Commissioner Putnam Encourages Floridians to Explore State Forests During State Forest Awareness Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Aaron Keller
Oct. 7, 2015	(850) 617-7737 Twitter:@FDACSNews
Commissioner Putnam Encourages Floridians to Explore State Forests During State Forest Awareness Month TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, encourage Floridians and visitors to explore any one of the state’s 37 state forests this October, State Forest Awareness Month. “The Florida Forest Service boasts more than 1 million acres of pristine and diverse state forest land,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to hike, bike, horseback ride, kayak or just explore Florida’s beautiful landscape this month during State Forest Awareness Month.” The following are a few examples of the treasures that can be found in Florida’s state forests during State Forest Awareness Month: ·         At Tate’s Hell State Forest in Carrabelle, visitors can view a unique stand of dwarf cypress trees that are more than 150 years old but only reach a mature height of 15 feet.  ·         Withlacoochee State Forest in Brooksville was declared as one of the “10 Coolest Places You’ve Never Been in North America” by the World Wildlife Fund and is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to activities like hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and canoeing, Withlacoochee State Forest offers 2,600 acres of off-road facilities for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. ·         At Lake Wales Ridge State Forest near Frostproof, visitors will find one of the highest concentrations of rare and endangered plants in the continental United States. This includes endangered species such as the scrub jay and the sand skink, and rare plants such as the pygmy fringe tree, scrub plum, bear grass and more. The Florida Forest Service manages state forests that offer visitors opportunity for space, solitude, self-reliance and fun. Planning an outdoor adventure is a great way to involve the whole family. To view local State Forest Awareness Month events, visit the Forestry Events Calendar athttp://bit.ly/1m0EtWs. The Florida Forest Service manages more than 1 million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire. For more information about the Florida Forest Service, visitFreshFromFlorida.com. ###

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