Forest Stewardship Active Way Down South

The senior forester of the Division of Forestry for Myakka district (Manatee, Hardee, Sarasota, Desoto, and Charlotte counties) is excited about the Forest Stewardship Program and is actively promoting it. We wish him success in his efforts to interest landowners in that district--and adjoining counties--in the Stewardship Program. Only about 33 Forest Stewardship properties--around 11% of total Florida Forest Stewardship Program acres and 5% of the landowners--are located in the 24 counties south of Orange county. Yet, according to the US Forest Service publication, "Forest Statistics for Florida, 1995", those counties have about 23% of the private, non-industrial timberland in our state.

Although opportunities for timber production diminish as one moves into the southern part of our state, timber may be an attractive option on some southern Florida holdings. Many forest landowners manage mainly for wildlife, recreation, aesthetics, or grazing. For them, timber production is at best a secondary objective. Many such landowners can benefit from technical advise offered by the Forest Stewardship Program. The Program has much to offer landowners in central and south Florida and much to learn from them. It welcomes opportunities to work with more of them.

For More Information about the Stewardship Program in the Myakka District contact:

Mr. Mike Eisenhart, Senior Forester
941-751-7629