| News & Info Brief 2012 SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE FORECAST
By Chris Pearce, Florida Forest Service
A pheromone trap survey was conducted in March 2012 as part of an ongoing program to monitor the populations of Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) and its associated predators. The purpose is to provide an early-season prediction of the potential level of SPB activity in select Florida counties, and identify areas which may be at increased risk for an outbreak. The results of the 2012 survey indicate that SPB populations are low at all but one trap location in St. Johns County and suggest that the risk of widespread SPB infestations in the majority of the surveyed counties is low. Full report (pdf) DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR WORKING LANDS FOR WILDLIFE COST-SHARE PROGRAM
Private landowners are eligible to receive funds specifically for managing gopher tortoise habitat. Of the $33 million mentioned in the press release below, approx. $6 million is reserved for improving gopher tortoise habitat throughout its range. The goal of this new funding initiative is to help reverse the decline of 7 critical species. The deadline for landowners to submit applications is May 30, 2012. Information on how to apply is included on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website at http://www.fws.gov/workinglandsforwildlife.html. Landowners can contact their local NRCS office for more information. Find your local contact here: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app LADY LANDOWNERS, NEW RESOURCES FOR YOU AT THE NATIONAL WOMEN OWNING WOODLANDS WEB PROJECT
A collaboration of the National Woodland Owners Association and the USDA Forest Service, the Women Owning Woodlands web project strives to bring topical, accessible, and current forestry information to woodland owners and forest practitioners through news articles, blogs, events, resources, and personal stories. We support women in forest leadership, women who manage their own woodlands, and all who facilitate the stewardship of forests. Learn More. SMALL FARMS AND ALTERNATIVE ENTERPRISES CONFERENCE: EDUCATING ENTREPRENEURS TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS, JULY 27-29, 2012, KISSIMMEE, FL
Register now for this great event! An annual tradition, this event provides farmers with up-to-date, research-based, in-depth educational information. The conference aims to facilitate solutions-based collaboration by encouraging networking and an open dialog among members of Florida’s small farms community. Additionally, the conference is an excellent vehicle for increasing awareness of Florida’s small farms industry, which organizers accomplish by including participation from decision makers and supporting institutions, and partners from the public sector. Early registration deadline is July 9 but many sessions have limited capacity so register as soon as possible. See the website for more details and registration: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms/index.html UF BIOLOGISTS SEEK HELP FINDING OUT WHAT COYOTES ARE EATING
Coyote carcasses wanted! If you have at least 5 coyote carcasses that you would like to provide for this study, contact Bill Giuliano at the University of Florida to arrange for pickup (352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu). If you have fewer than 5 animals or are going to be coming through Gainesville, arrangements can be made to get carcasses from you at the University or combine your animals with others in your area for a pickup. Carcasses should be frozen in a suitable bag or container, and include the name of contributor, date harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained (at least to the county level). We have obtained a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for this project, and will keep information provided by you for this project anonymous to the extent possible by law. We greatly appreciate your help with this valuable study! LEON COUNTY EXTENSION ANNOUNCES PERMACULTURE COURSES - SUMMER QUARTER
See the course flyer at: http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu/Flyer_Permaculture%20Course%202012_ver3.pdf. To register, contact Genice Harris at (850) 606-5202, or Will Sheftall at Sheftallw@leoncountyfl.gov MASTER NATURALIST COURSES
See the website for current offerings: http://www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/ ONLINE EVENTS / EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/florida_forestry_information/events_calendar/online_events.html WANT TO CUT BACK ON PAPER MAIL?
If you receive the Florida Land Steward Newsletter by mail and prefer to get the publication online via a link provided in regular email updates, let us know. Contact Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu, (352) 846-2375. | 
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