Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces $2 Million Available for Second Phase of Florida’s Future Forests Program
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service announced another $2 million is now available to Florida landowners through the Florida’s Future Forests Program. In its fourth year, the program aims to improve forest health by promoting tree planting that ensures the long-term viability of Florida’s forestlands.
“Florida’s Future Forests Program is a win-win for Florida’s landowners and our state’s natural resources, and I appreciate the Florida Legislature for continued support for this program,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Private lands make up the majority of Florida’s forestlands, and these funds will help landowners reestablish forests, including sites that were damaged by recent hurricanes.”
The initial $2 million offering was released in July of 2024 to also fund future site preparation, seedlings, and planting. This program is a significant long-term investment for the state and helps maintain and conserve Florida’s forests and natural resources for future generations.
“As this winter’s tree planting season winds down, now is the perfect time for landowners to take advantage of this program to plan and prepare for future reforestation projects,” said Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan. “Forests provide clean air, clean water, habitat for wildlife, recreation, and many essential products, and we hope to continue to make these funds available to landowners early in the year to help enhance our forests.”
The Florida’s Future Forests Program is open to non-industrial, private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations. Interested applicants should contact their Florida Forest Service County Forester to initiate the application process. To learn more about the Florida’s Future Forests Program and locate your local county forester, visit FDACS.gov/FutureForests. The deadline for application submission is 3 p.m. eastern time on March 21, 2025.
Applicants may request funding for tree establishment practices on a minimum of 10 acres and up to 250 acres. Since 2021, the Florida Legislature has appropriated approximately $14 million for this program. These funds have already been used to create over 45,000 acres of healthy forests in Florida.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 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.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.