West Fraser has donated $53,200 to fund the purchase of pine seedlings to be planted within the following counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Evans, Glynn, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Montgomery, Pierce, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Ware, Wayne, Wheeler. The funds will be used to purchase GFC seedlings, which will be given to qualified landowners.
Signup period:
The signup period ends July 25, 2025. To apply, complete a West Fraser seedling application found here. The list of applicants will be compiled and randomly selected if necessary. Approvals will be announced by August 1, 2025.
Approved applicants:
A site visit will be made to all approved landowners by a private, registered forester or a GFC forester. A reforestation plan, addressing site preparation and planting specifications, will be developed at that time. The landowner must reasonably follow the plan to ensure a successful reforestation project. There are no requirements for trees per acre, but the specifications should follow normal timber management guidelines (400-726 TPA). The plan will quantify the acreage and address site preparation and planting specifications. The applicant must agree to follow the plan in order to receive seedlings. Approved seedling applications will be submitted to the GFC nursery and seedlings will be delivered as directed on the application.
A GFC Forester will visit the site after planting to ensure that the reforestation plan was followed. The landowner should notify West Fraser when planting will be completed to allow a West Fraser forester to be present for planting. In the case that the plan was not followed or the designated area was not planted, the landowner will be required to pay for the portion of trees not properly utilized.
General guidelines:
- The planting area must be a minimum of 25 acres
- The pine species selected should match the site
- Must have reforestation plan written by registered forester or a graduate forester working under a registered forester and plan must be followed
- Can go towards cost share program participants but will receive lower priority
- Site must be ready for planting during the 2025-2026 planting season