The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) announced a new strategy for managing catastrophic wildfires and the impacts of invasive species, drought, and insect and disease epidemics. Specifically, a new report titled Toward Shared Stewardship across Landscapes: An Outcome-based investment Strategy (PDF, 3.7 MB) outlines the USFS’s plans to work more closely with states to identify landscape-scale priorities for targeted treatments in …
Benefits of Sustainably Harvesting Non-timber Forest Products
A new report by USDA Forest Service researchers provides science-based information to help decision-makers, practitioners, and researchers to promote the sustainable harvest of non-timber forest products. The Assessment of Nontimber Forest Products in the United States Under Changing Conditions synthesizes the best available science for managing non-timber forest resources in the U.S. “Many private landowners harvest non-timber products to generate income from …
Enjoy the Great Outdoors This Summer: Maybe Even a Florida Forest
Feel an itch to see the “Real Florida?” Summer is just about here, so you can take the kids to theme parks, but the Sunshine State offers much more, if you want to venture outdoors. You might even try a forest. With the start of ecotourism season, visitors to Florida can explore everything from vineyards to farms to scenic trails. …
Agri View: Our Changing Face
Everett Griner talks about how our world is changing face for the population growth in today’s Agri View. Our Changing Face It is a question that has troubled a lot of people. As the world population continues to grow, will there be enough land to grow enough food in the foreseeable future? Yes. Geologist have been studying the problem for …
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 …
UF Study: Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes Abound in Deforested Lands
Most disease-transmitting mosquito species live in deforested areas, a finding that may influence decisions on where and when to cut down trees, a new University of Florida study shows. Deforestation occurs when people remove trees to make way for neighborhoods, farms, shopping centers, and other land uses, said Nathan Burkett-Cadena, a UF/IFAS entomologist and lead author of the study. For …
Tools to Navigate Nation’s Parks and Forests
Exploring national parks and forests is a timeless adventure, offering a blend of natural beauty, wildlife encounters, and the thrill of the great outdoors. In the digital age, various tech tools have emerged to enhance this experience, making it safer, more enjoyable, and accessible. This article delves into the best tech tools for navigating these natural wonders, with a special …
Southeast Landowners Continue to Restore Longleaf Forests
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service continues to work with agricultural producers and conservation partners to restore longleaf forests through the Longleaf Pine Initiative (LLPI), a program that was launched back in 2010. NRCS Associate Chief for Conservation, Leonard Jordan, says NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to producers, helping them implement a variety of conservation practices. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester …