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Plum Creek Florida
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FEATURE ARTICLE
The Many Benefits of Forestry
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Carbon released in the burning of biomass is recycled through the atmosphere and re-absorbed by growing plants and trees in a natural cycle. |
Nearly 16 million acres of Florida forests are managed for timber production and Plum Creek is pleased to be a part of this important industry in the state. Our sustainable forests support a diverse forest products industry that provides jobs, healthy forests, environmentally friendly products, biomass for energy and other environmental benefits.
The economics of forestry traditionally favors the growth of large trees to produce high value products, like lumber for homes and furniture. So forest owners will always be motivated to grow large trees where strong markets exist for those higher value products.
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RECREATION
Plum Creek Lands Home to Historic Florida Trails |
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Home to some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery and majestic wildlife, Florida is a hiker’s paradise. With nearly 600,000 acres of timberland throughout Florida, Plum Creek recognizes that there’s a lot to appreciate and discover on our lands. That’s why we work closely with many groups that are dedicated to protecting the natural beauty of our state. |
Plum Creek is the first and only private landowner to own a part of the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) – a series of designated hiking areas along a 1,400-mile path known as The Florida Trail that stretches all the way from the Panhandle to Southern Florida.
In 2003, a 17.6-mile segment of the trail that runs through Plum Creek property in the Lake Butler Forest – named Olustee after the nearby North Florida town – was designated as part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Greenways and Trails program. This action simultaneously designated the area as part of the FNST. Then-Governor Jeb Bush issued a special resolution recognizing it as the first of such designation on private lands in Florida.
Through this project, Plum Creek has established a partnership with both the Florida Trail Association (FTA) and the FDEP's Office of Greenways and Trails in their efforts to conserve and improve this segment of the trail known as The Olustee Trail.
“While we continue sustainable forestry operations on this land, we recognize that the area is a hiking path and we secure it for recreational use by factoring this into our operations,” said Greg Galpin, senior planning manager for Plum Creek.
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IN THE NEWS
The Gainesville Sun Spotlights Plum Creek
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Todd Powell, director of real estate for Plum Creek, discusses plans to develop an area on State Road 121. Photo by Doug Finger / staff photographer for The Gainesville Sun |
In November, The Gainesville Sun featured a news story about Plum Creek – highlighting the company as a prime conservation player in Alachua County.
The article traces Plum Creek’s regional history back to the merger with Georgia-Pacific’s timberland division in 2001 through local conservation projects currently in place, and up to opportunities on the horizon.
Read the complete article online at The Gainesville Sun’s website.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Four North Florida Food Banks Receive a Holiday Gift from Plum Creek
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Senior Planning Manager Greg Galpin tours the warehouse at America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend Food Bank with Executive Director Cheryl Phoenix. Greg also presented a $4,000 donation check during the visit. |
Just in time for Thanksgiving, the Plum Creek Foundation made donations to four North Florida food banks, spreading holiday spirit to some of our hungriest neighbors. Bread of the Mighty Food Bank in Gainesville, Food Bank of Suwannee County in Lake City, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville, and America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend in Tallahassee all received grant checks to help make the holidays a little brighter the communities they serve.
“The holidays are a perfect time to give the gift of a meal,” said Rose Fagler, community relations manager for Plum Creek Florida. “This is a special time for everyone to celebrate with food, family and friends. As a member of these communities, Plum Creek is happy to be able to provide a special meal to those who need it the most.”
Plum Creek Supports Environmental Education Program at Marion County School
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Walking through the outdoor classroom with a group of students, Andy Hirko of Plum Creek presents the Fort McCoy School with a $4,400 check from the Plum Creek Foundation. Funds will help the school purchase picnic tables and benches for the outdoor classroom located along the Fort McCoy School Trail. |
For the past 14 years, Fort McCoy School has used its trail – located on Plum Creek land – as a place for students to learn about the environment and the importance of conserving natural resources.
“Plum Creek’s support has allowed us to continue our environmental education program. An outdoor classroom provides a truly unique learning experience. It encourages students to appreciate the natural beauty around them,” said Robert Hensel, principal of Fort McCoy School. “The recent donation from the Plum Creek Foundation will be used to revive the classroom and eliminate maintenance problems we have been having with this part of the trail.”
The state has recognized the school’s program for its contribution to environmental education. Over the years, teachers from each grade have developed lesson plans that incorporate the outdoor classroom. Science, art, language arts, agriculture, and elementary curricula all benefit from the use of the trail.
“Many of the students live in and around the Ocala National Forest. Their parents treasure their rural roots and lifestyles. This trail is a natural vehicle for education and recreation,” said Andy Hirko, resource supervisor for Plum Creek. “We are proud to have such a great community landmark on our lands.
A former search and rescue team leader, athlete and forester, Jon Rashleigh is the quintessential outdoorsman. As senior resource manager for the Coastal Unit, Rashleigh oversees all land management activities on nearly 1 million acres of Plum Creek property stretching from Florida to North Carolina. In this role he is responsible for sustainable forest management, road building, mapping, inventory and environmental compliance.
Rashleigh began his career in 1988 working for the U.S. Forest Service. He joined Plum Creek as a new graduate in 1991 and has steadily expanded his responsibilities – serving in a variety of positions relating to forestry, marketing, and business development. In 2008 he was named senior resource manager for the Coastal Unit and was based in Columbia, South Carolina. He recently relocated to Jacksonville with his family last August after the operating unit was expanded to include Florida.
When he isn’t traveling up and down the Southeast Coast for work, he enjoys road biking, kayaking, and spending time with his wife, son and daughter. Rashleigh earned his bachelor’s degree in forestry from the University of Vermont in 1991. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School Program for Management Development. |
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