GAINESVILLE, Fla.– Aug. 19, 2020 –A Shared Stewardship agreement between the USDA’s Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Farm Service Agency and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Forest Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was signed yesterday during a virtual ceremony.
This agreement establishes a framework for federal and state agencies to collaborate better, focus on accomplishing mutual goals, further common interests and effectively respond to the increasing ecological challenges and natural resource concerns in Florida.
The agreement was signed by:
Erin Albury, State Forester, Florida Forest Service
Eric Sutton, Executive Director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Ken Arney, Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service Southern Region
Kelly Russell, Forest Supervisor, National Forests in Florida
Juan Hernandez, Florida State Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Sherry McCorkle, Florida State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency
This new agreement centers on USDA’s commitment to work with states and other partners to use the best available science to identify high-priority forests that need treatment and to ensure the long-term sustainability of public and private lands.
“Partnerships remain essential to everything we do and allow for greater success in reaching our conservation goals and in protecting our natural resources,” said Juan Hernandez, Florida State Conservationist, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “This Shared Stewardship agreement strengthens our commitment to partner in these mutually beneficial areas.”
The agreement can be found here.