| News & Info Brief EPA's FINAL DECISION ON FOREST ROADS
From the Florida Forestry Association
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made its final decision with regard to the lawsuit originating in the western U.S. that required the agency to consider whether the Clean Water Act requires additional regulations for stormwater discharges from forest roads. The EPA has decided that "no additional regulations are needed to address stormwater discharges from forest roads under the Clean Water Act at this time." The EPA also stated that "State, federal, regional, tribal government, and private sector programs already exist nationwide to address water quality problems caused by discharges from forest roads. Many of these programs have been improved and updated in recent years. Program implementation rates are generally high and have been shown to be effective in protecting water quality when properly implemented. These programs employ a variety of approaches that are tailored to address regional and local differences. EPA has concluded that efforts to help strengthen existing programs would be more effective in further addressing forest road discharges than superimposing an additional federal regulatory layer over them." More at the Florida Land Steward blog
EASY WAY TO CONNECT AND RECEIVE CONSERVATION HELP FROM USDA
From USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has an online web application that allows you to request conservation technical and financial assistance. Log on to the Conservation Client Gateway to apply for conservation program assistance, manage applications, review and sign documents, access conservation plans, maps and other documents.
For more information, fact sheets, FAQs and a how-to video, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/clientgateway. Producers can also contact NRCS at their local USDA Service Center office. Service center locations and program information can be found on the Florida NRCS Web site at www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov.
SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE ACTIVITY UPDATE
From Florida Forest Service (FFS)
New infestations have been found this week. in Baker and Nassau Counties. As of the last update, more than 150 infestations have been documented, covering over 550 acres in twelve counties. More possible locations are being investigated each week. Summer temperatures are ideal for rapid SPB development, which peaks at 85-90° F. County Foresters, Pilots, Forest Health Section staff, and other FFS field personnel are actively conducting aerial surveys and ground checks, and landowners in many locations are conducting suppression/salvage harvests. See latest infestation map here.
SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Applications for the program will be accepted until July 29, 2016.
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program is offered to eligible non-industrial private forest landowners by the Florida Forest Service through temporary grants from the USDA Forest Service.
Periodic southern pine beetle (SPB) outbreaks in Florida have resulted in millions of cubic feet of pine timber killed on thousands of acres. The goal of this program is to minimize SPB damage in Florida by helping forest landowners conduct management practices that can make their pine stands less susceptible to this destructive insect pest. Forest management practices such as thinning, prescribed burning, other competition control, and use of less-susceptible pine species can improve the health of pine stands and decrease their likelihood of developing SPB infestations. For more information on the SPB Prevention program, see the SPB Prevention Program web page and contact your Florida Forest Service County Forester office.
COGONGRASS TREATMENT COST-SHARE PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Applications for the program will be accepted until July 29, 2016.
The Florida Forest Service is now accepting applications for the Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program. Applications for the program will be accepted through July 29, 2016. Cogongrass is an invasive, non-native grass that occurs in Florida and several other southeastern states. Cogongrass infestations negatively affect tree regeneration, growth and survival, as well as wildlife habitat, native plant diversity, forage quality and property values. They also increase the risk of wildfires and alter fire behavior.
The Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program, which is supported through a grant from the USDA Forest Service, is offered for non-industrial private lands in all Florida counties. It provides reimbursement of 50 percent of the cost to treat cogongrass infestations with herbicide for two consecutive years. To obtain an application form or to learn more about program requirements, contact a local Florida Forest Service county forester or visit the Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program webpage. All qualifying applications will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
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 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) | | August 12-13 | South Florida & Caribbean Bee College (link), UF/IFAS Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, FL. Calling all beekeepers, new and experienced, growers, gardeners, and anyone interested in learning about bees and beekeeping. See link above for details and registration. | | August 30 - September 1 | Florida Forestry Association 2016 Annual Meeting: "Working Forests Work", Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, Amelia Island, FL. See link for details or call (850) 222-5646. | | October 4-6 | Private Lands Partners Day: The Northern Everglades - The Land, Water and People (link), Chateau Elan Hotel and Conference Center, Sebring, FL. Hosted by The Partners for Conservation, this event brings together landowners and partners from across the nation to interact with conservation agency leadership from across the country, share stories of partnership, and visit ranches that are models for successful public-private partnerships. See link above for more information. | | October 6 | Forest Stewardship Tree / Forest Plant ID Field Day (link), 9 am to 3 pm ET, Morningside Nature Center, Gainesville, FL. Join us to learn some strategies to help you identify trees, shrubs and herbaceous species. We will cover some basic skills and put them to work in woods, identifying a sample of sandhill, flatwoods and swamp species in the field. Cost is $10 per person, lunch and materials included. Please register on-line at https://fsp-workshop100616.eventbrite.com/. You can also reserve a space by contacting Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu, (352) 846-2375. | | WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west) | | July 21 | Veterans, New, Small Farmer Workshop, 9 am - 2 pm CT, UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Extension Office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview, FL 32359. Free workshop about agricultural programs and services available to veterans, small and beginning farmers, More information and registration on-line at http://www.farmcredit-fl.com/workshop.aspx or (850) 526-4910. | | July 21, August 25, September 15 | Principles of Pasture Productivity Workshop Series (link), 6:30 pm CT, UF/IFAS Calhoun County Extension Office, Blountstown, FL. Provided by UF/IFAS, this series will help livestock producers gain a better understanding of pasture productivity. There is a $25 registration fee for the entire series or $10 per session. Light refreshments and printed program materials will be provided. See link above for details and registration or contact Calhoun County Extension Office at (850) 674-8323. | | August 9, September 13 | Principles of Pasture Productivity Workshop Series (link), 6:30 pm CT, UF/IFAS Washington County Extension Office, Chipley, FL. Provided by UF/IFAS, this series will help livestock producers gain a better understanding of pasture productivity. There is a $25 registration fee for the entire series or $10 per session. Light refreshments and printed program materials will be provided. See link above for details and registration or contact Washington County Extension Office at (850) 638-6180. | | August 27 | FAMU Grape Harvest Festival, 8 am - 4 pm ET, FAMU Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research, 6505 Mahan Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32317. | | September 15 | Invasive Exotic Species and Control Workshop (link), 9 am to 3 pm ET, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Training Center, 108 Island Drive Eastpoint, FL 32328. Provided by Apalachicola Regional Stewardship Alliance and Florida Forest Stewardship Program. $10 fee covers materials and lunch. FDACS Pesticide applicator CEUs approved: 2.0 General Standards/Core 487, 2.0 General Standards Core 482, 3.0 Private Applicator, 2.0 Ag Row Crop, 3.0 Forestry, 3.0 Natural Areas Weed Mgmt, 3.0 ROW, 1.0 Limited Wildlife Trapper. SAF CFEs pending approval. Please register on-line at http://www.gulfalliancetraining.org/detail.aspx?Id=118 or you can reserve a space by contacting Anita Grove at the Reserve at (850) 670-7708, Anita.Grove@dep.state.fl.us | | September 27 | Forest Stewardship Workshop: Use Prescribed Fire Safely and Effectively (link), 8:30 am to 3 pm CT, Blackwater State Forest Bear Lake Pavilion, Munson, FL. This program will provide an overview of the uses of fire in natural resource management and the proper planning necessary for a successful prescribed burn. A burn demonstration will be planned and executed if conditions allow. $10 fee covers lunch and materials. Register on-line at https://fsp-workshop092716.eventbrite.com/. You can also reserve a space by contacting Bethany at the UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Extension Office at (850) 675-6654. | | October 25-28 | Prescribed Fire for Wildlife (link), Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL. Provided by the Florida Wildlife Society, Tall Timbers, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Details to be posted at link above or contact Jim Schortemeyer, schortfire@aol.com, (239) 455-5847. | | WEBINARS | | July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16 | Wildlife Wednesday Webinar (link), 12:15 - 1:00 pm ET, provided by Pinellas and Polk UF/IFAS Extension. See link above for details and registration. | | July 28, Aug 25, Sep 22, Oct 27, Nov 17, Dec 15 | Your Legacy, Your Land Monthly Webinar Series (link), provided by American Forest Foundation. See link for details. | | August 2 | Webinar: Residue and Tillage Management in Organic Farming Systems: Eastern States (link), 3 pm ET, See link for details. | *** |
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