The Florida Forest Service is pleased to announce and welcome Washington County resident Michael Klassen as the new Senior Forester for the County.
Michael, originally from Jacksonville, FL, attended college at the University of Montana. During this time, he also worked for the U.S. Forest Service and learned a great deal about practical land management and wildfire suppression. Michael graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Resource Conservation.
Although the great outdoors led Michael to attend school in Montana, he soon began to miss the great state of Florida and, returned home where he began his career with the Florida Forest Service. Since then, he has had a variety of experience in land management and is currently works towards his Master’s in Forest Resource Conservation at the University of Florida.
“I love what I do,” stated Michael. “Being able to help landowners manage their properties is rewarding to not only me but also to them.”
Whether you own large amounts of land, or have a few trees of concern in your yard, the Florida Forest Service is happy to provide for the citizens of Washington County. Technical assistance, grant programs, information on prescribed burning, wildlife habitat, and management considerations, will be even more accessible to Washington County.
During his Michael’s time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two-year-old son, being a youth leader at his church, and playing the guitar.
Michael’s office is located at the Washington County Agricultural Center, 1424 Jackson Ave. Chipley, FL 32428 and can be reached at (850) 638-6250. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call or stop by.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests, provides management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests, while protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. For more information about the Florida Forest Service, visit www.FloridaForestService.com or call Hannah Bowers at (850) 625-6621.