Conservation Forestry

Awareness signs

Field days

Education trails

Conservation initiatives

Cost-share assistance

Florida

Total forested acres = 16.1 million acres
Privately owned = 9.6 million acres
Industry = 1.8 million acres
Public Agency = 4.2 million acres

Below is a summary of our habitat conservation projects and educational opportunities relevant to family forest owners in Florida. In addition, you will find links to state agencies and local conservation partners that can provide further resources and information about conservation forestry

Woodland Management for the Gopher Tortoise and Other Wildlife
American Forest Foundation has partnered with the University of Florida Extension, Florida Division of Forestry, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and U.S. Forest Service to help family forest owners in Florida improve pine habitat for the state-listed gopher tortoise and other associated species in the non-listed range. Our work in Florida is an extension of previous work in Mississippi, Louisiana an Alabama on the gopher tortoise in the listed range. Read more.

Pine Ecosystem Conservation Handbook for the Gopher Tortoise in Florida:
A Guide for Family Forest Owners This comprehensive 96-page guide is written for family forest owners and foresters interested in improving pine habitat for the gopher tortoise and other wildlife species in Florida. Filled with color photographs, it provides family forest owners with practical information on management strategies, prescribed burns, invasive species, regulatory assurances for landowners, conservation incentives, technical assistance, state programs, conservation easements and wildlife species that benefit from pine ecosystem management.

Download a pdf [3.9mb] or complete an online form to receive a free printed copy.

Gopher Tortoise Habitat Conservation Apply for a sign.
Demonstration Field Days

Technical and Cost-share Assistance

The University of Florida Extension can provide management suggestions based upon current university research, information and expertise. Use the website link to locate your local county agents.
The Florida Division of Forestry provides cost-share, educational, and technical forestry services to landowners. Ph: (850) 488-6611
The Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program of the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service offers technical and financial assistance to landowners for restoration of native habitat types. Ph: (904) 232-2580, ext. 136
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has various programs for landowner assistance in habitat and species conservation. Ph: (850) 488-3831.
The Florida Natural Areas Inventory has information about rare species or ecological communities that may occur on your land and what you can do to help conserve them. Ph: (850) 224-8207.
The Florida Invasives Species Partnership helps Florida landowners find assistance in treating invasive species. Check out their Florida Invasive Species Fact Sheet.

Forest Landowner Groups
Local organizations that support the work of family forest owners:

Florida Forestry Association **this organization is also the local contact for the American Forest Foundation's Tree Farm Program.