Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner    -    James R. Karels, Director
State Forests:
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 Recreation Guide to Florida's State Forests (pdf, 5M)
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Friends of Florida State Forests, Inc
Take an active role in protecting forests for future generations with the Friends of Florida State Forests


Wetland restoration is an integral part of the Division of Forestry’s management of state forest resources. Find out more about these projects in the Hydrological Restoration Activity Report.





 
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State Forests in Florida

The Florida Division of Forestry has guided the operation of state forests for nearly 80 years. It is our primary mission, while managing these lands, to protect and maintain the biological diversity of the many ecosystems found in and around the state forests while integrating public use of the resources. Through sound forest management practices, the Division of Forestry is able to maintain the integrity of the forest environment while providing for the state's future natural resource needs.
Map of State Forests locations in Florida Blackwater River State Forest Cary State Forest Etoniah Creek State Forest Goethe State Forest Jennings State Forest Lake George State Forest Lake Talquin State Forest Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest Myakka State Forest Little Big Econ State Forest Picayune Strand State Forest Charles H. Bronson State Forest Pine Log State Forest Point Washington State Forest Ralph E. Simmons State Forest Tiger Bay State Forest Seminole State Forest Tate's Hell State Forest Twin rivers State Forest Big Shoals State Forest John M. Bethea State Forest Deep Creek State Forest (no public access) Watson Island State Forest (no public access) Welaka State Forest Withlacoochee State Forest Holopaw State Forest (no public access) Belmore State Forest Carl Duval Moore State Forest Four Creeks State Forest Cottage Hill State Forest Wakulla State Forest Matanzas State Forest Ross Prairie State Forest Indian Lake State Forest

State Forest Websites and Contacts

1. Belmore + 13. Indian Lake + 25. Point Washington
2. Big Shoals 14. Jennings 26. Ralph E. Simmons
3. Blackwater River 15. John Bethea + 27. Ross Prairie +
4. Carl Duval Moore + 16. Lake George 28. Seminole
5. Cary 17. Lake Talquin 29. Tate's Hell
6. Charles H. Bronson + 18. Lake Wales Ridge 30. Tiger Bay
7. Cottage Hill + 19. Little-Big Econ 31. Twin Rivers
8. Deep Creek* + 20. Matanzas 32. Wakulla
9. Etoniah Creek 21. Myakka 33. Watson Island * +
10. Four Creeks + 22. Okaloacoochee Slough 34. Welaka
11. Goethe 23. Picayune Strand 35. Withlacoochee
12. Holopaw * + 24. Pine Log  
* no public access
+ links to field unit contact information


History of Florida's State Forests

prescribed burn.
The Division of Forestry's prescribed burn program enhances the habitat of fauna and flora by controlling the hardwoods and underbrush that can replace native species living on the forest. Prescribed fire also helps prevent uncontrolled wildfires.
Florida ’s state forest system began in the mid 1930’s with the establishment of Cary and Pine Log State Forests. These state forests were the outcome of a federal work program called the Civilian Conservation Corps. The mission of the C.C.C. was to put young men to work in conservation jobs during the time of the great depression. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, two additional state forests were added, Blackwater River State Forest and Withlacoochee State Forest. These four state forests comprised the Florida state forest system until the late 1970’s.

In the late 1970s, Florida began aggressively purchasing land for future generations from which more state forests were created. The focus on land management shifted from simply management of timber and wildlife resources to a multiple land use management ethic which includes conservation of natural and cultural resources, wildlife management, protection of water resources, and outdoor recreation.

Since its humble beginnings in 1936 of one state forest with 6,000 acres, Florida ’s state forest system has grown to include 35 state forests and the management of over one million acres of forest lands.
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Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services