Improving, Restoring, and Managing Natural Resources on Rural Properties in Florida: Sources of Financial Assistance

small farm in North Florida, sky, clouds, barn, cows,  beef cattle, trees, grass, pasture. UF/IFAS Photo: Thomas Wright.

Interested in conserving natural resources, such as wildlife habitat, or protecting the agricultural heritage of your land? Both federal and state governments have technical and financial assistance programs to help rural landowners achieve natural resource goals. These challenges are addressed through land rentals, technical assistance, cost-shares, and incentive payments and include both time-limited and permanent land-use options.

This 8-page fact sheet written by Chris Demers, Martin B. Main and Mark E. Hostetler and published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation informs landowners about government programs available to help conserve natural resources.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr156

Conservation Subdivision: Post-construction Phase: Policy Directions and the Importance of Assessing Stakeholder Opinions

Figure 1. A dragonfly using an urban habitat patch in Gainesville, FL.Simply designating open space in a development is not enough to provide long-term protection for a variety of wildlife. New policies need to be developed that encourage developers of conservation developments to adopt long-term management practices that support biodiversity conservation. This 5-page fact sheet discusses policy options that could be used to support conservation management practices and reports on a survey of Colorado landowners who have created conservation developments and their opinions about a policy option to support the implementation of management practices. Written by Daniel Feinberg and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, December 2014. (Photo credit: Daniel Feinberg)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw401

Conserving Urban Wildlife in the Face of Climate Change

Figure 1.  Algal blooms in the St. Johns River, Florida. Runoff from nearby lawns and agricultural areas can carry excessive fertilizer to water bodies and create algal blooms. Credit: Bill Yates, CYPIX (courtesy of Pierce Jones)Virtually all climatologists agree that humans are increasing the rate of the Earth’s warming by releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. But you might be surprised to learn that houses and residential neighborhoods are sources greenhouse gases of carbon because everything in a house that runs on electricity or gas is often derived from burning fossil fuels. This 4-page fact sheet describes the connections between climate change, wildlife, and human neighborhoods and presents several ways for residents to live more sustainably. Written by Daniel Feinberg and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, September 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw381

Conservation Subdivision: Post-construction Phase–Engaging Residents (WEC334/UW379)

Figure 1.  A white ibis on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. Credit: Daniel FeinbergAs urban communities grow, design and management strategies for new developments become critical factors that determine impacts on natural resources. How can we accommodate growth yet conserve natural resources, such as biodiversity, water, and energy? In this document, we focus on conserving biodiversity when land is subdivided, constructed, and occupied. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Daniel Feinberg and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, June 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw379

Conservation Subdivision: Post-construction Phase – Urban Trees Can Reduce Household Carbon Footprint (WEC321/UW366)

Figure 1. A young tree planted in front of a new home in Gainesville, FL, that in the future will store and sequester carbon and reduce carbon emissions by shading the home.During the post-construction phase, the conservation and planting of native trees in individual yards and open spaces can reduce household and neighborhood carbon footprints. This 5-page fact sheet discusses the importance of urban trees and their role in mitigating for climate change by avoiding carbon emissions and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Written by Richard Vaughn, Mark Hostetler, and Francisco Escobedo, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw366

Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase: Low Impact Development (LID) and Stormwater Treatment (WEC319/UW364)

Figure 2. A bioretention area at SW Recreation Center, University of FloridaBecause so much area in subdivisions is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, buildings, and driveways, stormwater runoff must be accounted for and treated to prevent flooding and to remove contaminates. Often, stormwater runoff impacts surrounding landscapes and water bodies due to nutrient loading. In this 7-page fact sheet, we discuss the importance of using a more distributed stormwater treatment system that treats runoff closer to the source. Often called Low Impact Development (LID), this stormwater management approach is being used to more effectively remove pollutants from runoff. Written by Daniel Penniman, Mark Hostetler, and Glenn Acomb, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw364

Attracting Backyard Birds: Bird Feeder Selection (WEC162/UW192)

Today, more than 50 million Americans put out a billion pounds of bird food each year. Bird feeders can be used to supplement the food provided by native plantings. They also provide a way to observe birds at close range. This 8-page fact sheet suggests useful guidelines for selecting feeders, food, feeder location, cleaning feeders, and managing for cats and squirrels. Written by Emma V. Willcox, Mark E. Hostetler, Martin B. Main, and Maena Voigt, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw192

Evaluating Certified Coffee Programs (WEC306/UW351)

In recent years, there has been a growing interest among consumers to buy products that follow strict standards in their production process and that also are healthy and safe. In the case of coffee, people in the United States are not only interested in the quality and origin of coffee, but many are also concerned about the social, economic, and environmental aspects of coffee production. Coffee is taking the lead in developing standards to address these concerns. This 6-page fact sheet explains the certification process and describe the various certification programs and what they mean. Written by Gloria M. Lentijo and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw351

WEC298/UW343 Forest Remnants: Conserving and Observing Bird Diversity in Urban Settings

WEC298, a 7-page illustrated fact sheet by Dan Dawson and Mark Hostetler, discusses urban forest remnant design and management as it relates to bird conservation. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, September 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw343

WEC283/UW328 Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase – Dark-sky Lighting

WEC283, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler, discusses how to manage lighting during the construction phase and explains the importance of good lighting to biodiversity in a conservation subdivision. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, April 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw328

WEC284/UW329 Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase – Native Landscaping Palette

WEC284, a 9-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler and Martin B. Main, discusses the importance of emphasizing native plants when selecting a landscape palette. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, May 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw284

WEC278/UW323 Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase – Protecting Trees and Conserved Natural Areas

WEC278, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler and Glenn Acomb, discusses techniques and strategies that minimize impacts of the construction process on conserved trees and natural areas. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, March 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw323

WEC280/UW325 Conservation Subdivision: Design Phase – Wildlife-friendly Transportation Network

WEC280, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler and Michael Moulton, discusses road designs and placement strategies that will minimize impacts on local wildlife populations and enhance wildlife movement. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, May 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw325

WEC281/UW326 Conservation Subdivision: Design Phase: Wetland Considerations

WEC281, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler, discusses issues surrounding on-site protection of wetlands and strategies to create wetlands that conserve biodiversity when land is subdivided. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, March 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw326

4HWLL30/4H289 Bluebirds and Other Cavity-Nesting Birds: Leader’s Guide

4HWLL30, a 40-page illustrated guide by Loretta Rodriguez, Jessica Kochert, Joy Jordan, Christina Packard, and Mark Hostetler, provides group leaders additional information and group activities to support a bluebird project (4HWLM20). The guide includes ready-to-use skill-a-thon resource materials and facilitator tips for each activity. Includes references. Published by the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program, January 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h289

WEC276/UW321 Conservation Subdivision: Design Phase – Location of Conserved Open Spaces

WEC276, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler, focuses on decisions made in the design phase — what percentage of the site will be conserved as open space and where to locate it so as to maximize biodiversity values. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, December 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw321

WEC275/UW320 Conservation Subdivision: Design Phase – Patch Size and Shape of Conserved Open Spaces

WEC275, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler and Hal Knowles, III, focuses on conserving biodiversity of native species when land is subdivided. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, December 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw320

SSFOR23/FR156 Improving, Restoring, and Managing Natural Resources on Rural Properties in Florida: Sources of Financial Assistance

Revised! SS-FOR-23, an 11-page fact sheet by Chris Demers, Martin B. Main and Mark E. Hostetler, inform landowners about government programs available to help conserve natural resources. Includes references. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FR156

WEC240/UW263 Making Your Community Green: Community-Based Social Marketing for EcoFriendly Communities

WEC-240, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Krystal K. Noiseux and Mark E. Hostetler, provides information and strategies for motivated homeowners to engage their neighbors to address local environmental issues. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, November 2007.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW263