Forestry Employees Honored for Outstanding Service to Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 21, 2023 Georgia Forestry Commission employees serving a 21-county region in west-central Georgia have been honored with a prestigious agency award. The annual “Area of the…

GFC’s people and services impact Georgians

Written by Stasia Kelly | GFC Media Relations Specialist When you see the words “Georgia Forestry Commission,” what comes to your mind? Trees, of course – millions upon millions of…

Forest Certification Programs

…sustainable wood sourcing. Trends toward a higher demand for certified wood products could result in competition and higher prices for the certified timber. Helpful Resources TitleDescriptionDocument Type Comparing Certification Standards…

Forest Biomass

…for bioenergy combustion systems. Use of these materials also prevent their disposal in landfills. Care should be taken to ensure that wood treated with chemicals and hazardous materials are not…

Burn Permits and Notifications

Under Senate Bill 119, GA code section 12-6-90 was changed to eliminate the need to notify the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) by the person, firm, corporation, or association who intends…

Forest Inventory Analysis

…to make decisions on development, commerce, wildlife and much more. Nationally, collected data is electronically compiled and forwarded to the U.S. Forest Service FIA program office in Knoxville, Tennessee. Based…

Forest Certification

There are several benefits to pursing certification, including: Some Georgia forest product companies show a preference for purchasing certified timber. Regions with more certified forestland attract new industries that require…

Ecosystem Services

…benefits to society. These public goods provide the basis for sustainable economies, communities, and livelihoods, but have no recognized economic value in the marketplace. The vital contributions of ecosystem services…

UNG Ecological Protection Lab

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.

YHC – Hemlock Project

The Young Harris College (YHC) Hemlock Proiect is a volunteer effort of community members and students to help raise Sasajiscymnus tsugae, a tiny ladybird beetle that is one of the few natural predators of the HWA. The organization works in conjunction with the Forest Service and GFC to decide where to release the adult beetles.