Overview of the Firewise program in Wildcat community in the North Georgia mountains

The Don’t Move Firewood campaign is an outreach partnership managed by The Nature Conservancy. The overarching goal of the campaign is to protect trees and forests all across North America from invasive insects and diseases that can travel in or on contaminated firewood.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Ecological Protection Lab (formerly the Beetle Lab) has led in regional efforts to protect the Eastern Hemlock from the invasive Wooly Adelgid by initiating biological control efforts through the rearing and release of predatory beetles to reduce adelgid numbers and impacts.

Pecan trees are commonly found surrounding both urban and rural dwellings throughout Georgia. They can enhance the environment and provide additional income from the sale of nuts. Pecans are recommended for home planting in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, but are not recommended for the north Georgia mountains.

Ips engraver beetles continue to heavily infest drought-stressed trees in northern and central Georgia.