Florida's Forest Stewardship Program

Developed by Chris DemersUniversity of Florida

School of Forest Resources and Conservation

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

Program Objective:

Encourage forest landowners to actively manage their renewable natural resources

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

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)

Who is Eligible for the Program? Any private landowner with a

minimum of 25 acres

Becoming a Forest Steward

Nomination by agency professionals, other landowner, or self

Development of a management plan

Approval of completed practices Forest Steward Certification

What are Your Objectives? Timber Wildlife Recreation / Aesthetics Soil and Water Conservation Grazing

Multiple Use Forest Management

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

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