Volume 4, No. 1                                                                                                                                   Summer, 1996

Stewardship Landowner of the Year -- Where Are You?

During the past six years, over 700 Florida landowners have received forest stewardship management plans. Almost 75 of them have attained the Stewardship Forest certification in recognition of their devotion of time, effort, and funds to following their plans and improving their lands.

Now, we are looking for the Stewardship Forest landowner who has made the extra effort above and beyond what is needed for certification. We want to recognize this landowner as Florida's 1996 Stewardship Forest Landowner of the Year .

What does it take to be eligible for this honor? If any (or all) of the following statements sound like what you have been doing on your property, you may be the landowner we are looking for.

* You undertake management activities that improve timber growth, wildlife habitat, conservation of soil and water, recreation, aesthetics, and (as applicable) grazing forage.
*You have made significant improvements, as outlined above, to your property since you began your Stewardship management program.
*You perform much of the forest management work on the property yourself.
*You have promoted the Forest Stewardship Program and encouraged other landowners to follow a stewardship land ethic .

The landowner who earns this honor will be recognized with a ceremony and presented with a special plaque and sign. The winner will also receive a piece of equipment, such as a chain saw, that would come in handy on most forest properties.

If you are interested in becoming the 1996 Stewardship Landowner of the Year, or if you know of a landowner who deserves this honor, contact your local County Forester, Resource Biologist, Cooperative Extension Director, or natural resource consultant. The deadline for nominations is August 31. One Landowner of the Year will be selected from each of the five Stewardship Program regions, and the Florida statewide winner will be chosen from among those five.