Sung to the tune of “School’s Out for Summer!”
Guest Blog by Conservation Education Coordinator Chelsea York Temperatures are rising, graduations are being celebrated, and end-of-year parties are underway. Can the summer doldrums be far behind? One can almost hear that woeful whine, “I’m BOOORRRRRED!” For anyone simultaneously excited and fearful of the summer ahead, we have some great news for you! Georgia’s forests … Continue Reading →
North Georgia Burn Ban Boosts Air Quality
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 26, 2022 On May 1, an outdoor burn ban will begin in 54 Georgia counties, primarily in the northern half of the state. Affected residents are asked to refrain from burning yard and land clearing debris, whose smoke can negatively impact the state’s air quality during the hot summer months by … Continue Reading →
Special Committee Tackles Carbon Credit Tracking in Georgia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 21, 2022 Georgia is taking steps to ensure the emerging sustainable development carbon market is open to the state’s forests. A special technical advisory committee has been seated to help build Georgia’s Sustainable Development Carbon Registry. The action will supplement Georgia’s existing voluntary Carbon Registry by tracking the amount of carbon … Continue Reading →
Summer Camp Openings for Nature-Loving Middle Schoolers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 20, 2022 A limited number of openings remain for one of Georgia’s “best-kept secret” summer camps – which also happens to be FREE! The Billy Lancaster Forestry Youth Camp for rising seventh and eighth-graders will be held July 10-14 at the FFA/Family Career and Community Leaders of America facility on Lake … Continue Reading →
Bloom-time BOLO for Invasive Weed in Georgia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 12, 2022 Local landscapes come alive in springtime with beautiful buds, sprouts, and flowers. Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) forest health specialists are requesting, however, we “be on the lookout,” for an invasive weed disguised as an attractive, wispy grass that’s especially visible in April. “Cogongrass is classified as one of the … Continue Reading →
Prevention Tactics Shared as Fire Danger Rises
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 4, 2022 A special team from the Georgia Forestry Commission will be canvassing the southwest portion of Georgia and working with adjacent states the week of April 3, spreading the word about fire danger. The current weather outlook for the next couple of months is indicating dry conditions and a potential … Continue Reading →
COGONGRASS: IF YOU SEE IT, REPORT IT!
Written by Lynne Womack, Forest Health Coordinator As the weather warms up and we all start to get out and about more, the signs of spring are all around us. At GFC’s Forest Health Department, spring is the start of our early detection season. The majority of this early detection work is done by placing … Continue Reading →
High Fire Danger Prompts Outdoor Burning Warnings this Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 25, 2022 A National Weather Service special alert has prompted the Georgia Forestry Commission to prepare for the elevated threat of wildfires by discouraging outdoor burning this weekend. Burning permits may also be temporarily suspended in certain areas until conditions change. “Most of Georgia has been placed under a fire weather … Continue Reading →
“Wildfires in Georgia”
Guest blog by GFC Ranger III Eric Evans When you hear the word “wildfire,” what goes through your mind? TV news video of big blazes ripping through mountainous terrain? Images of helicopters dumping water on smoky fires below? Pictures like that are mostly associated with western fires that happen in the summer. California, for instance, … Continue Reading →
Newnan Tornado Recovery – One Year Later
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 24, 2022 Residents, special guests, and the Georgia Forestry Commission will be on hand Saturday, March 26 in Newnan to mark the first anniversary of tornadoes that tore through the city. More than $75 million in losses were recorded from the F-4 storm and 567 acres of tree canopy were destroyed. … Continue Reading →
