Situational Data Summary Example

Sustaining Forests in an Urbanizing State

Critical Issues:

• Building public support for Florida's forest resources
• Improving management and conservation of forest resources
• Reducing deforestation and forest fragmentation
• Restoring and maintaining the health of urban forests

Florida's Situation:

• 14.4 million acres forest land are rapidly diminishing as State becomes urbanized.
• Florida is losing 40,000 acres per year to land development and deforestation.
• Remaining forests provide ecological services and $10 billion industry.
• Forest fragmentation has resulted in 15% reduction in tracts 100-499 acres and 9% reduction in 500-1,000 acres (in last 15 years).
• Converted lands become the urban forest which can provide many benefits such as clean water, recreation, energy conservation, and wildlife.
• Educational programs need to address sustaining these rural and urban forests.

Goal:

To sustain health, and manage and conserve forests in Florida.

Potential Audiences:

Urban and rural citizens; youth; forest landowners; urban and rural natural resource professionals; formal and non-formal educators; media; builders and developers; policy-makers.

Summarized Needs:

• A better public understanding of the importance of Florida's forests and the issues associated with forests.
• Sustainable forest management information for landowners including regeneration methods, ecological principles, and financial decision-making.
• An increased knowledge base on sustainable forest management for natural resource professionals (For example, GIS technologies and endangered species management).
• Information about landscape-level management techniques, approaches, and cooperative partnerships.
• Information and methodology for restoring and maintaining the health of urban forests.

Contact:

Mary Duryea
School of Forest Resources and Conservation
Box 110410
Gainesville, 32611-0410

Tel: 352-846-0896
Fax: 352-846-1277
E-mail: mld@ifas.ufl.edu

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