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

  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.

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  "FAMILY FORESTS" BOOK AVAILABLE AT THE UF/IFAS BOOKSTORE

  Get your copy of Family Forests – Portraits of Private Land Stewardship in Florida by Chris Demers, UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation. This full-color publication puts a face on private forest stewardship in our great state, and provides ample references and resources that can assist with land management efforts. 

  Now available at the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore online at:http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p-1433-family-forests.aspx

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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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  UF/IFAS SCHOOL OF FOREST RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION EXTENSION PROGRAMS

  See http://sfrc.ufl.edu/extension

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  FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES WEBINARS

  For a calendar of upcoming webinars in a variety of land management topics see:
  http://www.forestrywebinars.net/webinar-calendar/month#.T-zLkBhgZys.blogger

  SOUTHERN REGION EXTENSION FORESTRY

  See http://sref.info/ for the latest news, tools and offerings.

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  SUPPORT FLORIDA'S FOREST STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

  Your contribution will help support Forest Stewardship Program outreach events across Florida. More information

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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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• Upcoming Events and Webinars

  East Florida | West Florida | Webinars

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  East Florida Events

  EAST FLORIDA (Madison County, east and south)
  September 1-3	Florida Forestry Association Annual Meeting  Omni Amelia Island Resort, 39 Beach Lagoon Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. See link above for details and registration. Register early, risk free. The Association will provide full refunds on registrations cancelled on or before August 27 due to health or travel concerns related to COVID-19
  September 14-16	Trees of Florida 2020 Conference and Trade Show Rescheduled, details to be posted at link above
  September 26-27	Central Florida Sportsman’s Expo Tom Varn Park, 301 Darby Rd., Brooksville, FL 34601. FWC Landowner Assistance Program biologists will be exhibiting and available to answer landowners’ questions. $5 Entry Fee, children under 12 Free. See link for details.
  October 27-30	Aquatic Weed Control Short Course Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel, 11775 Heron Bay Boulevard, Coral Springs, FL 33076. Provided by UF/IFAS Extension. Join us for the largest and most inclusive training for Florida Pesticide Licensing and CEUs. Become a more qualified professional, engage with your industry, and network with your peers! The course is designed to benefit both new and experienced applicators alike. See link above for details and registration. For more information contact Dr. Lyn Gettys, 954-577-6331, lgettys@ufl.edu
  November 6	Florida Land Steward Tour at Property of Jake English, Pasco County, FL 9 am to 2 pm, property of Jake English near Land O Lakes, FL. Join us to learn about longleaf pine forest management, enhancing wildlife habitat, tree planting, Best Management Practices for protecting water quality and wildlife, Tree Farm certification, preparing for the next hurricane, and the challenges of land management in the wildland-urban interface. This is also a great opportunity to network with other landowners and meet the forestry and natural resource professionals that can assist you. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and post details here as available.

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  West Florida Events

  WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west)

  May 14 2021

  Florida Land Steward Tour at Jenkins Millview Trace, Escambia County, FL 8:30 am to 2:00 pm CT, Jenkins Millview Trace, Pensacola, FL. Mr. Robert Jenkins, owner and manager of Jenkins Millview Trace, is the 2020 Land Steward of the Year. We are moving this tour to next year due to the current COVID-19 health crisis. Join us in 2021 for this tour to learn about longleaf pine forest restoration and management, enhancing wildlife habitat, tree planting, and the challenges of land management in the wildland-urban interface. This is also a great opportunity to network with other landowners and meet the forestry and natural resource professionals that can assist you. $15 includes lunch and materials. Updated flier and registration page will be posted here.

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  Webinars

  On Demand through June 30	“Virtual” Wild Pig Conference  The National Wild Pig Task Force is hosting a "virtual" conference where pre-recorded video presentations and workshops are available for viewing. Please register at the link above and an access code will be sent to your email for entry to the video portal.
  June 29	Tall Timbers Webinar: Risk Management and Prescribed Fire 1-4 pm ET. Topics include liability and sources of insurance for landowners using prescribed fire, prescribed fire planning and risk management, and responding to an unanticipated event on your prescribed burn. Webinar limited to 100. Contact Matt Snider if you are interested in participating, msnider@talltimbers.org
  July 8	AgrAbility Webinar: Roots of the Soil: Land Succession Issues among African American Farm Families 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET.  To participate in this free webinar, register online at the link above by Monday, July 6. Instructions for accessing the session will be sent to registrants by Tuesday, July 7. Please pass on this invitation to others you believe may be interested. Contact AgrAbility at 800-825-4264 or email agrability@agrability.org if you have questions.
  July 27	Forestry & Natural Resource Webinar: Tree Identification Procedures  10:00 am ET. See link above for details and to join the webinar.
  July 29	Forestry & Natural Resource Webinar: New product for reducing southeast forest disturbance risk and recovery times 1:00 pm ET. See link above for details and to join the webinar.
  July 30	Forestry & Natural Resource Webinar: Moving Forward with Pine-Hardwood Mixed Stands  12:00 pm ET. See link above for details and to join the webinar.
  Forestry & Natural Resource Webinars Southern Fire Exchange Webinars