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

  
  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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  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

  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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  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)
  March 20-21	Central Florida Sportsman’s Expo Tom Varn Park, 301 Darby Rd., Brooksville, FL 34601. University of Florida IFAS and FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be exhibiting and available to answer questions. $5 Entry Fee, children under 12 Free. See link for details and informative video about the event.

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  West Florida Events

  WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west)

  May  14

  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. This tour was moved to this year due to the current COVID-19 health crisis. Topics to include 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. More details to be posted if/when this event is confirmed.

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  Webinars / Online Training

  March 3	USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) State Technical Committee Meeting (Virtual on Webex) 9:30 am to 12:00 pm ET. The meeting is available to the public. NRCS will solicit recommendations for establishing program criteria and priorities for conservation in Florida. See link above for meeting agenda and information on joining via Webex or phone.
  March 10	Forestry and Natural Resources Webinar: Invasive Grasses in the Southeastern United States 1:00 pm ET. See link above for details and to join.
  March 11-12	2021 Virtual Florida Urban Forestry Institute Topics include climate variability impacts on community forests, tree equity scores, assessing tree conditions, the difference between soft and hard spaces, trees and roadway safety, utilizing rain gardens to provide multiple community benefits, grant programs, and more. See link above for details and registration.
  March 16-17	Forestry and Natural Resources Virtual Conference: 21st Biennial Southern Silviculture Research Conference This two day virtual conference will be held March 16-17, 2021. Registration fee is $75.00 for professionals and $25.00 for Students This conference includes 6 concurrent sessions, a poster session, and continuing education credits. See link above for details and registration
  March 17	Conservation Webinar: Beneficial Invertebrates in our Soil 2:00 pm ET. See link above for details and to join.
  March 30	Webinar: Managing a Nuisance Native Species, Titi (Cyrilla racemiflora L) in Restoration Activities 10:00 am to 12:00 pm ET. Presented by University of Florida IFAS, The Nature Conservancy, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Forest Service. Foresters, land managers, landowners, restoration practitioners, scientists, wildlife biologists, and others are invited. Licensed Florida Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Credits: 2 CEUs Natural Area Weed Management or 2 CEUs Forestry Pest Control (Program ID 30770). See link above for registration.
  March 31 - April 1	Virtual 2-Day EDDMapS Summit for Beginners to Experts This will be a comprehensive two-day training and partner discussion around EDDMapS (Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System). Get everything you need to know to map invasive species on the land you own and/or manage. Hosted by the North American Invasive Species Management Association, this free summit is open to everyone from beginners to experienced users. See link above for details and registration.
  On-Demand	Florida Land Steward Webinar (recording): Advances in Herbicide Technology in Pine Management Provided by Florida Forest Service and University of Florida IFAS. Dr. Pat Minogue, UF/IFAS, shares the latest information on forestry herbicides. Recorded February 16, 2021.  See link above to view. If you are new to forestry, we recommend watching the February 9 vegetation management primer - why use herbicides (below).
  On-Demand	Florida Land Steward Webinar (recording): Vegetation Management Primer - Why Use Herbicides? Get a primer on forest vegetation management and why we use herbicides to help our forest stand become established, improve habitat for wildlife, combat invasive species, and more. Recorded on February 9, 2021. See link above to view.
  Florida Land Steward Webinar Registrations, Recordings, Links, and Materials Forestry & Natural Resource Webinars Southern Fire Exchange Webinars UF/IFAS Spring 2021 Panhandle Outdoors Live Webinars  UF/IFAS 2021 Spring Virtual Bee College – 4 Saturdays in March