About the Florida Forest Service
Florida Forest Service
3125 Conner Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1650
Telephone: 850/ 488-4274
FAX: 850/ 922-6855
James R. Karels,
Director |
The mission of the Florida Forest Service is to protect Florida and its people from the dangers of wildland fire and manage the forest resources through a stewardship ethic to assure they are available for future generations. Our core program areas are: Wildfire Prevention, Detection and Suppression, State Land Management, and Forestry Technical Assistance.
Find out the many services and programs that are provided to landowners through your local county forester including cost-share programs. County Foresters also assist with services such as disease and pest problems, tree identification, and City/County ordinance information.
The Florida Forest Service has divided the state into 15 field units, with our State Office located in Tallahassee, FL. The Forest Service’s forestry programs are implemented by its Field Operations staff within these field units. The field units are grouped into four regions, each under a Deputy Chief of field operations. The multi-functional workforce of personnel and equipment provides a more responsive and comprehensive approach to land management and wildfire control statewide.
Administers programs such as Forest Stewardship, Tree City USA, Silviculture Best Management Practices, and Florida Endangered and Threatened Plant Conservation. Oversees management of the state forest system in Florida, coordinates acquisition of new state forests and produces bareroot pine seedlings at its Andrews Nursery.
Administers programs including Firewise Communities, Wildfire Mitigation Teams, Cooperative Fire Assistance, as well as providing the fire danger rating system. Provides technical assistance with prescribed burning, and leads in wildfire suppression.
Forest Logistics and Support Services Bureau
Helps the Florida Forest Service accomplish its mission by planning the direction and providing the support tools required for quality public service. Planning includes strategic, operational, and long range efforts to achieve desired goals. Support comes in the form of providing facilities, vehicles and heavy equipment, and information technology that meets our performance needs.
Provides needed training to the public and private sector in forest resource management, prescribed fire, and wildfire management. The main campus is in the Withlacoochee State Forest, near Brooksville, while the second campus is located in the Welaka State Forest located near Palatka.
Other
A non-profit organization created as a vehicle for supplying information to the public about woods arson. The Association also acquires funds and distributes rewards for information about incidents of this senseless crime.
A direct-support organization to help the Florida Forest Service (FFS) with its forest management needs through individual memberships and business partnerships.
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