A Forest Management Partnership Guide for Florida Landowners

Florida Forests

What do you see when you look at a forest?

A refuge? A home site? A place for recreation? A habitat for wildlife? A commercial industry?

Whether you see it or not, forests play an essential role in your daily life. Forests provide clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, and thousands of useful products. The water you drink has most likely been filtered through a forest.

A Healthy Environment Grows a Healthy Economy.

In Florida, forests cover more than 14.5 million acres - almost half the land area. Keeping forests healthy and productive isn't just good for the environment - it's good for the economy. The state's forests and forest products industries have a total annual economic impact of $16.5 billion, including 133,000 jobs.

Management is key.

Keeping Florida's forests healthy and productive is a giant responsibility. Constant care and management are essential. State and federal government, the forest industries, and more than 300,000 private landowners are the primary stewards. More than 82 million trees are planted each year in Florida - five planted for each one cut.

Any questions? Ask a forester.

If you have questions about tree identification, tree diseases, pests and insects, or fire prevention, ask a Florida Forester. Foresters also know about local ordinances regarding burning debris, water quality, and tree cutting and removal.

Who Owns Florida's Forests?

More than 300,000 private landowners own half of Florida's forest lands, including more than 200,000 Floridians who own less than 9 timbered acres.

State and national forests make up 19 percent of Florida's forest lands, with 33 state forests (1.03 million acres), and three national forests (2.8 million acres).

Florida's northwest Panhandle region is home to 80 percent of the state's forest land.

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