The Florida Forest Service Invites Citizens to Provide Input on Important Forestland Protection Program The Florida Forest Service Will Hold Three Forest Legacy Program Workshops for Citizens and Stakeholders in August The Florida Department ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Florida Forest Service

The Florida Forest Service announces public meetings to which all persons are invited.

DATES AND TIMES: August 5, 2014, 6:00 p.m.; August 7, 2014, 6:00 p.m.; August 12, 2014, 6:00 p.m.

PLACES: August 5, 2014: Osceola County Extension Office, Osceola Heritage Park, 1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744; August 7, 2014: Eyster Auditorium, 3125 Conner Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32311; August 12, 2014: Doyle Conner Bldg., 1911 Southwest 34 Street, Gainesville, FL 32608

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Florida Forest Service invites citizens to provide input on Important Forestland Protection Program.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Forest Service is updating portions of the state’s Forest Action Plan related to the USDA Forest Legacy Program and is inviting citizens and stakeholders to get involved. The Florida Forest Service’s participation in the Forest Legacy Program compliments its Rural and Family Lands Protection Program by helping to protect and conserve important forest areas through voluntary conservation easements and fee simple purchases.

“The protection and conservation of forests in Florida is vital,” said Jim Karels, State Forester. “Florida’s forests provide countless benefits including forest products, job opportunities, recreational opportunities, and the protection of water quality and wildlife habitat.”

Currently, the Florida Forest Service is partnering with Florida State University’s Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) to update and identify priority forestlands that qualify as Forest Legacy areas eligible for federal funding from the Forest Legacy Program.

Landowner participation in the program, including the sale of lands and interests in lands, is entirely voluntary. For more information about the Forest Legacy Program, visit http://bit.ly/1pjuaca or call the Forest Legacy Program Coordinator at [phone].

The Florida Forest Service manages more than one million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire. For more information about sustainable forestry practices and forest conservation efforts in Florida, visit www.FloridaForestService.com.

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Larame Ferry at [phone] or [phone].

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 24 hours before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Larame Ferry at [phone] or [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).