Wiregrass Ecological Associates (WEA) Forester Alex Harvey was recently featured on the 97^th episode of the Blood Origins Podcast. The Blood Origins podcast uses unique storytelling to raise awareness for conservation and change how hunting is viewed. Episodes encompass all aspects of hunting and conservation, featuring guests like Weatherby Award Winner Enrique Zamacola, Matt Drury (Drury Outdoors), and Cuz Strickland (Mossy Oak).

Blood Origins host Robbie Kroger and Mr. Harvey met in our Gulfport, Mississippi office to chat about humanizing hunting and the current stereotypes that come with being a hunter. Mr. Harvey encourages those to break the mold on what it means to be and look like a hunter, emphasizing that any and everyone can be a hunter no matter who you are or where you come from. The podcast can be found on Audible or Apple Podcasts and by clicking the link here: Episode 97 – On Humanizing Hunting

Mr. Harvey holds a BS degree from Mississippi State University in Forestry (with a Wildlife Management concentration) and has over 15 years of experience working in the public agency, non-profit, and private forestry sectors. He is a Registered Forester and USDA Forestry Technical Service Provider in Alabama and Mississippi.

 

Wiregrass Ecological Associates (WEA) recently instructed students during the 2021 Florida Master Logger Workshop in Lake City, Florida.  This 2-day initial training workshop is sponsored by the Florida Forestry Association and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) State Implementation Committee (SIC).  Loggers earn their Florida Master Logger certification by completing this workshop which includes modules on safety, business management, and environmental regulations.  George Fullerton, WEA Senior Biologist, presented about logging considerations for imperiled species in Florida.  His program discussed the history and status of environmental regulations in US and Florida, detailed descriptions of imperiled plant and animal species and critical habitats in Florida, best management practices and regulations for interacting with these species and their habitats, potential future listings and legal challenges, and the value of logger’s efforts towards biodiversity and conservation.  This opportunity to address loggers is valuable because the SFI Principles call upon every program participant to meet market demands while complying with applicable laws and agreeing to use environmentally responsible practices that promote the protection of biodiversity, wildlife, plants, soil, water, and air quality.  WEA has presented environmental modules during this Master Logger training workshop since 2016.

 

The FFA administers the Master Logger program for the Florida SFI-SIC. The program is designed to enhance the professionalism of loggers through training in safety, timber harvesting, business, and environmental regulations. Following initial training, Master Loggers must complete Continued Logging Education (CLE) credits annually  to maintain their certification.

https://www.flforestry.org/programs/master-logger/

 

John Dooner (SFC Partner) and Austin Carroll (WEA President and SFC Partner) joined the University of Florida School of Forest Resources and Conservation’s Integrated Natural Resource Management class as guest lecturers for the second consecutive year. Focusing on Wildlife Management and Environmental Considerations on Private Lands in Florida, Mr. Dooner and Mr. Carroll discussed the complexities of managing for multiple objectives on industrial and non-industrial land holdings in the Southeast.  The focal points of the discussion included common silvicultural practices to achieve recreational and financial objectives and the importance of adaptive management when considering the long-term sustainability of multiple resources. The lecture concluded with a brief review of available wildlife management funding sources and a question/answer session.  UF students asked questions on topics ranging from how to evaluate emerging ecosystem services markets (e.g. carbon) to landowner conservation easement considerations.  SFC and WEA are proud to provide practical, real-world insights and scenarios to the next generation of natural resource managers.

 

 

Southern Forestry Consultants (SFC) is excited to announce that Ashley Farms, owned by Don Ashley and Theo Meadows, has been recognized as the 2020 Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year.  This award is presented annually by the Florida Tree Farm Program, a non-profit organization, and the state affiliate of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS).  Our SFC team in Monticello, Florida assists Ashley Farms with forest and wildlife management, a relationship maintained for over 25 years.

SFC Vice-President, Dave Lewis, began working with Mr. Ashley’s and Mrs. Meadows’ parents in the early nineties and attributes a great deal of the success at Ashley Farms to the family’s willingness to adapt.  From local shifts in weather patterns to global influences on forest product markets and anything in between, the determination to “make the best of things” is unwavering.

Dave characterizes the resolve and adaptive approach of Ashley Farms in his comments that, “Regardless of the next management challenge, Don and Theo are always ready to tackle any obstacle with a solution-focused mindset.”

Ashley Farms has experienced quite the transition over the last four decades from a shade tobacco farm to a diverse property focused on striking a balance between timber production, wildlife habitat, and row crop production.  These efforts also led to Ashley Farm’s recognition as the Florida State Forest Stewardship Landowner of the Year in 2007.  While recognition as the Florida Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year may be the culmination of efforts focused on maintaining this sustainable, multi-use farm, Ashley Farms is excited to continue and improve for years to come.

SFC and WEA are fortunate to work with outstanding landowners who are committed to sustainable management.  As a result, Ashley Farms is our fifth client since 2010 selected as the Florida Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year.

For more information on Ashley Farms and their award, please visit the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences announcement.