Agenda Item Name:
Title
Recognition of Bill Black and Denise Matthews as 2022 Florida Land Stewards of the Year
End
Presenter:
Cindy Sanders, Extension Service Director
Christopher Demers, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences
Description:
Recognition of Bill Black and Denise Matthews as 2022 Florida Land Stewards of the Year
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Hear Presentation
End
Prior Board Motions:
N/A
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
N/A
End
Strategic Guide:
Environment
Background:
Bill Black and Denise Matthews purchased 80-acre Sparkleberry Farm in November 2010. Their goal was to transform the neglected stands of pine, cypress, and hardwoods into a productive and sustainable condition for timber production, recreation, and native flora and fauna. The property is now certified in the American Tree Farm System and Forest Stewardship Program.
Sparkleberry Farm is home to abundant wildlife; including gopher tortoises, deer, turkey, and quail; longleaf pine, naturally regenerated slash and loblolly pine stands, hardwood swamps, and a rich groundcover of unique and rare plants.