Program. Thinning your timber stand removes unhealthy and low-quality trees and focuses the site resources on the best trees. This treatment also brings other benefits like aesthetics, enhanced wildlife habitat, and improved access for management and recreational activities. Recorded August 22, 2024.Florida Land Steward Webinar: Forest Certification and the Florida Tree Farm Program
A cooperative effort by the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward and Florida Tree Farm Programs, this presentation provides an introduction to forest certification programs, with a deep dive into Florida's Tree Farm Program with a discussion led by John Nash, a Florida Tree Farmer and current President of the Florida Tree Farm Program. Recorded June 27, 2024.Recordings, links, and materials for all Florida Land Steward Program
Events and Webinars here
Additional Updates, Information, and Networks
- Timber Price Update, 3rd Quarter 2024
- Online Forest Landowner Academy NEW
- Florida Land Steward Event and Webinar Materials
- Florida Land Steward Newsletter
- Florida Land Steward on Facebook
- Florida Tree Farm Program
- North Florida Prescribed Burn Association
- Northwest Florida Prescribed Burn Association
- Florida Women Landowners Association (Facebook link)
Other Events and News
- UF/IFAS Panhandle Ag Events and News - UF/IFAS Extension
- Florida Master Naturalist Program - UF/IFAS Extension
- Florida Forest Service - Education Calendar
- Headlines, Workshops & Events - FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Florida
- Florida Forestry Association
- Regional Events, News, Links and Videos - Southern Region Extension Forestry
Florida Land Steward News Updates
Florida Land Steward Update, December 18, 2024
SEASON’S GREETINGS!
On behalf of all the Florida Land Steward partners we wish you and yours a very festive, peaceful, and safe Holiday season. A huge THANKS to all the partners and landowners who participated...
READ MORE | RELATED INFORMATION
Florida Land Steward Update, December 6, 2024
2024 ANNUAL SAND PINE CHRISTMAS TREE SALE AT LAKE WALES RIDGE STATE FOREST
Cut your own Florida native sand pine Christmas...
READ MORE | RELATED INFORMATION
Florida Land Steward Update, November 22, 2024
2025 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD WALL CALENDARS ARE HERE!
An annual Holiday tradition, the Florida Land Steward calendar features...
READ MORE | RELATED INFORMATION