| News & Info Brief
New events added to the calendar this week à
TIMBER TAX WEBINARS COMING UP
TODAY - February 17 and March 3, 2017: Dr. Linda Wang, National Timber Tax Specialist, USDA Forest Service, will present 2 webinars providing the latest tax info, filing season updates, practical tax tips on how to report timber sale, what timber-related expenses and losses can be deducted, who is responsible for filing 1099 on timber sales, and the IRS rules on record keeping and substantiating expenses. See links below for details: February 17, 2017, Forestry Webinar: Timber Tax Filing for the 2016 Tax Year (link), 1 pm ET.
March 3, 2017, American Forest Foundation Webinar: Timber Tax Filing for the 2016 Tax Year (link), 1 pm ET. Dr. Linda Wang's annual Timber Tax Tips publication and other related resources are available at the National Timber Tax website: http://www.timbertax.org/.
DOWNLOAD THE GOPHER TORTOISE SMARTPHONE APP
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission needs your help documenting where gopher tortoises live. You can help by downloading and using the "Florida Gopher Tortoise" smartphone application (app). With this app, you can record the location of gopher tortoises you may see in your yard, neighborhood, or crossing the road. This information will help FWC biologists better understand where populations of gopher tortoises live. more info here: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/gopher-tortoise/app/
2017 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD CALENDARS
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. If you have requested a calendar it is in the mail.
SIGN UP FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENTS
The application deadline is February 24 for fiscal year 2017 funding.
USDA NRCS provides financial assistance to partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that protect the use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland and shrub land. Eligible partners include Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs.
Under the Agricultural Land component, NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement. Where NRCS determines that grasslands of special environmental significance will be protected, NRCS may contribute up to 75 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis, funding selections are typically made once a year. Visit your local NRCS office to find out how to apply or obtain the applications online. Contact Nina Bhattacharyya, (352) 338-9554 for information.
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN DEER - FWC REQUESTS SAMPLES FROM HARVESTS
By Larry Perrin, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) requests your assistance with increased monitoring for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD is a fatal disease of white-tailed deer, and other ungulates (elk, moose, mule deer). It is not contagious to humans. CWD was originally discovered in Colorado in 1980 and now occurs in 24 other states; the closest to FL being TX and AR to the west and VA and WV to the north. Early detection is critical as this disease is extremely difficult to control, thus continuous monitoring is important.
FWC has been conducting CWD monitoring since 2001 with many of our samples coming from public wildlife management areas. We would now like to focus on obtaining samples from other public and private lands. It would be most beneficial if you would report any sick, injured, or dead deer (typically road-killed deer) to our CWD "hotline" at 866-293-9282. FWC will then make every effort to collect the necessary brain tissue and lymph nodes from these animals.
Also, if you, or any of your acquaintances, are deer hunters we would like to obtain samples from these animals as well. For hunter-killed bucks, the antlers and/or cape can be removed as normal without affecting the desired samples. If you are likely to harvest several deer (bucks or does) over the hunting season deer heads can be stored for 2 to 3 weeks if refrigerated and for an extended period if frozen. The storage of heads from the same tract of land is beneficial as we can schedule a pickup that will be much more efficient than picking up individual deer heads. Again, you can call our hotline no. (866-293-9282) to arrange for pickups. If you harvest deer from more than one area specific location information is needed for each deer since if a sample tests positive for CWD it will be essential that its location be known so that appropriate measures can be taken.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
SOMETHING BUGGING YOUR TREES?
Do you have pests or a disease in your trees? Leaves or needles wilting? Sawdust falling and you don't know why? 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 at the University of Florida 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 21 | Precision Agriculture Field Day (link), 9 am to 6 pm ET, UF/IFAS Suwannee Valley Agricultural Education Center, 8202 CR 417, Live Oak, FL 32060. $20 fee includes lunch, dinner and program. Approved for 4.5 Certified Crop Advisors credits and 1 Pesticide CEU credit. See link above for details and registration or contact Dilcia Toro at (386) 362-1725, ext 102. | | February 28 -
March 3 | 2017 Timberland Investment Conference (link), Ritz-Cartlon, Amelia Island, FL. Provided by University of GA Harley Langdale, Jr. Center for Forest Business. Optional field tour at Rayonier Forestlands on Feb 28. See link for details and registration. | | February 28 | Wealth Watchers Ag Energy Efficiency Workshop , 10 am -2 pm ET, White Harvest Farm, 5348 Moncrief Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32209. Learn about cost-saving energy efficiency methods, funding and lending opportunities Provided by USDA's NRCS & Rural Development, UF/IFAS, and FDACS. Free. Lunch served--reserve a space by calling 904-265-4736 or email Kiana Harper. See link above for details. | | March 9 | Forest Stewardship Tour at Lloyd Adams' NuView Properties in Columbia County (pdf link) , 9 am to 2 pm ET. Join us to learn about longleaf pine regeneration, prescribed fire and habitat enhancements for a variety of wildlife species. Take this opportunity to meet your County Forester, County Extension Agent, Landowner Assistance Biologists, and other resource partners that can provide management assistance, cost-share opportunities, forest certification and many other resources. $10 fee covers lunch and materials. Register at https://fsp-tour030917.eventbrite.com/ or call Columbia County Extension at (386) 758-1030 to reserve a space. | | March 10-11 | University of Florida 2017 Bee College (link), Whitney Marine Laboratory for Bioscience, 9505 N Oceanshore Blvd, Marineland, FL 32137. Provided by the UF Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab. See link above for details and registration. | | March 13-14
or
March 17-18 | Starting a Successful Hydroponic Business (link),UF/IFAS Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center, Live Oak, FL. See link above for details and registration or contact Dilcia Toro at dtoro@ufl.edu or (386) 362-1725 ext.102 | | March 16 | Forest Stewardship Workshop: Sell Your Timber for what it's Worth (pdf link), 9:00 am to 3:00 pm ET, UF/IFAS Nassau County Extension Office, 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011. Join us to learn the necessary steps to get the best return on your timber investment and meet your forest management objectives. We will also discuss income opportunities from the FWC's Gopher Tortoise Relocation Program. $10 fee covers lunch and materials. More details to be posted. Register at http://fsp-workshop031617.eventbrite.com/ or call Nassau County Extension (904) 530-6353 to reserve a space. | | March 16-17 | Urban Forestry Institute 2017: "Climbing to the Next Branch of a Managed Urban Forest" , Valencia College - West Campus, 1800 S. Kirkman Rd., Orlando, FL 32811. $160 for FUFC members and $185 for non-members. One-day registration available at $85.00 for FUFC members and $110.00 for non-members. Please call 407-872-1738 for information about our student rate. See link above for details and registration. | | April 5-7 | Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society 2017 Spring Meeting (link) , Orlando Hilton Garden Inn - SeaWorld, 6850 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821. See link above for details and registration. | | April 21 | Invasive Exotic Species and Control Workshop (pdf link), 9 am to 3 pm, UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Auditorium, Ocala, FL. Join us to learn about identifying and controlling some of the most troublesome invasive exotic plants like cogongrass, Japanese climbing fern, Old World climbing fern, Chinese tallowtree and others. We'll also address exotic animals, such as feral hogs, that are causing big headaches for forestry and agricultural producers. Earn pesticide applicator CEUs and forestry CFEs and connect with partnership and assistance opportunities! Presented by the Big Scrub Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area and Florida Forest Stewardship Program. CEUs and CFEs approved. Register at https://fsp-workshop042117.eventbrite.com/ or call Marion County Extension at (352) 671-8400 to reserve a space. | | May 3-5 | 66th Annual Florida Beef Cattle Short Course (link), Straughn IFAS Extension Professional Development Center, 2142 Shealy Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611. See link above for details and registration. | | May 8-11 | 2017 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course (link), Coral Springs, FL. 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 Short Course is designed to benefit both new and experienced applicators alike. Register by February 27 at the early rate of $245, and save $50! See link above for details and registration. Questions? Call Mandy Stage, Short Course Coordinator, (352) 392-5930, mstage@ufl.edu | | May 18-21 | 37th Annual Florida Native Plant Society Conference (link), Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, 3200 River Ranch Boulevard, River Ranch, FL 33867. The conference will address the biological and ecological connections important to the Kissimmee River Basin and beyond. See link for details and registration. | | WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west) | | February 19 | Red Hills Fire Festival (FB link), -RESCHEDULED- Free outdoor celebration, 11 am -3 pm ET, Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL, 32312. Event includes wagon ride tours, kid's activities, live music, fire equipment and prescribed burning demos, food trucks and presentations by experts in fire and wildlife. See FB link above for contact Brian Wiebler, (850) 363-1079. | | February 23 | Breakfast on the Back Forty: Wild Turkey Management Workshop (pdf link), 8:00 am to 12:00 pm CT, forest property located 1 mile south of Hwy 85 N near Laurel Hill, FL. Join us to learn how to enhance habitat for wild turkey and other wildlife on your property. Breakfast will be provided free of charge but you must pre-register by February 16, 2017. See link above for details. To pre-register contact Billie Clayton at (850) 767-3634. | | February 23 | 2017 Citrus Health Forum (calendar link), 8:00 am to 1:30 pm ET, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL. Plant pathologists and entomologists from the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred and NFREC, Quincy will present the latest information on important insect and diseases affecting citrus production. $5 fee. To pre-register call (850) 875-7105. | | March 3 | Landowner and Manager Luncheon - Pine Forest Economics and Management, 9 am – 1 pm ET, Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312. Approved for 3 Cat 1 CFEs. Registration $10. See link above for details and registration. More information call or email Kim Sash, (850) 545-3982, ksash@ttrs.org | | March 6-7 | ForestHER Workshop (link), Coffee County Extension Office, 1055 E Mckinnon St, New Brockton, AL 36351. This hands-on workshop will help women learn about forests and forest resource management in a relaxed, fun setting. Learn to read maps and measure and market timber and non-timber forest products including wildlife. Presented by Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. $70 fee. See link above for workshop times and registration or contact Bence Carter, (334) 894-5596, jbc0057@aces.edu | | May 22-25 | GIS Workshop: Applied Geospatial Solutions in Natural Resources (link), Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312. See link above for details. | | June 12-15 | Advanced GIS Workshop: Python scripting and GIS Programming (link), Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312. See link above for details. | | WEBINARS, REGIONAL EVENTS | | February 17 | Forestry Webinar: Timber Tax Filing for the 2016 Tax Year (link) , 1 pm, ET. See link for details and registration. | | February 23 | Science/Technology Webinar: Introduction to Plant Identification (link), 2 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | March 3 | American Forest Foundation Webinar: Timber Tax Filing for the 2016 Tax Year (link) , 1 to 3 pm, ET. See link for details and registration. | | March 29 | Forest Health Webinar: Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (link), 1 pm ET, See link for details and to join. | | April 19 | Forest Health Webinar: Southern Pine Beetle (link), 1 pm ET, See link for details and to join. | *** |
