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

  ONGOING INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS

  
  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. This service may be suspended due to current health crisis. 

  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 call (850) 926-6534

  Tall Timbers Research Station is 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. Also see their web page for more details: Private Lands Prescribed Fire Project - Tall Timbers

  Alachua Conservation Trust has a prescribed fire specialist available to assist private landowners with burn planning, include that associated with NRCS contacts, 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, 904-838-8591. Barry is also the Coordinator for the North Florida Prescribed Burn Association.

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  UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FIRE UNIVERSITY PODCAST

  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/

  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   

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  EDUCATIONAL AND PLANNING SERVICES TO WOMEN LANDOWNERS
  

  Land and Ladies is the first forestry consulting business to focus on women landowners in the Southeast. Based in Georgia, and In partnership with Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources/UGA, Georgia Forestry Commission, and others, the company offers opportunities for women to be engaged directly in the management of their land. Check out their website for details and upcoming classes: https://www.landandladies.com/

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  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. 

   

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   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.

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  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/

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  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

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  FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE HOSTING SIMPLE SMOKE SCREENING TOOL ONLINE

  An user friendly smoke plotting tool is now available on the Florida Forest's Fire Tools and Downloads webpage. 

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  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? 

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  REPORT 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=

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  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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  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

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  East Florida Events

  EAST FLORIDA (Madison County, east and south)
  January 18	UF/IFAS Tri-County Crop Update 9:00 am to 3:00 pm ET, Suwannee River Fairgrounds, Fanning Springs, FL 32693. This is an opportunity for crop producers to hear updates and new research from UF/IFAS experts in various agriculture fields. Topics include pesticide use and safety, peanuts, corn, ag tech, economics, water, and extension services in 2022.  See link above for details and registration.
  January 25-26, 2022	Wildlife and Invasive Species Education (WISE) 2022 Begins at 8:00 am ET, West Central Florida Agricultural Education Center (Sumter Fairgrounds), 7620 SR 471, Bushnell, FL 33513. Provided by UF/IFAS Extension and many partners. Don't miss this informative program on both native and invasive species. Attendees can earn 2 FDACS CEUs per day in Private Applicator – Ag, Natural Areas Weed Management, Limited Wildlife Trapper. See link above for details and to register.
  January 26	USDA NRCS Florida State Technical Committee Meeting - Hybrid Live and Virtual Formats 10 am – 12 pm ET, USDA NRCS State Office, 4500 NW 27th Ave, Bldg. A, Gainesville, FL 32606. We will be providing an opportunity for up to 20 people to attend the meeting in-person at the Florida State Office and we will continue to provide an option for people to join remotely. Please respond to nina.bhattacharyya@usda.gov if you are interested in attending the meeting in-person and she will notify those who make the request if they are able to attend. The WebEx meeting link to join meeting remotely is: https://ociocts-usda.webex.com/meet/FLNRCSPartnerships
  January 29	Sarasota County FIRE FEST 10:00 am to 2 pm ET,  rain or shine, Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice, FL. FIRE FEST provides a first-hand look at how prescribed burns protect our communities and property from wildfires, as well as maintain Florida’s natural ecosystems for present and future generations. A part of Prescribed Fire Awareness Week, this is a fun opportunity for the whole family to learn how fire is used carefully and effectively on our natural lands, right here in Sarasota County For more information call (941) 861-5000. Information will be posted at https://www.carltonreserve.org/fire-fest/
  February 1	Beginning Bee Keeper Workshop, Hardee County 9:00 am to 2:00 pm ET, UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County office located at 507 Civic Center Drive, Wauchula FL 33813. Provided by UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County. Join us to learn essential information to starting your own backyard apiary. Topics will include bee biology, state regulations, live bee demonstrations and personal protective equipment use, among other topics. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. $15.00 per person fee. Details and pre-registration at link above or call UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County at (863) 773-2164.

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  West Florida Events

  WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west)
  February 9	Northwest Florida Beef Cattle Conference and Trade Show UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Office Auditorium, 2741 Penn Avenue, Marianna, Florida. Registration and the Trade Show open at 7:30 AM central time, the program starts at 8:15 AM, and concludes with a grilled steak lunch. This sponsored educational event is provided at no cost to cattle ranchers, but pre-registration is requested to reduce registration time at the event and to aid in meal preparation. See link above for details and registration.

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  Webinars / Online Training / Events in other States

  January 18 -February 15	2022 Forestry Tax Webinars A regional initiative of the Woodland Stewards Extension Program, this webinar series will help private forest landowners understand timber tax rules, how timber expenses should be reported, and how we are taxed. Knowing timber tax rules will help you keep your records in line and save money. These webinars will take place January 18, 25, and February 1, 8, and 15, 2022. Learn more and sign up to receive reminders about these webinars: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ForestryTaxWebinars
  February 1	Conservation Webinar:  Research and Innovation in Organic AgTech 1:00 pm ET. Learn about innovative technologies that can be used in organic production systems. This webinar will explore new and developing technologies that can be used in organic systems to improve efficiency, yields, and conservation of natural resources. See link above for details and registration.
  February 8	2022 Texas Timber Tax Virtual Workshop 8:30 am to 3:00 pm Central Time. This workshop will provide basic information about timber taxation and the latest changes to tax laws and rules for 2021 tax return preparations. Topics will focus on federal timber income tax issues for private forest owners with a refresher on local timberland property tax incentives specific to TX. See link above to register.
  On-Demand Webinars
  On Demand	Florida Land Steward Webinar: Gopher Tortoise Recipient Sites - Conservation and Financial Benefits Provided by the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Join us to learn more about opportunities to generate additional revenue from your land while benefiting a threatened, keystone species. Private landowners’ contributions are essential to the conservation of this important ecosystem engineer and applying for a recipient site permit has never been easier. Recorded November 18, 2021. See link above to view.
  On Demand	Florida Land Steward Webinar: Forest Certification Provided by the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program. Learn about forest certification: what it is, how it came to be, and the major certification programs operating in the U.S. The second half of the webinar takes a more detailed look at the American Tree Farm System and a landowner's journey to certification and involvement in the Florida Tree Farm Program. If you are new to owning and managing forest land this is an important and informative presentation. Recorded September 16, 2021. See link above to view.
  On Demand	Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinar: Recovering from the Storm Provided by the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program with support from Florida Forest Service, Farm Credit Associations of Florida, and other partners. We discuss key assistance contacts and strategies to minimize losses within a week and a month after a hurricane. See link above to view.
  On-Demand	Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinar (recording): Prepare for the Storm  Provided by the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program with support from National Wildlife Federation, Florida Forest Service, Farm Credit Associations of Florida, and other partners. Hurricane season is upon us. Recorded June 3, 2021. Take some important precautions to prepare your property for the next storm that could impact your area. See link above to view.
  On-Demand	Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinar (recording): Building a Resilient Operation  Provided by the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program with support from National Wildlife Federation, Florida Forest Service, Farm Credit Associations of Florida and other partners. Recorded on April 15, 2021. We discuss a range of considerations and systems that landowners can put in place to increase their resilience to hurricanes. See link above to view.
  Florida Land Steward Webinar Registrations, Recordings, Links, and Materials here  Forestry & Natural Resource Webinars Southern Fire Exchange Webinars