Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces $2 Million Available to Florida Landowners to Improve Forest Health

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service announced $2 million is now available to Florida landowners through the Florida's Future Forests Program to improve forest health. In its fourth year, the program offers landowners cost-share opportunities to help enhance the capacity of Florida's forests, which provide clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, and thousands of essential products.

"A majority of our state's forests are privately owned so Florida landowners are key to maintaining and conserving our forests and natural resources for future generations," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "This important program helps landowners offset the initial cost of site preparation, seedlings, and the planting of seedlings."

The Florida's Future Forests Program is open to non-industrial, private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations. To obtain an application and learn more about the Florida's Future Forests Program, visit FDACS.gov/FutureForests.

"Forests are valuable natural resources and a great long-term investment for the state," said Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan. "Trees remove carbon dioxide emissions as well as produce oxygen, contribute to clean water, and provide homes for wildlife."

Applicants may request funding for tree establishment practices on a minimum of 10 acres and up to 250 acres. Since 2021, the Florida Legislature has appropriated approximately $14 million for this program. These funds have already been used to create 26,000 acres of healthy forests in Florida.

The Florida Legislature funded the program with a total of $4 million this fiscal year. In addition to the initial $2 million offering, an additional $2 million will be released later this fiscal year to fund future site preparation and planting.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland, and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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