FORESTRY 411
LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2019 BEGINS
Florida's annual legislative session began on Tuesday, March 5, with all the traditional ceremonial fanfare.

An address by Governor Ron DeSantis to the combined House and Senate rallied the legislators to be bold: " ... because while perfection is not attainable, if we aim high we can achieve excellence,” he said. 

Boldness could be required: the governor's proposed $91.3 billion budget would be the largest in state history.

The Association held its annual Forestry Day at the Capitol events. We hosted the Wedgworth Leadership Institute reception with special guest Commissioner Nikki Fried on Wednesday afternoon and participated in the Taste of Florida legislative event at the capitol that evening. On Thursday, a Board of Directors meeting was followed by member visits to their local delegations as well as a meeting with the Assistant Agriculture Commissioner Matthew Van Name. The need for hurricane relief and recovery efforts was a consistent theme throughout all the meetings. Board members John Alter and David Harrelson also represented the forest industry at a press conference announcing new proposed legislation on that issue.



FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ALERT: DISASTER FUNDING
Senate Appropriations Chair Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) are working on a bipartisan spending bill that would provide aid for those impacted by recent hurricanes and wildfires. The leaders are hoping to see movement before the coming congressional recess beginning March 16.

The House passed its own package, HR 268, in January. Shelby is said to believe that the House bill isn't broad enough or deep enough.

If the proposed Senate bill passes and the House is in agreement, it is thought that a conference deal could quickly be sent to President Trump for his signature.

Please contact U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and your U.S. House member in support of Sen. Shelby's disaster supplemental bill.  Ask them to include timber in the federal relief payments and state block grants.  Senators Rubio and Scott have both been very supportive of relief and recovery efforts, as have Representatives Neal Dunn, Al Lawson, and Ted Yoho.

For contact information for Senator Rubio and congressional representatives, click here. (Look for the envelope icon to the right if you would like to email them.)


MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
The Association's annual membership meetings check all the boxes!

Thursday, March 21
11:30 AM-1:30 AM (EST) Lunch/meeting
Nutrien
White Springs, FL
RSVP Deadline: March 10

Monday, March 25
11:30 AM-1:30 PM (EST) Lunch/meeting
Coastal Plywood Company’s Magnolia Lodge 
Quincy, FL
RSVP Deadline: March 15

Space is limited -- reserve your spot today by contacting Whitney Hough ( Whitney@ForestFla.org or 850.222.5646)!
FLORIDA FORESTRY TEACHERS’ TOUR: SPONSORS NEEDED 
The Florida Forestry Teachers’ Tour is an annual event that gives the Florida Forest Service and the forest industry the opportunity to share forestry’s story with educators from around the state. Teachers take back the information and insights they learn in this four-day hands-on experience and incorporate them into their curriculum during the school year. This year’s tour will be held June 18-21, based in Fernandina Beach, FL.

Sponsors are vital to the success of this program! Each $500 sponsorship allows one teacher to participate at no cost to him/herself beyond travel to and from Fernandina Beach. To become a sponsor, contact Christina Sabo ( Christina@ForestFla.org or 850.222.5646) or simply send your check, payable to the Florida Forestry Foundation, to P.O. Box 1696, Tallahassee, FL 32302. 

WANT TO GOBBLE UP SOME SAVINGS?
 Partnering with Outdoor Underwriters, Inc., the Association offers our members special reduced rates for liability insurance for hunting leases and timberland.
 
Click here for details  or contact Mike Branch (850.222.5646 or  Mike@ForestFla.org ).
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Thursday, March 21
11:30 AM-1:30 AM (EST)
Membership Meeting/Lunch
Nutrien
White Springs, FL

Monday, March 25
11:30 AM-1:30 PM (EST)
Membership Meeting/Lunch
Coastal Plywood Company’s Magnolia Lodge 
Quincy, FL

April 30, 2019
10 AM EST
Executive Committee Meeting
Location TBD

June 5-6, 2019
8 AM (EST)
Master Logger 2-Day Training
Lake City, FL

July 18, 2019
8 AM (CST)
Master Logger CLE Training
DeFuniak Springs, FL

August 20-22, 2019
Annual Meeting
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin, FL


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