Florida Land Steward

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

ONLINE COURSES

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? 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-fla

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

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ONLINE WILD TURKEY MANAGER COURSE NOW AVAILABLE

The University of Florida Game Lab, along with many collaborators, have launched an online turkey management course titled Wild Turkey Manager: Advanced Habitat. Course modules include field management, forest management, grassland management, forest stand improvement, food plots, cost-share programs, population monitoring, population dynamics, disease management, predator management, and case studies of management success. Watch the Wild Turkey Manager online course trailer here. Enroll at https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManager.

For more information about this course, contact Dr. Marcus Lashley, marcus.lashley@ufl.edu; Dr. Carolina Baruzzi, carolina.baruzzi@ufl.edu; or Charlotte Nowak c.nowak@ufl.edu.

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.

PODCASTS

CHECK OUT THE 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..

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

ASSISTANCE, NETWORKS. LANDOWNER ASSOCIATIONS

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 up with FWLA news and activities on their web site.!

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

CONSERVATION FLORIDA PRIVATE LANDS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

Conservation Florida’s Private Lands Stewardship Program supports landowners in the use of prescribed fire, invasive species control, and promoting native species. The program offers long-term land management planning, landowner assistance program navigation, contractor matching, and competitive cost-share to offset land management expenses. This program is available for properties within the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape, covering Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, and Polk Counties. For more details and to apply for this assistance see the Private Lands Stewardship Program webpage.

AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION FIELDS & FORESTS PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE IN FLORIDA

The Fields & Forests program works with landowners in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to diversify the income from their land by planting loblolly pine trees on open fields. This low-maintenance opportunity provides landowners with guaranteed annual income, professional forestry support, full coverage of site preparation and planting costs, and the revenue from timber harvests. Payment contracts include a payment of $30 per acre per year and are 30 years duration. See the American Forest Foundation’s Fields & Forests Program web site for details. Questions about Fields & Forests can be directed to (229) 231-3818 or fieldsandforests@forestfoundation.org.

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

UF INVASIVE SPECIES SURVEY GROUP: USING CITIZEN SCIENCE TO HELP LAND MANAGEMENT

The UF Invasive Species Survey Group is an all-volunteer group trained to assist land managers by scouting for and mapping invasive plants on managed properties across north Florida and the panhandle. The goal of the initiative is to improve invasive species management at a regional level by assisting land managers who are actively managing or are interested in actively managing invasive plants on their properties. We are happy to work on both public and private lands in the project area. To learn more and request a free survey, visit our website at https://invasivespecies.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/invasive-species-survey-group/ or contact the program coordinator at ISCVolunteerCoordinator@ifas.ufl.edu.

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.

Upcoming Events and Webinars

East Florida | West Florida | Webinars

East Florida Events

EAST FLORIDA (Madison County and all counties east and south)

July 22	2025 Everglades Invasive Species Summit 8:30 am to 5:00 pm ET at Long Key Nature Center, 3501 SW 130th Ave Davie, FL 33330. Join the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ECISMA) for the 2025 Everglades Invasive Species Summit to learn how to protect our ecosystem from harmful species. See link above for details and registration.
July 31-August 1	Urban Forestry Summit Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville, FL. Join Us for the Florida Urban Forestry Council’s Inaugural Urban Forestry Summit! The dynamic event bring will bring together professionals, advocates, and enthusiasts dedicated to the health and sustainability of Florida’s urban forests. Earn continuing education credits, get industry insights, and connect and engage with colleagues. See link above for details and registration.
August 9	From Soil to Saw: Empowering Women on the Land 10:00 am to 3:00 pm ET at North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley. 8202 County Road 417, Live Oak, FL 32060. You work your land and want to learn to do more. The right tools and techniques make it a breeze. Come learn hands-on land management skills using small hand tools, homestead planning, soil typing, and an introduction to chainsaws and small tractors. Registration at link above ($25, includes lunch). For more information contact the Florida Women Landowners Association at info@fwla.net.
August 22-23	Summer 2025 UF/IFAS Bee College Seminole Campus, 9200 113th Street, Seminole, FL 33772. Join the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory at the 2025 University of Florida Bee College in Seminole, Florida, for one or two days of all things honey bees. Those new to beekeeping can follow the beginner track, while more experienced beekeepers can participate in hands-on training in the apiary, classes on honey bee research, and other advanced topics in beekeeping. See link above for details and registration.

West Florida Events

WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west)

August 15	Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Annual Meeting 9:00 am to 3:30 pm CT at Camp Longleaf, 4640 State Highway 20 E, Freeport, FL 32439. Join us for discussions on a private lands cache of management tools, species migration and tropicals moving north, GIS resources and tools, invasive tree pests to watch for, and the applied citizen science program. Contact Kristal Cobb Walsh for more information and to RSVP, (850) 851-8065, Kristal.Walsh@MyFWC.com.
August 23	Florida Panhandle Landowner Assistance Expo 9:00 am to 4:00 pm CT at the Walton County Fairgrounds, 790 N. 9^th Street, DeFuniak Springs. Forest landowners and agricultural producers are invited to learn about available programs and partnerships to assist with managing their lands for wildlife, timber, row crops, and cattle. See the link above for details and free registration. Contact Ed O'Daniels for more information at (850) 819-9538, edward.odaniels@myfwc.com.
August 26-28	Florida Forestry Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy W, Miramar Beach, FL 32550. Plan to join us at Sandestin us for this annual continuing education and networking event to get the latest industry updates and catch up with forestry friends and colleagues. See link above for details and registration.

Webinars / Online Training / Virtual Events

July 9	Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism Webinar: Fish Morphology and Ecology 7:00 to 8:00 pm ET. You can learn a lot by looking at a fish! Join Mike Sipos, UF/IFAS Extension Collier County, to learn more about using cues from millions of years of evolution to make you a better fish enthusiast. Topics will include fish diversity, identification tips, tools to make you a better angler, and some best practices to help sustain Florida’s fisheries. See link above for details and registration.
July 17	Florida Land Steward Webinar: The Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Program 2:00 pm ET. Provided by the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) with Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Biologist, Mac Barrett presenting. Want to help conserve the gopher tortoise and financially benefit from your efforts? 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. Foresters, this webinar is approved for 1.0 SAF Cat. 1 CFE. This will be a TEAMS webinar. See link above to register.
July 17	Florida Women Landowners Association Webinar: Homesteading Preview 7:00 to 8:30 pm ET. Do you dream about living off your land, being able to manage your land so that you produce everything you might need? Join the Florida Women Landowners Association to learn where to begin. See link above for details and registration.
July 24	Florida Land Steward Webinar: Pine Bark Beetle Response to Hurricane Damage in Florida 2:00 pm ET. Provided by the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program and Florida Forest Service with State Forest Entomologist, Jeff Eickwort presenting. Private landowners and the general public are invited to learn about potential impacts from pine bark beetles after a hurricane. Foresters, this webinar is approved for 1 SAF Cat. 1 CFE. This will be a TEAMS webinar. See link above for details and registration.
August 13	Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism Webinar: Seabirds 7:00 to 8:00 pm ET. Learn about Florida’s resident and migratory seabirds, their habitats, and threats these birds face. We will also discuss how seabirds serve as sentinels of the ocean and its resources, and how studying these populations can help us understand our marine environments. See link above for details and registration.
September 10	Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism Webinar: Enhancing Ecotourism with the Florida Master Naturalist Program 7:00 to 8:00 pm ET. The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) helps ecotour operators deliver engaging, accurate tours while promoting conservation. Its science-based training enhances credibility, attracts eco-conscious travelers, and supports sustainable tourism. Learn how FMNP certification can elevate your business and deepen your connection to Florida’s diverse ecosystems. See link above for details and registration.
October 8	Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism Webinar: Enhancing Ecotourism with the Florida Master Naturalist Program 7:00 to 8:00 pm ET. Learn about the ecology of Florida’s marine mammals and the research and stranding response work that Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch conducts in our state. We will also discuss best practices as to how to ensure we are boating safely and interacting responsibly with these marine mammals. See link above for details and registration.
November 12	Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism Webinar: Enhancing Ecotourism with the Florida Master Naturalist Program 7:00 to 8:00 pm ET. Learn about the different species of plants that make up our mangrove and marsh habitats, how to identify them, why they are important, best practices to interact with and preserve our estuarine ecosystems, and the transition from marsh to mangrove taking place in many areas of the state.
-FEATURED ON DEMAND PRERECORDED WEBINARS-
Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Webinar Series
Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinar: 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. We discuss a range of considerations and systems that landowners can put in place to increase their resilience facing hurricanes and other potential disasters. Recorded April 15, 2021.
Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinar: Casualty Loss Tax Deduction and Determining Your Basis Casualty events may include hurricane, fire, earthquake, tornado, hail, flood, or ice storm. For investment and business owners, the deductible casualty loss is the lesser of the adjusted basis of the property or the decrease in fair market value due to the loss. This webinar will help you better understand casualty loss deduction and how to determine your basis. Presented by Dr. Tamara Cushing, Forest Business Specialist at UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. Note that CFEs are not approved for the recording. Recorded June 1, 2023
Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinar: Prepare for the Storm Hurricane season begins June 1. Take some important steps to prepare your property for the next storm. Topics include important resources, assessing risk, documentation, protecting property, and contacts to have lined up ahead of a hurricane or other disaster. Presented by Chris Demers, Extension Program Manager at UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Science. Recorded June 15, 2023.
Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinar: USDA Disaster Recovery Assistance Programs Provided by UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program and Florida partners in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This webinar will give a brief overview of the disaster assistance programs USDA FSA offers, steps to take in advance to make the enrollment process as efficient as possible, and how to find your local USDA service center. Note that SAF CFEs are not approved for the recording. Recorded June 22, 2023.
Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinar: Recovering from the Storm Provided by the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program, in this webinar we discuss key assistance contacts and strategies to recover value and minimize economic losses to timber within a week and months after a hurricane. Presented by Chris Demers, Extension Program Manager, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. Recorded August 24, 2023.

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 Florida Tree Farmer John Nash. Recorded June 27, 2024.
Recordings, links, and materials for all Florida Land Steward Program Events and Webinars here
* UF/IFAS ONLINE FOREST LANDOWNER ACADEMY *