Ken Weber, Department of Agriculture Forestry Center Manager, Donates $39,000 to Wakulla School Superintendent

When not busy putting out Florida’s Bugaboo fire, the Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry, is providing educational opportunities for Florida’s students.  Ken Weber, Department of Agriculture Forestry Center Manager, presented a $39,000 check to School Board Chairman, Jerry Evans, at the May School Board Meeting.  The monies, generated from the Wakulla State Forest, will be used to provide additional educational opportunities for Wakulla’s students.  (Pictured: Ken Weber, Department of Agriculture and Jerry Evans, School Board Chairman)

{sidebar id=1}Last year more than 450 Wakulla students visited the Bear Creek Educational Forest, a 492-acre tract of Lake Talquin State Forest. Students learn about fire management, photosynthesis, forest products, tree identification, decomposition and even become forester for a day.  Wakulla School Superintendent David Miller appreciates the partnership the school system has with the forestry division.  He notes, “Our students learn first-hand by visiting living labs the importance of conservation and the management of our natural resources.  These additional funds will be used to help ensure our forest resources are available for future generations.”

During his presentation Ken Weber explained that the Department of Agriculture believes in programs that benefits kids.  He said, “Learning about the forest eco-system is important for today and tomorrow.”  By Florida Statute 589, the Forestry Division returns 15% of revenues generated from timber sales to the county.  Pine trees are generally planted thick to generate fiber production.  In an effort to reduce competition among trees and create a healthy forest the Department of Agriculture thins trees on State property.  The profits received from the cutting are used partially to create educational opportunities for Wakulla students.  County foresters educate through experiences such as Arbor Day, Smoky the Bear, Fire prevention, Soil digs and field trips.

This article originally published on May 22, 2007.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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