Commissioner Nikki Fried Highlights Florida Forests Week

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Nov 1, 2021

Tallahassee, Fla. — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Forest Service, in partnership with the Florida Forestry Association, are highlighting Florida Forests Week, Oct. 31 – Nov. 6, to recognize the importance and benefits of Florida’s 17.2 million acres of forest land, which covers nearly half of the state’s landmass. Of the 17.2 million acres, 65 percent is privately owned.

“Florida’s forests are vital to our infrastructure, contributing $25 billion the state’s economy and supplying more than 124,100 jobs,” said Commissioner Fried. “Active management is the foundation of healthy forests in Florida – from carbon sequestration to clean air and water, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and raw materials for wood products used around the world. These trees benefit residents and visitors, and are the source of many of the things we enjoy and utilize every day.”

“Providing technical assistance and programs is important to actively managing and protecting Florida’s forests,” said Erin Albury, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. “Building strong partnerships with the entire industry, including landowners, site contractors, tree planters, consultants, loggers, and the mills, is the key to ensuring Florida’s forests remain healthy and available for generations to come.”

“The people of forestry in Florida have a great story to share,” said Alan Shelby, Executive Vice President of the Florida Forestry Association. “They play a valuable part in protecting our environment, bolstering our economy, and providing materials for thousands of items we use every day. We are proud to recognize the many benefits our forests offer.”

Florida Forests Week (formerly Working Forests Week) was developed in 2015 in partnership with the Florida Forestry Association and is celebrated annually. For more information and educational resources, visit FDACS.gov/FLForestService or FLForestry.org.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), manages more than one 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.

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