Florida’s forestry authorities are confident of the state’s program to expand the amount of forested acres and ensure those lands can support the natural environment and the needs of the construction industry.
About 120,000 acres of trees are replanted annually to maintain the timber resource and promote the forest cover in the state, said Jarek Nowak, forest utilization specialist at the Florida Forest Service.
This work helps offset the harvesting of trees in a way that is compatible with protecting wildlife, plants, soil and water quality, according to the Forest Service. The practice involves private and public lands, and forms part of the artificial reclamation program specifically intended to ensure sustainable forest cover.
“Barring some unforeseen circumstances, I will hope that we will continue doing the good work in Florida of maintaining our forestry resources in providing for all our ecological values, but at the same time providing for our industry with the raw materials they need,” Nowak said in an interview with the Democrat.
In 2010, forest area in Florida was 17,342,273 acres compared to 16,897,125 in 2007. Nowak explained that the forest inventory is completed every five years, so 20 percent of it is recorded annually. Based on the 40 percent new data collected in 2009 and 2010, forest area is trending upward.
From Tallahassee.com: https://www.tallahassee.com/article/20130429/BUSINESS02/130429013/State-s-total-forested-acreage-gradually-increasing?nclick_check=1