Fox Squirrels – Denizens of the Longleaf Forest

Recently, I was touring a friend’s property in the Florida sandhills through beautiful older longleaf pines, with an open understory that is regularly burned.  As we came around the corner, two fox squirrels bounded towards the nearest large pine.  In a minute, both had found a tree they liked and were gone from sight.  I don’t know about you, but …

Christmas Tree Buying Tips

Continuing with her series on Christmas trees, Cathy Isom has some helpful tips to remember before heading out to buy your Christmas tree. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Christmas Tree Buying Tips Bringing home that perfect Douglas Fir or Noble Christmas Tree and setting it up is a big tradition for many families this season. But before …

Financial Assistance Available to West Alabama Landowners Interested in Forestry Initiative

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone announced a collaborative effort to reach forestry landowners will continue in West Alabama. NRCS Alabama will partner with the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Federation of Southern Cooperatives (FSC), the Limited Resource Landowners Educational and Assistance Network (LRLEAN), and the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) to provide assistance to …

Capitol Christmas Tree Arrives

A nearly 80-foot tall Christmas tree arrived Monday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service provides a tree each year from a different state for the Capitol. This year’s tree, an Engelmann Spruce, is 79 feet tall and comes from northwest Montana. The 15,000 lbs., the 76-year-old tree made a two-week, 3,400-mile journey to …

UF Researcher: Controlled Fires Don’t Eliminate Invasive Tree

Researchers have, in the past, reintroduced fire to restore a forest without considering its effect on exotic species that have become invasive. But a recent study by a University of Florida researcher shows that fire actually increases the proliferation of species that harm the environment, which could cause millions of dollars in damage. “Invasive species, be they plants, insects or …

Perdue Statement on House Passage of Resilient Federal Forests Act

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017 (H.R. 2936) as an important step toward better management of national forests. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), seeks to implement proactive management standards for forests and paves the way for a solution to the problem of U.S. …

Putnam Recognizes Florida’s 17 Million Acres of Forests During Working Forests Week

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service are celebrating the benefits of Florida’s more than 17 million acres of forests during Florida’s third annual Working Forests Week, which is Oct. 15 through Oct. 21. A working forest includes publicly or privately owned lands where sustainable production of timber is balanced with promoting healthy populations of …