By Katrina Koning Contributor
The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) is celebrating 100 years with a Centennial Challenge campaign, honoring the work of the association in providing a unified voice for state and private forestry in the United States since 1920, as well as the tremendous social, environmental and economic contributions state forestry agencies have made nationwide for over a century's time.
In celebration of the NASF's 100th anniversary, the Florida Forest Service is recognizing 100 forest landowners from across the state who have exemplified exceptional forest management practices, public outreach and conservation efforts.
"We want to thank Bob McGranahan of RFM Farms for their stewardship and maintaining the integrity of Florida's forestlands, ensuring they will be available for future generations," said Katrina Koning, Florida Forest Service County Forester for Suwannee County. The McGranahan property is owned by Bob and Frances McGranahan, consisting of three tracts totaling 1,801 acres. The primary management objectives of this property are timber production, grazing and wildlife management. Current recreational use of the property includes hunting and wildlife viewing. The McGranahans regularly participate in public outreach and conservation efforts by providing tours of their property. It should be noted that this forest is certified to standards and guidelines set forth by both the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) and the Florida Forest Service's Forest Stewardship Program (FSP).
The National Association of State Foresters is a non-profit organization composed of the directors of forestry agencies in the 50 states, U.S. territories and District of Columbia. Their members manage and protect state and private forests, which encompass nearly two-thirds of America's forests. Learn more at NASF100.org.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 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.