Georgia is the #1 forestry state in the nation.

Graduation season is an exciting time filled with celebrations, milestones, and big questions about what comes next. For recent graduates searching for meaningful work, a little adventure, and the opportunity to make a real difference, forestry may be the career path for you! When people think about forestry careers, they often picture someone planting trees … Continue Reading →

As news about the historic South Georgia wildfires continues to improve, firefighting efforts have shifted into the closing stages. Crews are now focused on the “mop-up” phase, which is just as critical as the initial attack. What is mop up? Mop-up is the process of locating, extinguishing, and securing any remaining heat or burning material … Continue Reading →

Blog by: Johnny Sabo, GFC Director In anticipation of elevated wildfire risk following Hurricane Helene and ongoing drought conditions, the Georgia Forestry Commission has spent the past several years strengthening wildfire preparedness, prevention, mitigation, detection, and response capabilities across the state. Through strategic planning, operational enhancements, technology investments, workforce development, public outreach, and strong legislative … Continue Reading →

GFC Guest blog by Gloria Camacho, Director, Georgia Forestry Foundation Georgians are joining more than one billion people in 190+ countries this week to celebrate Earth Day! Wednesday, April 22, 2026 is the 56th anniversary of this global environmental movement. It brings together individuals, students, communities, faith groups, elected officials, and organizations worldwide to coordinate … Continue Reading →

Have your conversations turned to “yellow” yet? They will be soon. Pollen time is upon us. And as much as we humans may dislike the dust, birds, bees, and trees really dig it! We’ve shared this information before and it deserves another go’round. As you spray away “Wash Me!” from your car, take a moment … Continue Reading →

Georgia’s Arbor Day is the ideal time to celebrate the champions among us – Champion Trees, that is! The Champion Tree Program is a vital initiative that highlights the tallest and most majestic trees across the state. In a recent conversation on GFC’s podcast, The Forestry Forum, our Urban Forestry Specialist Dave Long shared insights … Continue Reading →

Blog by: Justin Brown, Georgia Forestry Commission Rural Fire Defense Coordinator Every rural fire department has a story—of volunteers stepping up, neighbors helping neighbors, and communities built on resilience. For decades, the Rural Fire Defense Program has played a vital role in those stories, helping protect lives, homes, and Georgia’s natural landscapes. Today, we’re working … Continue Reading →

Fighting Fire. Protecting Forests. Serving Georgia. – WE ARE GFC! The words “first responder” bring to mind images of ambulances, EMT’s, and fire trucks screaming up to a blazing house fire or highway wreck. The brave men and women who perform these services are heroes of uncommon ability. Yet there’s another group of first responders you … Continue Reading →

From Georgia’s Coastal Plain to the Piedmont and into the foothills, the closure of pulp mills has changed how forests must be grown. While the economic effects are easy to see, another shift is happening at the forest level: pine seedling genetics matter more than ever. For decades, pulp mills provided a dependable market for … Continue Reading →