Tall Timbers wants to partner with private landowners to improve habitat in St. Marks and Aucilla River watersheds. The research and land conservancy group is offering reimbursements up to 75% for those who participate. Peter Kleinhenz works for Tall Timbers. He says providing this incentive helps everyone.
"Let's say there's an invasive plant infestation that's along the side of the road. Well, we can spray that and control for that as much as we want, but if that adjacent landowner isn't also doing that, the invasives are going to continue to invade. So, again, it takes all of us working in tandem to chip away at these problems," Kleinhenz says.
Tall Timbers received more than $7 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. From that pot, more than $500,000 will go towards reimbursing private landowners who do certain activities. That includes prescribed burns, getting rid of invasive plants, and planting longleaf pine trees.
"All things that are going to benefit again, wildlife habitat and water quality and this region," Kleinhenz says.
Kleinhenz says it's the first time Tall Timbers is offering this kind of financial assistance. The deadline to apply for reimbursement is September 1. Those interested in learning more can contact Tall Timbers.
