Georgia is the #1 forestry state in the nation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2021 The USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH) will provide relief to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that experienced losses due to COVID-19. Timber harvesting and hauling businesses that have experienced a gross revenue loss of at least 10% during the period of Jan. 1 and Dec. … Continue Reading →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 15, 2021 Changes are coming to laws affecting Georgians who burn outdoor yard debris. As of July 1, 2021, landowners will no longer be required to notify the Georgia Forestry Commission of their intention to burn hand-piled vegetative matter. However, the legal responsibilities of those burning outdoor yard debris will be … Continue Reading →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 3, 2021 A Crawford County man has plead guilty to three counts of arson of lands in the third degree and has been sentenced to 15 years’ probation, $4,500 in fines, plus restitution. Georgia Forestry Commission Law Enforcement Officers charged Matthew DeFore with six counts of arson of lands December 2015, … Continue Reading →

* Georgia law no longer requires notification to the Georgia Forestry Commission by people planning to burn yard debris. Charges may apply if wildfire results from escaped burning and evidence show reasonable fire prevention precautions were not taken. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 28, 2021 On May 1, a ban on outdoor burning begins in 54 … Continue Reading →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 27, 2021 A new Georgia Forestry Commission report details damage left behind by an EF-4 tornado that tore through Newnan, Georgia, and surrounding areas in late March. The GFC Timber Impact Assessment of the Heard and Coweta Counties’ tornado reports a total of 4,745 acres of timber damaged, with a total … Continue Reading →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 26, 2021 The Georgia Forestry Commission has named the State Lands Timber Sales group its 2020 Forest Management Team of the Year. Timber Sales is one of 12 GFC teams that guides forest landowners in the growth, health and conservation of Georgia’s valuable forest resources. “Each division in this agency is … Continue Reading →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 8, 2021 The Georgia Forestry Commission is marking an important milestone – its 100th year of service to Georgia. Forests make up 24 million acres, or 75 percent, of the State of Georgia, and the Georgia General Assembly recently passed a resolution recognizing the agency for its centennial and its role … Continue Reading →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 2, 2021 A member of the Georgia Forestry Commission’s North Georgia Forest Protection team has been selected to receive a prestigious award recognizing outstanding work to prevent wildfire. Anthony English, Georgia Forestry Commission Wildland Urban Interface Specialist, of Cornelia, GA has won the Robert E. Browning award for 2019 in Georgia. … Continue Reading →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 22, 2021 The forest industry continued to be a powerful economic driver for Georgia in 2019. A recently released report from Georgia Tech shows more than $36.5 billion in total sales for the industry, supporting more than 141,000 jobs. It was the ninth consecutive year for job growth in the industry, … Continue Reading →

Governor Brian Kemp has appointed Georgia forestry veteran Timothy M. Lowrimore to serve as state forester and director of the Georgia Forestry Commission. Following a swearing-in ceremony on December 21 at the state capitol, Lowrimore will assume his new duties on January 16, 2021. “It is especially fitting that Tim Lowrimore rejoins the GFC family … Continue Reading →