PHOTOS: Commissioner Nikki Fried Presents Cabinet Proclamation to Eagle Scout Clayton Didier, Plants Tree in State Forest

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried presented a Florida Cabinet proclamation to Eagle Scout Clayton Didier of Santa Rosa Beach, in recognition of his efforts to improve Florida’s natural environment. Didier led his Boy Scouts troop in planting 2,000 longleaf pine trees at Grayton Beach State Park, as well removing and replacing an environmentally-unsound boardwalk at Western Coastal Dune Lake. Fried was joined by Clayton’s parents Captain Joe Didier and Paige Didier, Emerald Coast Middle School Principal Todd Drake, Florida Forest Service Chipola Forestry Center Manager Mike Mathis, and other community leaders.

The presentation took place at the trailhead of Point Washington State Forest, a 15,000-acre natural ecosystem and one of 38 state forests managed by the Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Following the presentation, Commissioner Fried led participants in the ceremonial planting of a sand live oak tree. Fried also highlighted the importance of forests to environmental preservation, including carbon sequestration through carbon farming. Additional background is below.

PHOTOS: High-res photos from the press event may be downloaded here.

“On behalf of the Florida Cabinet, I’m so honored today to recognize Eagle Scout Clayton Didier for his proven commitment to conservation. In becoming one of just three Florida Boy Scouts to earn the Distinguished Conservation Service Award, Clayton has truly made his family, his troop, his community, and our entire state proud,” said Commissioner Fried. Clayton’s dedication to improving Grayton Beach State Park through planting of thousands of trees highlights the important role our forests play in protecting our environment, by keeping trillions of tons of carbon out of our atmosphere. That’s why I’ve asked President Biden to provide carbon farming incentives to Florida’s farmers and forest landowners, and am supporting state legislation to do the same here in Florida. Clayton’s achievements have made Florida better, and are an important reminder that everyone can play a role in protecting the natural treasures we all love.”

“We are incredibly proud of Clayton and his accomplishments. We are most proud of his desire to give back to the community and proactively help make a positive impact on the environment,” said Captain Joe Didier. “He prides himself on being able to make a difference in our local ecosystem and the conservation of Florida’s natural resources.”

Florida, Forests, and Carbon Farming: Commissioner Fried recently joined state lawmakers for a press conference on energy and climate legislation in the Florida House and Senate. HB 993 and SB 1362 will create the Resilient Farms Pilot Program, providing carbon sequestration incentives to farmers and forest landowners who undertake carbon farming efforts, reducing carbon dioxide through tree planting and other means. Carbon farming has been called a “turning point” in Florida, according to scientists. Commissioner Fried also encouraged the Biden Administration to support carbon sequestration efforts in the state-federal partnership plan she launched in February. In the 30-page plan, Fried and FDACS propose public-private partnerships to incentivize carbon farming on state and federal lands. The plan has been applauded by members of Congress, national think tanks, agriculture advocates, and others. The Biden Administration supports incentivizing carbon farming, and has proposed billions to pay growers for implementing sustainable farming practices.

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