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Fla. Landowners Encouraged To Take Part In Program Deterring Devastating Forest Insect

David T. Almquist
/
University of Florida

State agriculture officials are hoping to assist North and Central Florida landowners in preventing timber loss through a program meant to reduce the risk of a devastating forest insect.

Through the end of June, the Florida Forest Service is accepting applications for the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program on their website. In the past, Southern Pine Beetle outbreaks have cost the industry millions of dollars in timber loss.

“The Southern Pine Beetle devastates forests,” said Erin Gillespie, Florida Department of Agriculture Spokeswoman. “Obviously, we work to control it on state forests, but there are also private landowners who have pine and this assistance program will help them control it.”

And, Gillespie says the program is offered for 44 counties.

“Mostly through the Panhandle, North, and North Central Florida,” she added. “And, some of the activities that the financial assistance could help would be replanting clean pine, conducting brush treatments, like controlled burns to get rid of the beetle, and also, thinning operations that would thin out the forest to control the beetle.”

Interested landowners can apply for up to $10,000 in funding. For more information, contact your local Florida Forest Service field unit.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.