Continued sustainability of Florida's forests will largely rest with the decisions of private landowners. The Florida Forestry Association has designated this space to provide useful information so that landowners can better understand their forests, its condition and how proper management can keep the forest healthy and sustainable.
Taxes
Greenbelt Guidelines
A guidance document to help property appraisers correctly apply the Greenbelt law to silvicultural properties. Click here for the Greenbelt guidelines.
Income Tax
2008 Tax Tips for Forest Owners
Forest Landowner Feature:
Jon Gould, 2006 Florida Tree Farmer of the Year
Private, non-industrial landowners, like Washington County’s Jon and Carol Gould, own and manage half of Florida’s forestland. Click here to learn what it takes for private landowners like the Goulds, Florida’s 2006 Tree Farmers of the Year, to sustain forestry in Florida for the long term.
Forest Management
Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) Safe Harbor Program
Managing habitat for RCWs can be compatible with timber harvesting, cattle production or quail management. Read more about the myths and truth of this endangered specie and how it effects the management of your land.
Forest Health Publications
Cogongrass - One Nasty Weed! Landowners should become more familiar with this invasive plant. Click here for more information on Cogon Grass.
Forest Management
Prescribed Fire Certification:
Prescribed Fire Training is available through Hillsborough Community College, as well as Florida certification for experienced burners through the Certified Burner Program.
Florida Silviculture Best Management Practices
http://www.fl-dof.com/forest_management/bmp/index.html
Best Management Practices for Silviculture and Notice of Intent to Implement
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/onestop/forms/11305.pdf
Cost Share Programs
Forest Land Enhancement Program
Available to private non-industrial forest landowners on a 50-50 or 75-25 cost-share basis depending upon Practice Title, FLEP is designed to help landowners manage timber production, wildlife habitat management, recreation and aesthetics, while enhancing their property's environmental value by protecting water quality and listed species.
Forest Land Recovery Program
Designed to provide assistance to forest landowners (10 acres or more) who suffered losses during hurricane season 2004, as a result of hurricane, tropical storm, or related events for the purposes of debris removal, replanting of timber, and other related purposes. This program is available to non-industrial forest landowners (PNIFs) on a 75:25 cost-share basis to eligible landowners.
Forest Legacy Program
To protect environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by conversion to non forest uses and, through the use of voluntary conservation easements and fee simple purchases, to promote forest land protection and other conservation opportunities.
Forestry and Wildlife Cost Share Programs
Provide non-industrial private forest landowners programs to assist them in implementing forestry and wildlife practices.
