UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA SEEKING NEWLY PLANTED LOBLOLLY PINE SITES IMPACTED BY DROUGHT
Do you have newly planted loblolly pine trees and think they may have suffered higher than usual mortality this year? The University of Florida IFAS is investigating the survival of loblolly pines planted during the 2025-2026 drought. If you have land in Florida, Georgia, or Alabama, and would be willing to grant us access, we will measure survival on pine seedlings planted during this most recent season. The goal is to provide forest landowners and managers with predictions of pine tree survival under different drought and management conditions. If interested, please email Dr. Jason Vogel, [email protected].
NEW FLORIDA LAND STEWARD VIDEO RELEASED!
Check out our short new video about the Florida Land Steward Program. Share with neighbors, friends, family, colleagues that might be interested. Watch and share the new Florida Land Steward Program video.
FLORIDA RANCHER SURVEY
Kayley Winter, a graduate student at Florida Gulf Coast University, is conducting an independent study on how Florida ranchers navigate development, economic, and family succession pressures. She’s seeking quality data behind the real challenges this community faces every day. The survey is for landowners with a livestock operation on their property, is completely voluntary, and will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Please participate if you can. Access the Florida Ranch Survey here.
FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR PAYMENT FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PILOT PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Apply by July 31, 2026!
This program will provide financial compensation to eligible landowners to maintain their land undeveloped to provide wildlife habitat connectivity, aquifer recharge, and/or water quality benefits. This pilot program is available to landowners with property within Florida Wildlife Corridor lands in Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, and Polk Counties near the Avon Park Air Force Bombing Range. The window to apply is short. Applications must be completed by July 31. Learn more and apply for this new income opportunity at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Payment for Ecosystem Services Pilot Program web site. Please share this opportunity with landowners, ranchers, producers, and partners in this area.
CONSERVATION FLORIDA’S PRIVATE LANDS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apply by August 31, 2026
Conservation Florida’s Private Lands Stewardship Program helps landowners protect, restore, and sustain Florida’s working and wild landscapes. Program partners will assist with invasive species control, prescribed fire, water management, or long-term conservation planning. Land management resources, expertise, and financial support from this initiative are available to landowners within the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape located in Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, and Polk Counties, but they are hoping to expand the area of assistance. For more details and to apply for this assistance see the Private Lands Stewardship Program web site.
FLORIDA BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
Apply by August 25, 2026
Florida’s agricultural producers have faced significant losses due to recent hurricanes including damage to structures, crops, and long-term productive assets. This program, developed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will provide financial support to help producers rebuild, restore operations, and return to full production. If your operation experienced damage or loss during the 2023 or 2024 hurricane seasons, you may be eligible for assistance. Learn more and check your eligibility at the FDACS Florida Block Grant web site.
USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) NOW ACCEPTING REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (RCPP) PROPOSALS
Proposals are due by August 24, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting RCPP project proposals now through August 24, 2026, to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners boost their operations and conserve natural resources. RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation through NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners, and communities in collaboration with project partner organizations. Apply by August 24, 2026. See this June 23, 2026 USDA NRCS News Release for details.
REPORT CORAL ARDISIA ON EDDMAPS
The UF Invasive Species Council is launching a coordinated reporting campaign for the highly invasive plant, coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata) now through July 30, 2026. Submit your observations on the EDDMapS app during the campaign window. Every contributor will be awarded the “Ardisia Agent” badge on their EDDMapS account, and the top three reporters will receive gold, silver, and bronze versions. See this very short Ardisia Agent video on YouTube. The goal is to have more resources dedicated to finding a biocontrol agent for this invasive plant.
Learn more and download the app on the EDDMapS website. For a more thorough description, check out the UF Urban Forestry Extension’s Shared Canopy, Shared Ground EDDMapS presentation.
REPORT YOUR WILD TURKEY SIGHTINGS THIS SUMMER!
Participate in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC’s) Wild Turkey Summer Brood Survey and report your wild turkey sightings from June 1 – August 31. These observations help FWC biologists learn more about annual nesting success, brood survival, distribution, and abundance of wild turkeys in Florida. The FWC conducts this summer wild turkey survey every year. A young turkey poult is pictured in the banner above, photo by Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS.
For more information, turkey identification tips, and to participate, see the FWC’s Summer Wild Turkey Brood Survey.
HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE. ARE YOU READY?
Hurricane season runs through November. We’ve learned the hard way in recent years that powerful hurricanes can make their way inland and do considerable damage to forest lands and agricultural enterprises. It’s time to be ready for a powerful storm that could track inland.
We have again added the recordings of our Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Webinars to the list of on-demand webinars in the online Florida Land Steward events calendar.
See these UF/IFAS Extension publications on hurricane preparation, impacts, and recovery:
Prepare Your Property for Hurricane Season
Assessment and Management of Hurricane Damaged Timberland
Hurricane Impacts on Prescribed Fire and Wildfire Management
As always, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Center is a good place to keep an eye on the tropics.
FOREST HEALTH MODULE RELEASED IN THE UF ONLINE FOREST LANDOWNER ACADEMY
The UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences extension team is excited to announce the launch of a Forest Health Module in the Online Forest Landowner Academy. Those already enrolled in the course have full access to the new module.
For more details on the new content and instructors, see the recent blog post about the Forest Health Module here.
Here’s the direct link to enroll or access the course if you are already enrolled:
https://ifas-sfrc-for.catalog.instructure.com/courses/for-fla.
As always, questions about the course can be directed to Chris Demers, [email protected], (352) 846-2375.
GET FLORIDA LAND STEWARD EMAIL UPDATES
Don’t miss out on news and events! Sign up for the regular email updates! Send an email to the Florida Land Steward Program manager at [email protected] to be added to the email listserv. Florida Land Steward email updates are sent once a week or every other week and include the latest calendar of workshops, tours and other events; a link to the current issue of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter; updates on cost-share and other assistance programs, opportunities, and resources; and other stewardship related news and information.
MORE NEWS, EVENTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
See our Events Calendar and News page for upcoming events and ongoing programs, initiatives, and opportunities.
ACCESS THE QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER ONLINE
Access the current and back issues of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter here.
HAVE AN EVENT OR RELATED NEWS TO SHARE?
Drop a line with the details and link(s) to the Florida Land Steward Program manager at [email protected].
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!