Forests – with stands of varying ages – account for 67 percent of the state’s total land area. These forest lands are being sustainably managed to meet the numerous needs of our state today, while ensuring resource availability into the future.

Georgia’s Forest Action Plan and subsequent Resource Strategy were initially developed in response to the 2008 Farm Bill. The three consensus-based national priorities with accompanying strategic objectives are:

Conserve working forest landscapes.

  • Identify and conserve high-priority forest ecosystems and landscapes.
  • Actively and sustainably manage forests.

Protect forests from harm.

  • Restore fire-adapted lands and reduce risk of wildfire impacts.
  • Identify, manage and reduce threats to forest and ecosystem health.

Enhance public benefits from trees and forests.

  • Protect and enhance water quality and quantity.
  • Improve air quality and conserve energy.
  • Assist communities in planning for and reducing wildfire risks.
  • Maintain and enhance the economic benefits and values of trees and forests.
  • Protect, conserve and enhance wildlife and fish habitat.
  • Connect people to trees and forests.
  • Manage and restore trees and forests to mitigate and adapt to global climate change.

A Collaborative Process

GFC worked collaboratively with key partners in numerous disciplines, which provided program-specific input for forest health, stewardship, conservation easements, water quality, marketing and utilization, wildfire protection and prevention, sustainable community forestry and wildlife. Forest inventory and analysis (FIA) data served as a basis for current forest data. As the assessment and strategies were developed, they incorporated major plans already in place such as the State Wildlife Action Plan, Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment. This allowed seamless integration with existing statewide efforts already underway in Georgia.

GFC contracted with the University of Georgia to develop geospatial data layers used to identify priority areas. Issues identified in the 2008 Forest Management Sustainability Report will be used as the foundation for strategy development.

The Forest Action Plan was submitted to the US Forest Service in June 2010. Thanks to everyone involved in the process of creating this document.

Key Partners

Georgia's Sustainability Report

Helpful Resources

TitleDescriptionDocument Type
2020 – Georgia Statewide Forest Resources Strategy

Georgia’s original Forest Action Plan was produced with contributions from many program leaders of the Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service. Content contributors included Dr. Jon Ambrose, Constance Buford, Joe Burgess, Scott Thackston, Devon Dartnell, David Dickinson, Frank Sorrells, Ken Parker, Gary White, Scott Griffin, Josh Love, Joan Scales, Jim Ozier, Dru Preston, Dick Rightmyer, Buford Sanders and Risher Willard. Liz Kramer, University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences contractor, conducted the GIS analyses. Final document design and production was accomplished by Wendy Burnett, Kassie Keck and Stasia Kelly. Development and publication of this document was assisted by a grant from the National Association of State Foresters.

PDF
Farm Bill (2008)External Website
Forest Action Plan – GA Statewide Assessment of Forest Resources (2015)

Georgia’s 24 million acres of forest land are a rich and renewable resource that provide a myriad of benefits to citizens across the state. This updated Statewide Assessment of Forest Resources addresses the conditions and issues at hand today, and prioritize concerns for the near and distant future.

PDF
Forest Industry & Analysis (FIA) – National ProgramExternal Website
Sustainable Forest Management in Georgia (2008)

Georgia’s forests are being sustainably managed to meet the numerous needs of our state today. To ensure our forests will continue to meet the ever increasing demands of future generations, many challenges must be met. This initial report, submitted to the General Assembly on July 1, 2008, highlights the conditions of our forest resources, along with the challenges and opportunities being faced by Georgia’s forest managers and owners.

PDF