FORESTRY 411
FOREST RECOVERY ACT
If you own or manage forests for timber and want to change the tax code to ensure that decades of hard work, risk, and investments don’t result in a total loss from a natural disaster, contact your U.S. Senators and Representative today.

The Forest Recovery Act would amend the tax code to allow forest owners to deduct the full market value of their timber prior to the loss caused by natural disasters. Currently, landowners and business generally receive $0 tax deduction on the loss of their timber following a natural disaster.

Our partners at the Forest Landowners Association (FLA) are coordinating a national effort to recruit co-sponsors for this important legislation in the U.S. House and Senate.


  • If they have not done so, ask them to co-sponsor the Forest Recovery Act (S.1687/H.R. 1444). In Florida, Representatives Neal Dunn, Ted Yoho, John Rutherford, Al Lawson, and Alcee Hastings have already signed on as co-sponsors.
  • Ask that they request that Senate Finance Committee staff include the Forest Recovery Act in the next comprehensive legislative package that moves.
HURRICANE MICHAEL TIMBER RECOVERY BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
Registration for the Florida Timber Recovery Block Grant Program is available to forest landowners who suffered damage from Hurricane Michael in October 2018.

Registration is the first step toward receiving block grant funds and should only take a few minutes to complete. The deadline to register for these programs is Friday, November 20.

MASTER LOGGER COURSES ONLINE
Master Logger training has moved online!

All the information you need about program updates is located in one convenient place, on the Master Logger page of our website.

Sign up for upcoming classes. Take classes online. Register credits for courses taken outside the Association and pay the related FL-SIC dues. Click here for access to everything you need to know and do for Master Logger training.

2-day Master Logger initial training (online): October 27-28.
CLE courses (online): November 5 and December 10.

We are excited to offer the convenience of online payment and registration. Visit our Master Logger website page to learn more!
WAYNE SMITH TO BE INDUCTED INTO FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL HALL OF FAME
Congratulations to Dr. Wayne Smith, Emeritus Professor and past Director of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, UF/IFAS, for his well-deserved induction into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame!

The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on February 16, 2021.

DOUG MOORE EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies has recognized Association member Doug Moore and the South Prong Plantation in Baker County with the Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award.

South Prong Plantation is a working, multi‐use timberland operation that provides wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities and a living classroom to teach others how to be better land stewards. Moore has previously been recognized for his efforts with the Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Award in 2018.
2020 VISION MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: The Association’s “2020 Vision” membership campaign will end November 1.

The format of the campaign is simple: Participants receive one point for every dollar in dues generated from the new members they recruit. The person who has accumulated the most points on November 1 wins. There is a 500-point minimum.

Many thanks to our friends at FLAG Credit Union for providing the prize -- a $500 gift card!
CDL WAIVERS EXTENDED THROUGH DECEMBER 31
The waivers granted for expired Commercial Driver Licenses (CDLs) and expired medical certificates have been extended through December 31, 2020.

You may renew driver licenses and update medical information online. Issuance offices are also open, mostly by appointment only at this time.
CDL DRUG AND ALCOHOL CLEARINGHOUSE
Logging Industry - Have you signed up for the CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?

Employers are required to run a check on all employees prior to the close of 2020 and all drivers must be registered in order to have a check run.  Drivers and employers can learn more and register here.
WANT MORE BUCKS? 
Saving money is always a good thing!

Partnering with Outdoor Underwriters, Inc., the Association offers our members special reduced rates for liability insurance for hunting leases and timberland.
 
The Florida Land Steward Program has completed their webinar series on restoring forestland after the devastation of Hurricane Michael.

Webinar recordings, links, presentation slides, and supplemental reading material associated with this Forest Recovery Webinar Series are now available here.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 27-28, 2020
Master Logger 2-Day Course
Online

November 5, 2020
8 AM - 12 PM
Master Logger CLE
Online

November 18, 2020
Finance and Executive Committee Meetings
Association Office
Tallahassee

December 10, 2020
8 AM - 12 PM
Master Logger CLE
Online
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