Friday, December 18, 2015

Empowering Women in Technology Startups - Spring 20116

Please find in the attached file a flier for the upcoming Spring 2016 session of Empowering Women in Technology Startups Program.  Information Sessions will begin in January.

 

Best,

Jack

 

 

 

__________________________________________________________

Jack M. Payne, Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources

1008 McCarty Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0180

(352-392-1971) jackpayne@ufl.edu; @JackPayneIFAS; www.ifas.ufl.edu

 

Janice L. Newmans, Executive Administrative Assistant

(352-273-3453) jlne@ufl.edu

 


Conference

Monday, December 14, 2015

Florida Land Steward Update 12/11/15

Florida Land Steward Update
December 11, 2015


Have Land?  Get a Plan and Stay Connected.  Florida Land Steward is your source of assistance, information, events and resources.


News, information and upcoming events below.  
Please share this update with your neighbors, colleagues and others that may be interested.

- Florida Land Steward Newsletter (Fall-Winter 2015 (Vol 4, No 4) and back issues -

 

News & Info Brief


RECORDING OF DECEMBER 10 FOREST HEALTH UPDATE WORKSHOP NOW AVAILABLE 
Insects and diseases are natural components of the forest. Some of these insects and diseases can become pests when they inhibit tree regeneration and/or growth on a large scale. In addition to native pests, invasive exotic pests are a growing challenge, with new species being introduced every year. This workshop provides an update on current forest health issues and priorities across Florida with emphasis on proactive management and available assistance. Recorded presentations, materials and related links are all here. 

2016 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD CALENDARS ARE HERE!
Just in time for the Holidays, our 2016 Florida Land Steward Calendars are in. With beautiful photos, land management highlights, tips, partner resources and contacts, these make a great gift for you or the farmer/landowner on your list. First come, first serve for Forest Stewards, Tree Farmers, farmers, landowners, and private land managers while supplies last. Email Chris at cdemers@ufl.edu to request your copy. Please include your mailing address when you drop a line.


TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2015 TAX YEAR
Federal income tax laws can influence a private woodland owner's financial decisions about land management. Yet, special favorable tax provisions on timber that are intended to encourage private forest management and stewardship are commonly unknown. To help woodland owners in filing their 2015 tax returns, this publication, by Dr. Linda Wang, USDA Forest Service National Timber Tax Specialist, explains the federal income tax laws on timber. The information is not legal or accounting advice. It is current as of September 30, 2015. This publication and other related resources are available at http://www.timbertax.org


USDA NRCS PROGRAMS HELP FLORIDA FARMERS, RANCHERS CONERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
Application deadline for financial assistance Dec. 18
Florida farmers and ranchers can apply until Dec. 18, 2015, for financial and technical assistance from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs for fiscal year 2016 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year. 

Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to conserve agricultural lands and wetlands. Agricultural Land Easements help farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Eligible partners are Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs. Wetland Reserve Easements offer technical and financial assistance directly to private landowners and Indian tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of a wetland easement.

Begin by visiting your local NRCS field office and requesting help developing a conservation plan. Our experts provide this free service to help you use your natural resources more efficiently. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.


FOREST STEWARDSHIP VIDEOS  - VIEW AND SHARE!
Enjoy and share these videos about a variety of stewardship topics: the Forest Stewardship Program, forests and water, thinning your pine stand, invasive species, greenbelt property tax assessment. All these videos are on the Florida Forest Stewardship Program home page – check them out:  http://sfrc.ufl.edu/forest_stewardship


SOMETHING BUGGING YOUR TREES?
Do you have pests or a disease in your trees? Leaves or needles wilting, and you don't know why? Sawdust falling out of your trees, and you don't know how to save them? There is help: ask your question at the free Forest Health Diagnostic Forum: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/treehealth/forum/.


GOT AN INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEM?
Go to floridainvasives.org for information, assistance and partnership opportunities.


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?


HAVE AN EVENT OR RELATED NEWS TO SHARE?
Drop a line to Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu


More news and info at the Florida Land Steward Blog

 

***

EAST FLORIDA (Madison County, east and south)

February 17-19
2016

Wildlife and Invasive Species Education (link), 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, UF/IFAS Sumter County Extension, 7620 SR 471, Ste 2, Bushnell, FL 33513. Topics will include: Coyotes, Invasive Fish, Invasive Pigs, Invasive Plants, Florida Panther, Florida Black Bear, Reptiles, Butterflies and much More! Visit the link above to view the full agenda register.

May 2-5

2016 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course, Coral Springs, FL. Don't miss 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! See link above for details and registration.

 WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west)

 

 WEBINARS, POLYCOM WORKSHOPS, REGIONAL EVENTS

December 16

Wildlife Wednesdays Webinar Series, 12:15 to 1 pm. Free and open to the public. Provided by UF/IFAS Polk County Extension. Information and registration at http://www.polknr.eventbrite.com

January 12, 2016

Webinar: The New NRCS Division of Soil Health: Approach and Benefits (link), 2 pm ET, See link for details.

January 19

Webinar: Management of Confined Livestock Systems from a Producer's Perspective (link), 2 pm ET, See link for details.

***


More events on these sites and web calendars:

UF/IFAS Web Calendar

Florida Forest Stewardship Calendar

http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/events_calendar.html

http://www.floridainvasives.org/

Florida Master Naturalist Program

Florida Native Plant Society Chapters:  http://www.fnps.org/chapters/chapters

Brooker Creek Preserve Events, Pinellas County

Florida Forest Service Training Opportunities

Forestry Webinars


Check with your UF/IFAS County Extension Office for more events
and information relevant to your county:

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/

On Facebook? Visit and Like   Florida Land Steward on Facebook

 

 

Florida Land Steward Partnership:

 

UF/IFAS SCHOOL OF FOREST RESOURCES & CONSERVATION
UF/IFAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PARTNERS PROGRAM
PENINSULAR FLORIDA LANDSCAPE COOPERATIVE

FLORIDA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION / SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE

FLORIDA TREE FARM PROGRAM

 

http://floridalandsteward.org

 

To be added or removed from this service, simply email a request to cdemers@ufl.edu

 

 

Entomology and Nematology Newsletter - December 2015

The December 2015 issue of the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Newsletter is now available- http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2015-2017/December15.html

 

 

This month's news includes:

Faculty and student news

Lab news

Publications and meetings

Social media and outreach activities and more...

Issues usually are published by mid-month. Submit items for an issue by the seventh of that month.

We would like to share news when it happens using our social media outlets- Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Follow us on these sites for daily updates! Use the #UFBugs hashtag when you post your UF insect finds.

When you send news we will post it on one or more of these sites and again in the monthly newsletter.

Have a safe and happy winter break!

Thank you for reading,

Jennifer

 

 

 

Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, Ph.D.

UF/IFAS Entomology & Nematology Department

Rm. 3006 Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive

PO Box 110620, Gainesville Florida 32611-0620

Phone: (352)273-3950

Email:    gillett@ufl.edu

Twitter: @JGillettKaufman  @UFEntomology and @UFNATL

 

 

 

2016 Tree and Landscape Short Course - University of Florida Hillsborough County Extension

The 2016 Tree and Landscape Short Course, to be held on February 5, 2016 is now open for registration. The fee has been kept at the same low rate of$35 per registrant and includes course materials, breakfast bagels and coffee, and lunch.
 
A quick review of the brochure and agenda (please see the attached) will provide you with an overview of this year's topics and an appreciation for the quality of the instructors. We continue to provide breakout sessions to allow participants the flexibility to focus on topics specific to their work responsibilities and to increase their ability to obtain the most appropriate CEUs.
 
To register for the conference go to the link http://www.prohort.eventbrite.com

 
If you have any questions please contact one of us at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County office.
 
Please help spread the word about this program by sharing this email with co-workers and interested clients.
 
 ..... thanks, Rob and Susan​

 

 

Rob Northrop
Extension Forester

Urban and Community Forestry
University of Florida IFAS - Hillsborough Co. Extension
5339 County Road 579
Seffner, Florida  33584

813-744-5519 x54106

 

Value the Individual - Enrich the Community - Restore the Forest

Friday, December 11, 2015

ARS Newslink: December 7 - December 11, 2015

ARS NEWSLINK:
Web links to stories issued December 7 - December 11, 2015


ARS News Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service
December 11, 2015


How Coffee Berry Borers Survive on Caffeine

A USDA scientist and his colleagues have discovered the bacteria in the gut allows the coffee berry borer to survive on a caffeine-rich diet that is lethal to other insects. (12/8)

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2015/151208.htm

 

Confirming Nutrient Content of Supplements

A database released by the USDA and NIH validates the accuracy of label-reported ingredient levels of popular dietary supplements. (12/10)

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2015/151210.htm

 

___________________________________________

Newslink is the weekly e-mail pointer for web links to stories issued by the  Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

* Send feedback and questions to the ARS News Service at NewsService@ars.usda.gov
* You are subscribed to "Newslink" as mbhenry@ufl.edu.
* To change the address, please notify the ARS News Service at NewsService@ars.usda.gov.
* To unsubscribe, send a blank email to leave-247863-84528.9cd57c6e1af7d57c7b4ca2b2c824e5ca@ls.ars.usda.gov.
* Other ARS news products are available by e-mail. For details about them or to subscribe, please contact the ARS News Service or visit  http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/lists.htm.
__________________________________________
ARS News Service, Information Staff, Agricultural Research Service
5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD 20705-5128
NewsService@ars.usda.gov | www.ars.usda.gov/news
Phone (301) 504-1636 | fax (301) 504-1486

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Registration is Open! - 2016 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course

 

 

 

 

Join us for the 2016 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course, 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 Short Course is designed to benefit both new and experienced applicators alike. Register today at the early rate of $245, and save $50!

 

Why Should You Attend?

  • Earn 20+ Florida CEUs in a combination of categories
  • Take Florida Certification Exams
  • Exam Study and Q&A Sessions
  • Interactive Pesticide Application Equipment Calibration Training Sessions
  • Live Plant Identification Sessions
  • General Standards (CORE) Training
  • Aquatic Pest Control Training
  • Natural Areas Weed Management Training
  • Right-of-Way Weed Management Training

 

 

 


Sponsoring the Aquatic Weed Control Short Course increases your brand recognition and exposure to more than 400 applicators in person, and 5000+ applicators via digital and printed publicity announcements. Multiple sponsorship levels are available. 

 

Click here to learn more and become a sponsor today!

 

 

 

Fort Lauderdale Coral Springs Marriott

 

Reservation Cut-Off Date:

April 10, 2016

 

Special Group Rate:

$107/night + tax (Regular Room)

 

Call 954-753-5598 to request Reservations, or book your room online. (Group Code: AQT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

This meeting is organized by the University of Florida/IFAS Office of Conferences & Institutes (OCI).

 

We are pleased to provide meeting and logistics management for the Aquatic Weed Control Short Course in support of the IFAS mission to develop knowledge in agriculture, natural resources, and the environment, and to make that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. OCI is a full service conference planning division dedicated to assisting groups that share in this focus.

 

Questions?

 

Jasmine Garcia | Short Course Coordinator | j.garcia@ufl.edu | 352-294-3584

 

 

 

Heartland CISMA: what's been happening, save the dates for upcoming events, funding and job opportunities, and how gopher tortoises help with invasives treatment

Heartland CISMA catch-up:

 

1)      Heartland CISMA EDRR species committee review status- In late October, those interested met to decide how to reconcile the current EDRR list with the new one created by FWC. There was good overlap, but there are also several species on one list and not the other. We dealt with some on the spot and have an approach to deal with the others, with some research on those species being done so we can evaluate them early in the new year. If you're interested in learning more or being in on the decision-making, contact me. Species on the list are eligible for FWC EDRR Strike Team treatment, so there are stakes. If you would like a copy of Greg Jubinsky's powerpoint detailing each of the species on the FWC list, get it here

 

2)      Heartland CISMA GIS invasive prioritization update- After the EDRR committee meeting, Deb Stone asked for feedback for the next steps of applying her GIS model to prioritize invasive species in the Heartland CISMA based on EDDMapS data. Now she's back to applying those decisions and we'll keep you posted on the results.

 

3)      HalloWeed update- FNAI is analyzing reports to see the impact of HalloWeed in achieving the goal of getting more reports into EDDMapS. We'll keep you posted on the results.

4)      1st Heartland CISMA Aquatic Species Identification and Management Workshop update- The workshop last week was full, aquatic species were identified on the screen, in the field and in Mike Sowinski's famous pop-up "Garden of Evil" on the Circle B screened-in porch, and we all learned more about mapping technology and treatment options. Thanks to Shannon Carnevale for organizing our first aquatic workshop- it won't be the last!

 

5)      EDDMapS update- The review of candidate EDRR species and discussion about applying Deb Stone's model to Heartland CISMA data highlighted that the EDDMapS data are only as good as our data sharing is. We're all busy, but make sure you enter infestation data, especially about EDRR species or something new you want us all to know about. It's easy to enter a point through EDDMapS, and if you already share infestation data through FNAI, it should get there that way too.

 

HEARTLAND CISMA SAVE THE DATES:

 

6)      SAVE THE DATES and get creative! National Invasive Species Awareness Week is officially February 21-27, 2016. Plan your own event using the NISAW Toolkit at www.nisaw.org/ and let us know what you're doing or if you have ideas for the CISMA. We usually have our annual workshop that week, but it will be held the following week this year to extend the awareness (see next item).

 

7)      SAVE THE DATE! Heartland CISMA 6th annual Central Florida Invasive Species Workshop will be held Wednesday, March 2nd, Circle B Bar Reserve- We are happy to announce this workshop is coming up the week following NISAW. If you have topic or speaker suggestions, email or call. Better yet, let me know you'd like to help with the planning or with pulling it all together that day. We're working on getting another great day of speakers and hands-on activities, and will keep you posted when we've got the Eventbrite sign-up ready.

 

8)      SAVE THE tentative DATE! 2nd annual Air Potato MegaRaid, tentatively Saturday, January 23rd- Last year we joined the Osceola CISMA in jumping on the Central Florida CISMA's Air Potato MegaRaid bandwagon, with volunteer events at several locations that not only removed air potatoes, but also provided them to researchers to raise more biocontrol air potato beetles for 2015 release. We're looking to do this again in 2016, and welcome more locations. The date is tentative while we coordinate with other CISMAs, but put this on your mental calendar and get in touch if you'd like to participate. We will keep you posted when we've got the date set and the Eventbrite sign-up ready.

 

9)      SAVE THE tentative DATE! 2nd annual Exotic Pet Amnesty Day, tentatively Saturday, May 14th- Last year we joined the Osceola CISMA and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to get an Exotic Pet Amnesty Day in central Florida at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee and had so many exotic pets surrendered to be adopted out that day that we decided to do it again. We're currently working on nailing down the details and welcome your help in what is sure to be another fascinating day with lots of exotic animals and exhibitors. Put this tentative date on your calendar and get in touch if you'd like to help before or during this event. We will keep you posted when we've got the date set and the Eventbrite sign-up ready.

 

FNAI WANTS YOUR INPUT FOR TRAININGS:

 

10)   Which rare native species are easy to confuse with invasive species? The Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI), under contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, has been tasked with the opportunity to provide one-day rare plant trainings in two of the eight FWC regions for FWC Regional Biologists, contractors, and local CISMA members.  These trainings will be classroom-style events with multi-media sources with portions of open discussion.  The intent is to educate attendees on identifying rare plants and the habitats in which they occur so that they will not be affected by invasive plant treatments. FNAI is committed to providing the most comprehensive training as possible, and would greatly appreciate your assistance in this endeavor. You are receiving this message because of your experiences with native plants and the impacts invasive exotic species can have on them. We are in the process of compiling a listing of candidate species to  include in these presentations and would like to focus the audience's attention on rare native  species that resemble invasive plants species routinely targeted for control efforts. While we are aware of a several instances where native species have been mistaken for exotic species and inadvertently damaged or killed as a result, we (gjubinsky@fnai.fsu.edu) are interested to know of any species you might be aware of that fit this criteria so we can include these plants in our training sessions. It is our goal to conduct these training sessions during the upcoming winter months in an effort to maximize attendance at these sessions. Your timely  response will be most appreciated and will hopefully enhance the quality of invasive plant management efforts on our public conservation lands.

JOB OPPORTUNITY:

 

11)   Preserve Steward at Tiger Creek Preserve in Babson Park.  This position is full-time for The Nature Conservancy and can be found at www.nature.org/careers with an application deadline of December 7, 2015.

 

 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES:

 

12)   The Kathy Craddock Burks Education Grant Request for Proposals for the 2015/16 grant cycle is now available. Please see http://www.fleppc.org/edgrants.html. The deadline for proposal submittals is December 18, 2015 by 5 pm. Could this be a Heartland CISMA activity? Get in touch with ideas!

 

13)   Request for Proposals for the FLEPPC Julia Morton Invasive Plant Research Grant. It is posted on the FLEPPC website. The maximum amount is $2,000 and the deadline is January 15, 2016Could this be a Heartland CISMA activity? Get in touch with ideas!

 

14)   The FLEPPC CISMA Grant Request for Proposals Up to $1,500 may be awarded and must be spent in one year.  Applications are due email by 5pm on February 12, 2016. Attached is the application and information about previous awards. Could this be a Heartland CISMA activity? Get in touch with ideas!

 

15)   Cogongrass cost-share available for private landowners! Just a quick update and reminder – we are now fully "live" and ready to accept cogongrass cost-share applications!  Although this is a long-running sign-up period (through February 29) for applicants to begin treatments in 2016, I urge you not to wait until the last minute to submit applications!  Submitting them early gives us time to catch and fix any errors and issues ahead of time.  Unlike some of our programs, the demand has tended not to overwhelm our supply of funding, so qualified applicants have a good chance of being approved. The Press Release has been approved: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/News-Events/Press-Releases/2015-Press-Releases/Cost-Share-Program-Now-Available-to-Help-Fight-Invasive-Destructive-Plant.  The website has been updated: www.freshfromflorida.com/Cogongrass-Program<http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Cogongrass-Program>.  Here you can download all of the forms and guidelines. As with all such programs, the landowners will have to register as vendors and submit their W-9 information at https://flvendor.myfloridacfo.com/.  Detailed instructions can be found on page 7 of the Guidelines.  If they have recently participated in or applied to one of our  programs, they may already be registered – but DFS occasionally dumps the information from inactive accounts, so they should still sign into the website to check!

 

DISPOSING OF OLD HERBICIDE OPPORTUITY:,

 

16)   Check out this opportunity. The last pick up will be after the first of the year: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/cleansweep-pesticides/ Thanks for the tip, Cody!

 

 

GOOD INFORMATION:

 

17)   "Social media as a tool to advance conservation" webinar. The Nature Conservancy's Invasive Species Learning Network continues its webinar series on Tuesday, December 8th at 2pm Eastern, with an interactive Q&A on social media using three examples to illustrate the possibilities of behavior change, stakeholder involvement, and conservation on the ground (or water)- which can all be furthered with this suite of digital tools. Join here:https://nethope.webex.com/nethope/k2/j.php?MTID=t9f948d8601052c268541601baee28fd4

 

18)    SAVE THE DATE: FLEPPC 2016 Annual Conference will take place March 9th – 11th at the Crown Plaza Melbourne –Oceanfront. Book your room by February 8th for the conference rate. More info: http://bugwoodcloud.org/CDN/fleppc/save.the.date.pdf

 

19)   SAVE THE DATE, PART 2: Annual FLEPPC CISMA Session Planning Session! March 11, 2016 from 1-4 pm. It is a non concurrent session as requested.

 

20)   News Flash! Land stewards at Tiger Creek Preserve report that they have trained gopher tortoises to perform invasive species management! For proof, see the photo below of a tortoise hacking and chewing an invasive Madagascar periwinkle.

Managers hope to train them to remove Melaleuca and Brazilian pepper next!- Courtesy of Sticky Steve Morrison

 

 

 

 

 


Cheryl Millett
Biologist

cmillett@tnc.org
(863) 635-7506, ext. 205 (Office)

(863) 604-3352 (Cell) 
(863) 635-6456 (Fax)

nature.org

Download our Nature Conservancy magazine App FREE for exclusive digital content.

    

The Nature Conservancy
LWR Office

P. O. Box 630
Babson Park, FL 33827-0630