GEORGIA’S FOREST INDUSTRY POISED FOR INNOVATION AND GROWTH
State legislators are taking a hard look at Georgia’s forest industry challenges. A new report details the impacts of recent mill closures to the state’s economy and to affected Georgians. Georgia Tech estimates those closures will strike a $2.9 billion loss to the state, with nearly seven thousand jobs eliminated. At Governor Brian Kemp’s direction, … Continue Reading →
SUSPECTED ARSONIST ARRESTED IN EMANUEL COUNTY
A Toombs County man has been jailed on felony arson charges. Forty-nine-year-old Phillip Jones of Vidalia was arrested by Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) law enforcement officers and the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Jones is accused of deliberately setting a 1.5-acre wildfire on Sunday, January 11 in a wooded area near … Continue Reading →
STATE AGENCY BUILDING DEDICATED IN HONOR OF FORESTRY LEADER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 15, 2025 A prominent leader of Georgia’s forest industry is being celebrated with a permanent honor. The Georgia Forestry Commission’s headquarters in Dry Branch has been formally dedicated in the name of John Mixon. Mixon worked with the state agency from 1961-1995, and served as its director for 12 years. “It … Continue Reading →
WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER PROMOTED TO AREA LEADERSHIP ROLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 1, 2025 A wildland firefighter with more than two decades of experience has been named Chief Ranger for the Georgia Forestry Commission’s (GFC) Atkinson/Coffee Unit. Jason Bohannon, of Denton, Georgia graduated from Jeff Davis High School and joined the GFC in 2001. “Through his 24-year career with GFC, Jason has demonstrated … Continue Reading →
WAYCROSS FORESTER TAKES ON LEAD ROLE WITH GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 1, 2025 When Waycross’s Ethan Robertson finished his degree at the University of Georgia, he stepped straight into his forestry career. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources in 2013, then joined the Georgia Forestry Commission as a forestry intern. Since then, he’s gained … Continue Reading →
LOCAL FORESTRY UNIT EARNS STATE AWARD FOR LANDOWNER SERVICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 18, 2025 When Hurricane Helene tore through Georgia last year, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) leaped into action. For their thousands of hours of clean-up work and service to landowners, the GFC’s local Telfair/Wheeler Unit has earned a state award. Staff members have been recognized with the agency’s “2025 Unit of … Continue Reading →
LOCAL FORESTRY UNIT RECOGNIZED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 18, 2025 Fighting wildfires, teaching people about safe burning, and keeping our forests healthy and productive. Those jobs are all in a day’s work for five public servants overseeing Emanuel and Candler Counties for the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). The outstanding performance of the Emanuel/Candler Unit has earned the team GFC’s … Continue Reading →
HABERSHAM MAN EARNS STATE WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING AWARD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 14, 2025 A Georgia Forestry Commission wildland firefighter has earned the agency’s top award for leadership skills that bring significant protection to the state’s landowners. Will Dale of Lula, Georgia, has been named GFC’s 2025 Wildland Firefighter of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in all aspects of wildfire training … Continue Reading →
VIDALIA FORESTER EARNS 2025 AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 14, 2025 Forester Matthew O’Connor jumped into action after Hurricane Helene swept through his Vidalia yard in 2024. Little did he think that just over a year later, his can-do decisions would help earn him special recognition from the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). O’Connor, who has been with GFC for six … Continue Reading →
GFC FORESTER PROMOTED TO REGIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 3, 2025 South Georgia native Mark Madray is bringing his life-long passion for forestry to a regional leadership position with the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). Following a decade of service with the agency, Madray has been named Region 3 Manager for the GFC. In his new position, Madray will oversee forestry … Continue Reading →
