Florida's Forest Stewardship Program

1
Florida's Forest Stewardship Program

• Developed by Chris Demers
• University of Florida
• School of Forest Resources and Conservation

2
What is Forest Stewardship?

• The wise use and management of forest resources
  that maintains and enhances the value of those
  resources for present and future generations

3
Program Objective

• Encourage forest landowners to actively manage
  their renewable natural resources

4
Landowners Use Their Properties For

• Additional income
• Leisure - hiking, biking, hunting, fishing,
  wildlife viewing, etc.
• Contributing to long-term conservation of forests
  in the region

5
How Does the Program Assist Landowners?

• Technical assistance (DOF, FWC, IFAS)
• Opportunities to learn about forest management
  strategies
• Increased economic opportunity
• Documentation of active management
• Recognition as a leader in wise management with
  sign, certificate and publicity (if desired)

6
Who is Eligible for the Program?

• Any private landowner with a minimum of 25 acres

7
Becoming a Forest Steward

• Nomination by agency professionals, other
  landowner, or self
• Development of a management plan
• Approval of completed practices
• Forest Steward Certification

8
What are Your Objectives?

• Timber
• Wildlife
• Recreation / Aesthetics
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Grazing

9
Multiple Use Forest Management

• Forest Stewards have multi-resource management
  plans based on primary and secondary objectives

10
To Get Started in the Program

• Call your Florida Division of Forestry county
  forester, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
  Commission Stewardship Biologist, or the
  University of Florida Stewardship Coordinator