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)
  October 7	Land & Ladies The Woman Landowner Workshops: Reforestation Techniques 8:30 am to 4:00 pm ET, Valdosta, GA. This is part of a workshop series covering all aspects of forest management. Land & Ladies workshops are unique where women attendees are taught by women professionals. See link above for details and registration. For details contact landandladies@gmail.com
  October 12-13	2021 Florida SAF / SFFGS Fall Symposium: Southern Pine Update UF Stern Learning Center, Austin Cary Forest near Gainesville, FL. Provided by the Florida Division Society of American Foresters and the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. Registration is now open! Join us for a broad array of topics related to Southern pines. We'll dive into the latest on genetics, forest health, management, and markets. 10.0 Category 1 SAF Continuing Forestry Education Credits are approved! Registration is now open!  See link above to register. Get the full event flyer with agenda, location, and hotel information here.
  October 20	North Central Florida Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Annual Meeting 10:00 am to 12:00 pm ET. Alligator Lake Park, 420 SE Alligator Glen, Lake City, FL 32025. Join the North Central Florida CISMA for the annual meeting and learn about invasive plants and how you can help with controlling them. People are welcome to bring a lunch and stay after for a hike to identify invasive plants. See link above for details and registration.
  October 21	Environmental Lands Management Seminar and Tour 9:00 am to 4:00 pm ET. Cross Bar Ranch Visitor Center, 20031 Locket Avenue, Spring Hill, FL 34610. Provided by UF/IFAS South Florida Beef Forage Program, this program is designed for managers of properties who currently have grazing leases or would like to learn more about the benefits. $50 fee, lunch and materials included. See link above for more details and to register.
  October 28	Florida Land Steward Tour at Blackbeard’s Ranch, Manatee County, FL 9:00 am to 2:00 pm ET, Blackbeard’s Ranch near Myakka City, FL.  Mr. Jim Strickland, managing partner of Blackbeard’s Ranch, is the 2021 Florida Land Steward of the Year. Blackbeard’s Ranch relies on agricultural production and is committed to long term sustainability in ranch operations, and good stewardship of the natural resources on the property. Join us for a tour. See link above for details and registration.

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  West Florida Events

  WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west)
  September 23	Walton County Fall Cattle Seminar Begins 5:00 PM CT. UF/IFAS Walton County Fairgrounds, 790 N 9th St (Hwy 83), DeFuniak Springs, FL . $10 fee includes dinner and presentations. Please RSVP with the Walton County Extension office at (850) 892-8172 by September 21st. See link above for details.
  September 30	UF/IFAS NFREC Beef & Forage Field Day 8:00 am to 2:00 pm CT. UF/IFAS North FL Research and Education Center at Marianna, 4932 Hwy 162, Marianna, FL 32446.  See link above for details.
  October 1	UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center 100th Anniversary Celebration 9:00 am ET to mid-afternoon. UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL 32351. Join us to learn about the history of NFREC research and extension activities, impacts, what is happening today and in the future. Lunch and tours will follow morning presentations. See link above for details and registration.
  October 9-10	14th Annual Millstone Institute for Preservation Farm Tour All weekend at participating farms in the Tallahassee and Florida Panhandle. Over 40 farms participating this year. Wander local farms, ranches, orchards, and gardens; sample food, visit farm animals, go on a hayride, visit vendors, sample local wines, play games, and more. See link above to see the tour guide and plan your visits. Contact millstoneplantationtallahassee@gmail.com for more information.

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  Webinars / Online Training / Events in other States

  October 12	Forestry & Natural Resources Webinar: Manipulating Mesopredator Populations to Benefit Native Prey - Exploring Controversies and Potential Solutions 2:00 pm ET. This webinar will explore existing data to better understand this controversies around mesocarnivore population reduction as a tool for managing wild prey populations. Some useful criteria for predicting efficacy of predator reduction to increase prey populations will be discussed. See link above to join.
  October 26	Forestry & Natural Resources Webinar: Managing Bottomland Hardwoods 1:00 pm ET. Bottomland Hardwood forests are critically important to conserving ecosystem biodiversity in the Southeast. They provide nature-based solutions for maintaining water quality as well as buffering us from natural disasters that increasingly threaten local communities with inland flooding. Can we successfully consider active habitat restoration and conservation while balancing the economic equation that family forest owners, consulting foresters, and small timber markets require? See link above to register.
  November 18	Florida Land Steward Webinar: Gopher Tortoise Recipient Sites - Conservation and Financial Benefits 2:00 to 3:30 pm ET. Provided by the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Join us to learn 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. See link above for details and registration.
  On-Demand Webinars
  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 Forestry & Natural Resource Webinars Southern Fire Exchange Webinars