GFC eUpdate, 2018 January 10

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GFC eUpdate

Contents
White Selected as Deputy Director
Forest Management Acorns
Forest Protection Updates
Forest Utilization Updates
Reforestation Matters
Upcoming Events
Arborist Certification Review Class 01/17 - 01/18/18 Washington, GA
Longleaf Academy 101
01/23 - 01/25/18 Windsor, SC
Tree Risk, Storm Prep and Recovery Workshop 01/24/18
Richmond Hill, GA
Prescribed Fire Awareness Week 02/04 - 02/10/18
GA
GFA Forestry Day at the Capitol 02/13/18 Atlanta, GA
Georgia Arbor Day 02/16/18 GA

White Selected as Deputy Director
The Georgia Forestry Commission has named Gary White its new deputy director. White has nearly 30 years of wide-ranging experience with GFC, most recently as chief of Forest Management. Among other positions, he has served as chief ranger, staff forester for the Sustainable Community Forestry program, and wildland urban interface coordinator. He is qualified as a crew boss and a field observer and most recently worked on the hand crew during the north Georgia fires. White holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management from West Virginia University in Morganton, West Virginia. In his new position, White will oversee a diverse range of support, operations and program activities for the agency, and assist Georgia Forestry Commission Director Chuck Williams in management functions of the GFC. Please join us in congratulating Gary on his new role!
Forest Management Acorns
The 2017 Best Management Practices Survey has been completed. The overall score for BMP implementation across Georgia was 93.17 percent, an improvement of 2.01 percentage points from 2015. A total of 232 randomly selected sites were inspected throughout the state. Those sites included 33,578 acres of forestry operations of all types, including harvesting, site prep, planting, roads, stream crossings, SMZs, special management areas, firebreaks/burning, etc. All categories of forestry activities scored 90 percent or better except for stream crossings, which scored 88.19 percent, but was still a 3.99 percentage point improvement from 2015. Forest roads showed improvement of 4.83 percentage points from 2015 to a score of 90.63 percent. One notable score decline was in the category of firebreaks/burning, which declined by 3.39 percentage points from 2015, to a score of 90.17 percent. While this is still a good score, it points to the need to stay vigilant with firebreak BMPs. Find the full report at GaTrees.org. Four simultaneous statewide Arbor Day celebrations will take place on Thursday, February 15. Special events are planned in Atlanta, Athens, Columbus and Woodbine. Tree City USA Awards luncheons will be held in each location, as the organization welcomes 13 new cities to its 2016 total of 140 TCUSAs statewide. Columbus will also be honored for its 40th year as a Tree City USA. For details about the events and location agendas, visit http://bit.ly/2qHqrRJ.

Conditions for Rx Burning Shaping Up
Even though some parts of Georgia have abnormally dry conditions, overall, the forecast for the next couple of months looks good for prescribed burning. Recent precipitation has increased soil moisture throughout the state. As favorable weather patterns develop, especially after cold fronts pass, many prescribed fire managers will increase their application of prescribed fire to forest lands. Numerous resource benefits of prescribed burning include the reduction of hazardous vegetation buildup to reduce the intensity and threats of wildfires; wildlife habitat improvement; site preparation for reforestation; and reviving fire dependent plants, just to name a few. The Georgia Forestry Commission's staff meteorologist prepares custom fire weather forecasts for specific geographical areas to help predict favorable prescribed burning conditions, and to assist prescribed fire practitioners in determining the best times to burn. Fire weather forecasts can be found on our website, Gatrees.org. A burning permit is required to conduct prescribed burning. The Georgia Forestry Commission evaluates the fire weather forecasts and makes a determination each day on whether permits will be issued. Burning permits can be obtained over the phone by calling the local GFC county forestry unit that serves your area.
Forest Markets and Utilization
A new report shows Georgia's forest industry continues to provide a substantial impact to the state's economy. According to "Economic Benefits of the Forest Industry in Georgia, 2016," notable increases were recorded in the number of jobs, compensation paid to employees, and output - the total revenue generated by the industry. That figure rose 9.6 percent from the previous year to $35.2 billion. Among all Georgia industries, Georgia's forest industry ranks first in wages and salaries at $3.74 billion, and second in employment with 51,900 jobs. New metrics for this report show that, in addition to the figures above, the urban forestry industry segment provides over 45,000 jobs and $4 billion in output. Georgia's forest industry also generated $778 million in state government revenues in 2016.
Reforestation Matters
We are almost 90 percent sold out of tree seedlings! However, there are still some left, including a variety of loblolly and slash pine seedlings. In the loblolly group, some Elite Straight remain. These seedlings produce around 40 percent more volume per acre than unimproved seedlings, and they are extremely resistant to fusiform rust. They also have superior straightness and form. In slash pine varieties we have some of our Select Premium Slash left.These seedlings produce 38 percent more volume per acre, and are also extremely resistant to fusiform rust. If you are looking for a little less early volume production, but want a bargain, you may want to choose the Premium Plus Slash. A limited amount of hardwoods are left, including bald cypress and catalpa.
Get your orders in fast why supplies still last! Please contact us at the Flint River Nursery, 478-508-0056 or Gatrees.org.
Copyright 2005 Georgia Forestry Commission, all rights reserved 1- 800- GA- TREES
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