GFC eUpdate [Jan. 2016]

T ABOUT US | CONTACT
GFC eUpdate

Contents
Forest Management Acorns
Forest Protection Update
Forest Utilization Updates
Reforestation Matters
Are You in the Loop?
Upcoming Events
GFA Forestry Day at the Capitol and
Advocacy Summit 02/03 - 02/04/16 Atlanta, GA
Prescribed Fire Awareness Week 02/07 - 02/13/16
Mayors' Symposium and Statewide Arbor
Day Celebration 02/17/16
Atlanta, GA
Georgia Arbor Day 02/19/16
Georgia Arborist Association Tree Climbing Competition
02/20/16 Columbus, GA
GA Master Timber Harvester Introductory
Workshop 02/24 - 02/25/16
Forsyth, GA

Forest Management Acorns
January is an excellent time to take stock of your forestland investment. Reviewing the successes and challenges of 2015 can help chart a productive course for the new year and well into the future. If you have a Forest Stewardship Plan, it's a great time to pull it out and evaluate the multiple resource management strategies designed to help you meet your goals. Management objectives including timber, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, aesthetics, and soil and water conservation are all addressed in the plan. If you don't have a plan or need your current plan updated, Georgia Forestry Commission professionals are available to work with you. GFC can provide assistance with several management activities, including prescribed burning planning and implementation, invasive species identification and control techniques, thinning and other harvesting needs, site preparation and new tree plantings that can benefit your property. To find out more about the Forest Stewardship Program or to simply reach a knowledgeable forester in your area, click on "local GFC unit" at GaTrees.org.
In a great victory for landowners interested in conservation, the enhanced tax incentive for conservation easement donations has been made permanent. Last month, Congress passed and the president signed into law what's been termed "the most important conservation legislation in 20 years." The incentive encourages landowners to place conservation easements on their land to protect important natural, scenic and historic resources and allows landowners to deduct all or part of the value of the donated easement from their taxable income. Among other features, the incentive raises the deduction a donor can take for donating a conservation easement from 30 percent to 50 percent of his or her income in any year. These changes apply to donations made at any time in 2015 and to all donations made after that. Find out more here, or contact GFC Forest Stewardship Coordinator, Buford Sanders.
Georgia's Arbor Day is the third Friday in February, and special events are planned throughout the week to celebrate the benefits and beauty of our state's trees. The GFC, Georgia Urban Forest Council, and Trees Atlanta are sponsoring a special symposium and luncheon on Wed., Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center, featuring partners who have created model urban tree programs. Speakers will include the founder of the Atlanta Beltline, the Executive Director of Tree Pittsburgh, and the Senior Environmental Planner for the City of Pittsburgh, discussing their successful "Pittsburgh Urban Forest Master Plan: Connecting With Trees" initiative. New Tree City USA communities, Tree Line USA utility companies and Tree Campus USA colleges will be recognized. Georgia Forestry Commission Director Robert Farris, and President of the Arbor Day Foundation, Dan Lambe, plan to attend and other dignitaries have been invited, including Governor Nathan Deal. All city mayors in Georgia will receive complimentary admission. For ticket information, visit www.gufc.org.

Forest Protection Update
The Georgia Forestry Commission is partnering with the state's Rural Conservation and Development Councils to help people understand more about wildfire and ways to prevent its impact on lives and property. Both organizations strive to enhance safety and improve the quality of life in rural communities, and are working together to present homeowners, landowners and government officials with wildfire prevention strategies from the national initiatives, Firewise Community USA and Fire Adapted Communities. There are 11 RC&D regional councils throughout Georgia, each of which serves multiple counties and engages local citizens and officials on governing boards and committees. The GFC/RCDC collaboration is an ideal fit for providing information that can help protect communities from the threat of wildfires. To learn about becoming a Firewise Community, USA, visit Firewise.org or GaTrees.org.

Forest Utilization Updates
Employees working in forestry earned more in wages and salaries last year than people in any other Georgia manufacturing industry. According to a new report issued by the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia's forest industry ranked first in the state for compensation, with workers earning $3.03 billion, an increase of 3.1% from the previous year. The forestry industry supported 48,740 jobs, ranking third among manufacturing sectors behind the food processing and textile industries. That is a 1.2% increase from 2013, with the pulp and paper industry continuing to dominate all sectors within the industry. It was the fifth consecutive year of positive job growth. Figures cited in Economic Benefits of the Forest Industry in Georgia: 2014 show the total fiscal impact of the forest industry rose to nearly $28.7 billion, a 2.4% increase from 2013. The forest industry provided the state with $721 million in tax revenues for 2014, with net state revenues generated by the industry rising by $11 million, or 3.2%. That figure is approximately double the 2011 revenue total. For a fact sheet about the report and a copy of Economic Benefits of the Forest Industry in Georgia: 2014, visit the GFC website.

Reforestation Matters
Georgia Forestry Commission seedling sales have been very brisk this season! The GFC Flint River Nursery has sold out of most elite pine varieties, but a limited amount of slash pine is still available, including:
Select premium slash - produces 38 percent more volume per acre at rotation age and is extremely resistant to fusiform rust. Pitch canker resistant slash - produces 32 percent more volume per acre at rotation age and is also very resistant to fusiform rust, with the added bonus of pitch canker resistance. Premium slash - produces the same volume as the PCR slash and is rust-resistant as well. It is moderately priced at $58/thousand, and discounts are available for large orders with nursery pickup.
Remember, GFC delivers to every county and this cold weather is the perfect time to plant bare root seedlings. For more information, visit GaTrees.org or call 229-268-7308.

Are You in the Loop?
One of our main tools to communicate with Georgia's diverse and dedicated forestry partners is through the bimonthly magazine, Georgia Forestry Today. Now in its tenth year, the publication strives to spotlight the issues, people, and events that keep readers well informed about all things forestry in Georgia. From forest industry news and the latest on economic impacts and invasive species, to BMP's, fire management, government regulations, and nature services, Georgia Forestry Today presents material that matters to your business and your family. To see past issues and to subscribe, visit Georgiaforestrytoday.org, and to submit story ideas, email Stasia Kelly.
Copyright 2005 Georgia Forestry Commission, all rights reserved 1- 800- GA- TREES
Follow us on Twitter | Find us on Facebook | Watch us on YouTube Follow us on LinkedIn
Forward this email

This email was sent to gadocs@uga.edu by newsletter@gfc.state.ga.us | Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribeTM | About our service provider.

Georgia Forestry Commission | 5645 Riggins Mill Road | Dry Branch | GA | 31020