GFC eUpdate, 2018 August 8

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GFC eUpdate

Contents
Director's Corner
Forest Management Acorns
More Rain, More Service!
GA 2017 Forest Inventory Underway
Reforestation Update
Upcoming Events
Georgia Landowner Academy 8/28/18 Tifton, GA
College Canopy Conference 9/11/18 Morrow, GA
Managing Forests for Health, Wildlife and
Productivity 9/18 - 9/19/18
Athens, GA

Director's Corner
Thank you for taking the time to read about the latest news at the Georgia Forestry Commission. We've been busy on a number of fronts, all of which make me really proud to be a part of this great team of professionals.
As we strive to better serve all of our stakeholders, some changes have been made inside the GFC organization. Please join me in congratulating the following employees who have taken on new job responsibilities and titles that make your state forestry agency more nimble, strategic, and productive: Gary White, Deputy Director; Scott Griffin, Management Chief; Buford Sanders, Chief of State Lands; Mark McClellan, Stewardship Manager; Brian Clavier, Chief of Law Enforcement.
We believe these moves will get our managers closer to you, our customers, and to field staff who serve our customers. Please know that we welcome all feedback, and that Gary White and I personally seek your input regarding our agency's service to you and all of Georgia.
Chuck Williams, cwilliams@gfc.state.ga.us; 478-751-3480. Gary White, gwhite@gfc.state.ga.us; 478-733-2603.
Forest Management Acorns

AgroForestry and Wildlife Field Day
9/20/18 Griffin, GA
Pine Straw Production - Stand Management and
Economics

GFC's Forest Health team reports Georgia's recent above average rainfall has likely contributed to fewer southern pine beetle outbreaks than expected. Fifty-nine SPB spots have been confirmed statewide. Activity was noted in rural south Georgia near the Florida border (Camden, Echols, Glynn and Charlton counties), in stands that had not been thinned or harvested. The other outbreak was in the urban counties of Fulton, Cobb and Cherokee. If you suspect SPB activity on your

10/2 - 10/3/18 Tifton, GA
Ladies for Their Land Workshop 10/19/18 Athens, GA
Forestry for NonForesters, Parts 1-2
10/23 - 10/25/18 Athens, GA
Prescribed Burn Certification Course
10/24 - 10/25/18 Athens, GA

property, contact your local GFC office. GFC's Water Quality team recently completed statewide firebreak
inspections for FY 2018. A total of 265 firebreaks installed by GFC personnel were checked to ensure the implementation of Best Management Practices. The statewide BMP implementation score was 94%, indicating GFC personnel are doing a good job of protecting water resources when installing firebreaks.
North Georgia landowners are getting an opportunity to receive free oak seedlings, under a "One Tree Planted" reforestation campaign. The non-profit group has donated money to fund the purchase of a designated number of oak tree seedlings from the GFC Nursery. They will be given to qualified applicants with two to 15 eligible acres of land in specified counties. The signup period opens August 6 and ends August 24. Approved applicants will be visited by a GFC forester to develop a tree planting plan for the acreage involved, and follow-ups will be conducted to ensure the plan is followed in the 2018-2019 planting season. To get more details and an application, contact your local GFC forester.
Approvals for the Huber Corporation's "Trees for Georgia" program will be announced by August 10. After GFC county foresters ensure the sites in a 22 county area around Huber's Commerce, GA mill are ready for tree planting, approved applicants will receive free pine seedlings from the GFC Nursery for the 2018-2019 season.

More Rain, More
Service!
Georgia's rainy summer has helped reduce the number of wildfires across the state. Over the last three months, 336 wildfires have occurred in Georgia, which is about 55% below normal for the period, and the forecast calls for that trend to continue. With subdued activity at home, GFC's Protection Department has had opportunities to enhance training and give support to western states in need. GFC personnel and equipment are assisting mostly in Texas, but personnel have also been deployed to Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma and Washington, with the needs for assistance expanding almost daily. In addition, we have been focusing on fire suppression and safety training for our wildland firefighters and performing maintenance on fire suppression equipment and vehicles. As fall approaches, we will continually monitor weather and wildfire activity and ensure our readiness to serve.
GA 2017 Forest Inventory Underway

The Georgia Forestry Commission's Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) team has sampled close to 1,000 plots and collected data on 83% of plots for inventory year 2017. Data collected includes measurements of acreage and wood volume, forestry types and ages, invasive and exotic species, site quality, slope, harvests and regeneration activities. Results provide critical information to the forestry community and support Georgia's economic development efforts. Analysts with the US Forest Service can track almost any forest trend needed with the use of this important tool. Data for 2017 should be posted to the USFS FIA website by the end of 2018. To see the most current data available, go to https://www.fia.fs.fed.us/tools-data/.
Reforestation Update
The GFC Reforestation Department has been busy working with our Management Department on two important tree programs. The Huber Corporation's "Trees for Georgia" campaign and the non-profit organization "One Tree Planted" campaign make it possible for qualified landowners to receive free GFC seedlings for the 2018-2019 planting season. This spring, rains and cooler temperatures boosted the growth of both pine and hardwood seedlings (along with a new fence that enhanced "crittercontrol!"). The dogwood crop is looking exceptionally good, contributing to sales that are ahead of pace for the year. Kudos to our GFC Nursery staff for all their hard work in the production of these healthy seedlings!
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