GFC eUpdate, 2019 December 4

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GFC eUpdate

Contents
Director's Corner
Forest Management Acorns
Wildfire Activity Public Viewer Portal Now Available
GA's Forest Industry Continues to Thrive
Reforestation Update
Upcoming Events
Exploring Energy in Ecosystems with PLT 01/03/20
Dry Branch, GA
2020 Timber Taxation Workshop 02/06/20 Tifton, GA
Woodland Stewards Webinar Series - Woodland Management: What is Right for You and Your
Woodland 02/06/20
Forestry Day at the Capitol 02/11/20
Atlanta, GA

Director's Corner
The season of gratitude and giving is well underway! As we count our blessings, we at the Georgia Forestry Commission want you to know how thankful we are for the strides you have enabled us to make in 2019.
Relationships are at the heart of all we do. It is our privilege to serve landowners across the state who nurture the amazing natural resource with which we are entrusted. Our steadfast partners are helping strengthen programs and initiatives that bring new value to Georgia by growing a sustainable commodity while planning for the needs of future generations. Two recent examples we're proud of are the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) and Shared Stewardship. Through the GNA we assist the US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service (USFS) by increasing management activities and timber harvests on our national forests. Shared Stewardship echoes that mission by formalizing long held commitments between the GFC, USFS and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Both agreements have the potential to greatly improve forest health and sustainability.
Finally, we recognize we could not serve our customers without our strong backbone of GFC employees. This team's faithfulness to our

agency mission and to personal integrity is simply unmatched.
Happy Holidays to all!
Forest
Management Acorns
Assistance programs created following Hurricane Michael are closing or are approaching completion. The deadline to apply for the state's timber tax credit program is December 31, 2019. Much of the $200 million in credits is still available. This program is limited to the 28 counties included in the Governor's disaster declaration area. The program applies to timber grown for the primary purpose of commercial production of food or wood or wood fiber products, so forests and orchards qualify. The tax credit is based on the diminution of timber value, not to exceed $400 per acre. To claim the credits, one must apply online through the GADOR's Georgia Tax Center. The application period has closed for the Forest Debris Management Program, however, the deadline to complete approved contracts has been extended to June 30, 2020. This is due to the wet winter of 2019, the magnitude of damage, and a limited amount of contractors. The (federal) USDA disaster relief package in the form of a state block grant is still in the works. The grant will help timber growers and other producers offset their uncovered losses from the storm. For more details, click here.
Wildfire Activity Public Viewer Portal Now Available

The latest information about wildfire activity in Georgia is now just a couple of keystrokes away. The GFC has activated its Wildfire Activity Public Viewer Portal.The portal is directly linked to the GFC's wildfire computer-aided dispatch system and software called FiResponse. If GFC is responding to the incident, the system syncs automatically and a variety of information can be accessed. Viewers will be able to see the fire location, whether the fire is active, contained or controlled, and when suppression is complete. Frequent "refreshing" of the site keeps the realtime data current. The Wildfire Viewer is supported by smartphone applications, however the display will be different than on other devices. The Wildfire Public Viewer can also be accessed at GaTrees.org.
GA's Forest Industry
Continues to Thrive
A new report shows Georgia's forest industry continues to stimulate the economy and bring great value to Georgians. According to the "2018 Economic Benefits of Forestry in Georgia," economic activity generated by Georgia's forest industry rose notably last year, as measured by output, employment and compensation:
Direct impacts increased 0.7%, 2.1% and 4.7%, respectively.

Total impacts increased 0.9%, 0.7% and 4.5%, respectively.
The industry again proved to be a huge economic driver for the state, with more than $36.2 billion in sales, supporting:
148,414 jobs, with over $9.1 billion in compensation paid to employees.
Georgia's forest industry generated $977 million in state government revenues.
Net revenues exceeded $109 million for the state budget,
an increase of 12.4% from 2017.
Georgia's pulp and paper industry continued to dominate all sectors within the forest industry. Source: 2018 Economic Benefits of the Forest Industry in Georgia. Enterprise Innovation Institute. Georgia Institute of Technology, November 2019.
Reforestation Update
The 2019-2020 planting season is looking good, so far. It's early, but the weather has been cooperating, unlike last season, when heavy rain was followed by extreme heat and drought. Many seedlings suffered because healthy root systems couldn't be established. Landowners replanting acreage due to losses have been busy with site prep and planning. As a result, loblolly pine seedlings are now in very short supply in some areas. For those below the fall line, fast-growing and fusiform rust-resistant slash pine seedlings are available. They are superior in straightness and other form characteristics. Many varieties of hardwood seedlings are also available. To see what's in stock, go to GaTrees.org, where you can also place an online order or download a seedling order form and order through the mail. You may also call the nursery direct at 478-5080056.

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