Overview
The Georgia Forestry Commission’s Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) seeks to contract with private consulting foresters and wildlife biologists to develop management plans for private landowners. Approved tracts must be located within a Georgia county designated by GFC’s FSP as a Federal Investment Area or a FEMA designated Hurricane Helene area. A map of these counties can be found here.
Eligibility
Consulting Foresters must already be established on our Consulting Forester Directory. Wildlife Biologists must have their plan reviewed by a Registered Consulting Forester prior to submitting.
Pay Rate
Funds for this project are limited and first come, first serve. Payment schedule varies and can be found in the Consulting FSP Contract.
Application Process
If you’re interested in becoming a contractor to develop management plans for your private landowners, please contact the Program Coordinator or your local Stewardship contact. A step-by-step process for enrolling landowners in Georgia’s Forest Stewardship Program can be found here.
Program Resources
| Title | Description | Document Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 American Tree Farm System Landscape Management Plan for the State of Georgia | The American Forest Foundation (AFF), in conjunction with Southern Forestry Consultants, Inc.(SFC), developed the original components, outlines, structure, and drafts of the Landscape Management Plan (LMP) and the associated geodatabase. AFF and SFC also worked cooperatively to evaluate and incorporate edits, comments, and modifications that resulted in the final LMP and geodatabase. | |
| 2024 American Tree Farm System LMP | 2024 Tree Farm User Fillable Landscape Management Plan (LMP) | |
| Consulting Forester Plan Writing Eligible County Map | A map highlighting counties that are either designated by GFC’s FSP as a Federal Investment Area or a FEMA designated Hurricane Helene area. | |
| Consulting FSP Contract | A contract outlining agreement between Consulting Foresters and GFC. | |
| Forest Stewardship Application (Revised 2025) | Updated application used to apply for the Forest Stewardship Program. | |
| Forest Stewardship Plan Criteria Checklist | A checklist that can be used to ensure your Forest Stewardship Plan meets the appropriate criteria. | |
| FSP Contacts Map | A map of Georgia featuring Forest Stewardship Program contact information by county. | |
| Standards for Forest Stewardship Plans & Renewals | Georgia’s Forest Stewardship Program utilizes the unprecedented cooperation of resource professionals from both the public and private sector with backgrounds in forestry, wildlife biology, soil science, and recreation management. Working together, they produce detailed and comprehensive management plans called Forest Stewardship Plans for landowners enrolled in the program. | |
| Steps For Consulting Foresters or Wildlife Biologists Enrolling Landowners in FSP | Features step-by-step instructions on how a Consulting Forester or Wildlife Biologist can enroll a forest landowner into the Forest Stewardship Program. | |
| Website Links Referenced in Forest Stewardship Plans | Contains a list of web links found in Forest Stewardship Plans, as well as additional helpful webpages. |
Plan Writing Resources
| Title | Description | Document Type |
|---|---|---|
| Access Roads | Resource outlining advice on forest access roads. | |
| Basic Management Recommendations | Resource outlining basic management practice recommendations. | |
| Biology & Management of Eastern Wild Turkey | Resource from Clemson University Extension on best management practices for wild turkey habitats. | |
| Creating the Perfect Home for Bluebirds | Resource from GADNR outlining best forest management practices for enhancing Bluebird habitats. | |
| Deer Herd Management | Resource from GADNR on managing deer herds. | |
| Forest Stewardship Planning for Beauty and Diversity | Guide from North Carolina University & Extension Office on forest beautification & diversity. | |
| Georgia Deer Management Assistance Program Outline | Resource from GADNR outlining the Georgia Deer Management Assistance Program. | |
| Gopher Tortoise Forest Management Practices | Resource from GADNR outlining best forest management practices for enhancing Gopher Tortoise habitats. | |
| Grafting Persimmons | Step-by-step guide on grafting persimmons written by David A. Osborn and Dr. Karl V. Miller. | |
| Hack & Squirt Management Method | Guide on the “hack & squirt” non-native invasive species management method, written by Tim Albritton of the Alabama Forestry Commission. | |
| Herbicide Use in Georgia | Guide from GFC, GADNR, and NRCS on herbicide use in Georgia. | |
| Management of Georgia Sport Fishing Pond | Resource from UGA on building and managing fishing ponds. | |
| Management of Southern Hardwoods | Guide for managing southern hardwood species by Ray R. Hicks, Jr., William H. Conner, Robert C. Kellison, and David Van Lear. | |
| Managing Old Fields | Guide on managing old fields by Craig Harper and John Gruchy, originally published in Quality Whitetails magazine. | |
| Recreational Forest Trails Plan For Success | Guide from North Carolina University & Extension Office on planning for recreational forest trails. | |
| Sample Forest Stewardship Plan | Contains a sample Forest Stewardship Plan that can be used as an example or starting point. | |
| Thinning Pine Stands | Guide on thinning pine stands from the Texas A&M Forest Service. | |
| Uneven-Age Longleaf Pine Management | Resource from Alabama Forestry Commission on managing uneven-age longleaf pine. | |
| Wood Duck Fact Sheet | Fact sheet from GADNR about the biology, habitat, and nest box of wood ducks. |