Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Agriculture & Natural Resources Programs for October, 2014. These programs are being offered by Barton Wilder, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent, at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville) unless otherwise indicated.

Florida’s Certified Pile Burner Program – October 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Waccasassa Forestry Center (5353 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville)

The Florida Forest Service and University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service will be conducting a Certified Pile Burners Course. This course will show how to burn piles legally, safely and efficiently. Most importantly, it could save a life. If residents burn piles regularly, they should not put off registering for this training. When the weather is dry, certified pile burners will receive priority for authorization to burn. Also certified pile burners are allowed to burn up to two hours longer per day and get multiple day authorizations.

The registration fee is $50.00 (includes lunch). Registration is required to attend and class size is limited. For more information and to register, please call 352-955-2402.

Forest Stewardship/North Central FL CISMA Workshop: Invasive Exotic Species & Management – October 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the UF Austin Cary Forest Learning Center (10625 NE Waldo Road, Gainesville)

Many exotic plants are invasive weeds that form expanding population on the landscape, making land management a challenge. Some exotic animals have also become a program for land managers. This program will describe some of the more common and troublesome invasive exotic plants and animals in North-Central Florida.

3 Core CEUs will be available and also 3 CEUs in the following categories will be offered: Forest, Natural Areas, Private Applicator, and Right of Way.

Full day registration fee is $15.00 (includes lunch). Please register online.

Florida Master Naturalist Program Freshwater Wetlands Module – October 22 through November 19, 2014

The Freshwater Wetlands Module provides instruction on the general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife, and conservation issues of freshwater wetlands in Florida: marshes, swamps, and permanent wetlands (lakes, rivers, springs, and streams). The program also addresses society’s role in wetlands, develops naturalist interpretation skills, and discusses environmental ethics.

The Module is 40 hours and includes classroom presentations, discussions, videos, field trips, and practical experience in interpretation. Students receive detailed course manuals and, upon completion, certificate of achievement, patch and pin, and registration in the online student database.

Students who complete all three Modules are designated Florida Master Naturalists and receive a plaque and special recognition in an online database.

This program consists of 11 classes that will begin on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 and continue through November 19, 2014. Participants must attend at least 10 classes in order to receive the certificate of completion. All classes (except for the field trips) will be held at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office (2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville), from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., under the instruction of Barton Wilder, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent.

The cost is $225.00 and registration deadline is October 20, 2014. Class size is limited to 20 participants.

Click for more information regarding class schedules and registration. For additional questions, please contact Barton Wilder, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office, at 352-955-2402.

Rural Energy Workshop – October 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Learn about sustainable energy sources for farms and homes.

Cost to attend this class is $5.00.

Please pre-register at least 3 days prior to class by calling 352-337-6209 (voicemail).

For more information about these programs call 352-955-2402. Visit the Extension Office calendar for additional programs offered by the Extension Office.

An Equal Opportunity Institution. Extension Service, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Nick T. Place, Dean. Single copies of Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county Extension offices. Information about alternate formats is available from IFAS Communications, University of Florida, PO Box 110810, Gainesville, FL 32611-0810.​