FORESTRY 411
2021 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE
With only four weeks left in the 2021 legislative session, lobbyist Jim Spratt reports that several bills of significance saw movement this week and the budget process is getting underway.

This week, Association Executive Committee member and former director of the Florida Forest Service/State Forester Jim Karels testified before the House Agriculture, Environment, and Flooding Subcommittee on the importance of the proposed Right to Farm legislation to Florida forestry.

See his testimony here. (Testimony starts at 1:09:30)
USDA, PARTNERS UNVEIL NEW FIRE MAPPING TOOL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled the new Southeast FireMap, a fire mapping tool for the Southeastern United States that enables resource managers to improve their regional or local approaches to managing wildfire risk and fire management needs through targeted prescribed burns and training. Fire management helps improve forest ecosystem health, increases timber values, reduces the risk of wildfire damage to life and property, reduces ticks and other pests, protects drinking water, and renews healthy ecosystems supporting wildlife habitat, especially in fire-dependent longleaf pine forests.

The SE FireMap version 1.0 decision support tool will map all detectable fires, including managed prescribed burns and wildfires, across nine states. The map and associated tools aim to improve fire management in urban and rural communities through remote sensing and will track both prescribed fire and wildfires throughout Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
TAX TIPS FOR TIMBERLAND OWNERS: MAXIMIZING YOUR DEDUCTIONS
Treatment of income, expenses, and losses for federal income taxes is based on a staggering number of variables including how timber management activities and timber basis are classified, and tax laws are constantly being reviewed and updated.
BOSWORTH MOVES TO SWPA
Laura Bosworth, who has served as the Association's Director of Forestry and Regulatory Affairs since September 2019, will be moving to the Southeastern Wood Producers Association as its executive director. Today (April 2) is her last day with the Association.

Laura extends her appreciation to the FFA leadership, members, and fellow staff for her time at the Association. She is excited to continue working together to move forestry forward.

Please join us in wishing Laura well in this next chapter!
Many thanks to ...

Our lunch sponsors:

and our site sponsors:
Jimmy Bielling
Phillip Pritchett
Austen Roberts
Avery Roberts

... for their generosity and support!
HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR FLORIDA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP FOR 2021?
Florida Forestry Association Members – you should have received your 2021 membership renewal invoice. Not sure if you have sent in your renewal for 2021? Click here to email the Florida Forestry Association Membership Department or give Whitney Hough a call at 850.222.5646.

We have a lot of exciting things on the horizon for 2021 – you won’t want to miss out!
LET'S TALK TURKEY ABOUT REDUCED RATES
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.
 
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAY 5, 2021
10 AM EDT
Executive Committee Meeting
Location TBA

MAY 12, 2021
11:30 AM
Membership Meeting
Hal Y. Maines Community Center
Lake Butler, FL

MAY 13, 2021
8 AM-12 PM EDT
Master Logger CLE Training
Zoom

JULY 15, 2021
8 AM-12 PM EDT
Master Logger CLE Training
Zoom

JULY 29-30, 2021
Master Logger 2-Day Training
Lake City, FL

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
Annual Meeting
Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort
Panama City Beach, FL

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
4-5 PM CDT
Board Meeting
Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort
Panama City Beach, FL
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