Florida Forest Service - Myakka River District

Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service announced that $6.3 million is now available to Florida landowners through two cost-share programs to support the state's forests.

Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/2bdemsjz

FFS personnel will be helping with a 43 acre Rx burn on the San Pedro Island State Park today. Rx burns are controlled fires used to safely reduce built-up vegetation (fuel), restore fire-dependent ecosystems, and enhance wildlife habitat.

📝 Application window remains open for 2024 Florida Forestry Teachers Tour 📝
There is still time for educators across the state to apply for this summer’s Florida Forestry Teachers Tour. Applications will be accepted through Friday, March 1. This year’s free annual tour is scheduled for June 18-21, 2024.
The Florida Forestry Teachers Tour is designed to provide educators with an opportunity to learn how the forest industry meets the needs of Florida’s communities and the environment, which includes conservation practices and efforts established to keep our state’s forests healthy, renewable, and sustainable for future generations.
“Getting to know these forestry workers and their profession will change their outlook on this industry and Florida agriculture in general,” said Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan.
The four-day event also earns Florida teachers 30 Continuing Education Units (CEU) and includes all aspects of forestry practices. Attendees will visit tree farms to see tree planting and harvesting, then tour a local lumber mill to learn how various wood products are made, plus an assortment of other activities and tours.
Educators of all subjects and grade levels across Florida are encouraged to apply. All lodging, meals, and tour transportation are provided at no cost to teachers through the support of private partners and sponsors, including the Florida Forestry Association, Florida Project Learning Tree, and Friends of Florida State Forests.
To apply, visit FloridaStateForests.org/TeachersTour.

News from our sister district Caloosahatchee Forestry Center

The Florida Forest Service will begin dormant season prescribed burning in the coming weeks on State Forest lands throughout Florida. Dormant season prescribed burns are conducted during the winter months, when temperatures are cooler and trees are in their dormant stage. This minimizes stress on the timber while reducing heavy fuel loads.

Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health, and reduce wildfire risk. The Florida Forest Service manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests.

For more information on prescribed burning and activity in your area, visit WhyPrescribedFire.org.

Daylight hours – October 23-29, 2023.
A $2 per user fee applies for visitors over the age of 6. 6 and under are free. Go to https://floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com to pay the day-use fee. This might be the perfect time to get an annual pass.

Come for a spooky, self-guided, nature-themed ride on the new Picayune Strand State Forest bike trails. This event is for daylight hours only. Don’t worry – it’s a family event, or if you don’t have a family – it’s for people without families that want to have a little fun.

Bikers should plan on visiting the trailhead at 62nd Ave. SE and Miller Blvd. to pick up an activity sheet to review the ghoulish ride. There is a trail map of the haunted trail at the kiosk so you don’t get lost, along with a map of the longer 6 miles of trail. The Haunted Bike Ride itself is .7 miles long, and there are 7 stations scattered along the trail. Participants will fill out the activity sheet and drop the completion tab in the iron ranger (metal box) that is attached next to the kiosk on 62nd Ave. Don’t worry about completing the activity sheet on the ride, as we don’t need bikers acting like headstones by stopping and blocking the trail. There will be an information tear-off sheet that can be returned to the kiosk drop box for entry into a random drawing for fire prevention and recreation-themed prizes. Notifications for winners will be done via email.

We’d also love to have your email to update you on Picayune recreation and biking information, so if you only want to be included for information purposes, please check the information-only box.

For more information, please call (239) 690-8000.

Daylight hours – October 23-29, 2023.
A $2 per user fee applies for visitors over the age of 6. 6 and under are free. Go to https://floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com to pay the day-use fee. This might be the perfect time to get an annual pass.

Come for a spooky, self-guided, nature-themed ride on the new Picayune Strand State Forest bike trails. This event is for daylight hours only. Don’t worry – it’s a family event or if you don’t have a family – it’s for people without families that want to have a little fun.

Bikers should plan on visiting the trailhead at 62nd Ave. SE and Miller Blvd. to pick up an activity sheet to review the ghoulish ride. There is a trail map of the haunted trail at the kiosk so you don’t get lost, along with a map of the longer 6 miles of trail. The Haunted Bike Ride is .7 miles long, and are 7 stations scattered along the trail. Participants will fill out the activity sheet and drop the completion tab in the iron ranger (metal box) attached next to the kiosk on 62nd Ave. Don’t worry about completing the activity sheet on the ride, as we don’t need bikers acting like headstones by stopping and blocking the trail. There will be an information tear-off sheet that can be returned to the kiosk drop box for entry into a random drawing for fire prevention and recreation-themed prizes. Notifications for winners will be done via email.

We’d also love to have your email to update you on Picayune recreation and biking information, so if you only want to be included for information purposes, please check the information only box.

For more information, please call (239) 690-8000.