Honorable Nathan Deal, Governor 
Robert D. Farris, Director 
GEORGIA FORESTRY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 
Wesley Langdale, Chairman Jim L. Gillis, Jr. Jimmy Allen Victor Beadles Robert Pollard Earl Smith H.G. Yeomans 
 
 Forest Management.................................................................................................................................... 1 Forest Protection........................................................................................................................................ 7 Communications.........................................................................................................................................15 Forest Products Utilization, Marketing & Development...............................................................................16 Reforestation.............................................................................................................................................. 20 Administration.....................................................................................................................22 
 
 PROGRAM GOALS 
 
KEY ISSUES 
 
 The cooperative programs are administered and implemented through a partnership between the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), the USDA Forest Service and many other private and government entities. These programs promote the health and productivity of forest lands and rural economies. Emphasis focuses on forest sustainability and the production of commodity and amenity values such as wildlife, water quality and environmental services. 
 The overarching goal is to maintain and improve the health of urban and rural forests and related economies as well as to protect the forests and citizens of the state. These programs maximize cost effectiveness through the use of partnerships in program delivery, increase forestland value and sustainability, and do so in a voluntary and non-regulatory manner. 
 
 The GFC has been closely monitoring USEPA's Waters of the US proposed rule. The Southern Group of State Foresters issued comments in opposition of the proposed rule on behalf of GFC and the other twelve Southern State's forestry agencies. Also, GFC continues to monitor the NEDC vs Decker forest roads NPDES permitting case and potential companion legislation at the national level. The GFC is taking an active leadership role in other SE water resource issues including Cypress Silviculture and Silvicultural Exemption uses for activities in Waters of the US. GFCs Forestry Water Quality team has been involved in working with its Continuing Logger Education partners and has created an online capability for BMP education. 
 $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH 6RXWKHUQ :LOGUH 5LVN Assessment, Georgia has 11,768 communities at risk; of which 5,066 or 43 percent are rated KLJK RU YHU\ KLJK ULVN IURP ZLOGUHV 7ZHQW\ 
 
1 
 
 YH SHUFHQW RI *HRUJLDV ODQGVFDSH RU  ZHUHDFUHVSUHVFULEHGEXUQHGGXULQJWKH million acres, is categorized as Wildland Urban \HDUZLWKWKH*)&SURYLGLQJDVVLVWDQFHRQ 
 
Interface areas. In FY14, there were 112 homes ORVW RU KHDYLO\ GDPDJHG E\ ZLOGUH LQ *HRUJLD 
with another 3,242 saved by direct suppression 
actions by the GFC. 
 
acres. The GFC conducted four Prescribed Fire 0DQDJHU &HUWLFDWLRQ WUDLQLQJ VHVVLRQV 7KURXJK 5HGHVLJQ IXQGLQJ WKH *)& LV LQ WKH SURFHVV RI GHYHORSLQJ FRXQW\ZLGH &RPPXQLW\ :LOGUH 
 
Protection Plans (CWPPs) for 143 counties. We have 
 
 The reduction in the domestic use of wood initiated plans in 140 counties and have completed products highlights the need for new markets  &:33V WR GDWH7KH )HGHUDO ([FHVV 3HUVRQDO 
 
for forest products from private lands. Wood 
volume in standing pine saw timber has LQFUHDVHGE\ PLOOLRQJUHHQWRQVVLQFH 
2002, which indicates the need for lumber and 
 
Property Program assists Georgia in acquiring DQG SODFLQJ UH HTXLSPHQW LQ UXUDO FRPPXQLWLHV 
throughout the state. Through the Federal DOD )LUHJKWHU3URJUDPLQ)<WKH*)&DFTXLUHGRYHU 
 
other market development. Ecosystem service 241 individual pieces of equipment to support both values continue to evolve through voluntary *)&DQGORFDOFRXQW\DQGUHDQGHPHUJHQF\VHUYLFH 
 
markets and the increasing interest in green agencies with a combined asset value of $13.1 
 
business. 
 
million. In addition, the GFC administers Volunteer )LUH $VVLVWDQFH 3URJUDP IXQGV WR VXSSRUW WKH UH 
 
 Both new and existing forest product industries prevention and protection efforts of rural community DUHLQFUHDVLQJUHTXHVWVIRUVRXUFHVRIFHUWLHG UH GHSDUWPHQWV 7KURXJK WKH FRRUGLQDWLRQ E\ WKH 
 
wood, particularly from the bioenergy and paper GFCs Type II Incident Management Team (IMT) and 
 
sectors. Georgia ranks 3 rd among the southern our expanded dispatch section, the GFC was able to 6WDWHVLQWKLUGSDUW\FHUWLHGIRUHVWVZKLFKDUH SURYLGH1DWLRQDO:LOGODQGUHUHVSRQVHE\OOLQJ HQUROOHG LQ DQ\ RI WKH WKUHH PDMRU FHUWLFDWLRQ LQGLYLGXDO SHUVRQQHO UHVRXUFH RUGHUV RQ  ZLOGUH 
 
systems. This results in the need to educate incidents. IRUHVWRZQHUVRQWKHEHQHWVFRVWVDQGRWKHU 
 
details of the three systems. 
 
ECONOMIC ACTION 
 
 Georgia continues to support the retention of viable working forests through the support and development of conservation easements. 5HFHQW ODZ FKDQJHV LQ *HRUJLD QRZ DOORZ IRU the sale of state tax credits associated with the donation of conservation easements. In addition, there are new requirements for appraisals and other due diligence. We anticipate an increase in interest from private landowners seeking to retain their working forests. 
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 
COOPERATIVE FIRE PROTECTION 
7KHUH ZHUH ZLOGUHV WKDW EXUQHG RYHU  acres of private forestland during FY14. State Fire Assistance provided for the safety of Georgia's citizens by assuring they were protected from the threat of ZLOGUHV *)& HQIRUFHPHQW SHUVRQQHO LQYHVWLJDWHG ZLOGUHVUHVXOWLQJLQFULPLQDOFKDUJHV7KH*)& serviced 6,041requests and installed 31,235 miles RISUHVXSSUHVVLRQUHEUHDNVGXULQJWKH\HDU7KHUH 
 
The GFC continues to assist prospective companies with locating sites and analyzing forest resources in a cooperative manner with local and state economic development agencies. Staff provided assistance to 85 potential projects: 55 projects were bioenergy related; and 30 projects were traditional industry UHODWHG  5HVRXUFH UHSRUWV UHJDUGLQJ WLPEHU DQG biomass availability were provided to 13 companies as part of their feasibility analyses. In addition, 72 companies were provided site location assistance and other miscellaneous information. One new wood pellet mill (Hazlehurst Wood Pellets LLC) began operations during the year. Several other companies announced intentions to build wood pellet and biomass electricity plants in Georgia. Technical advice and marketing assistance services totaled 273, LQFOXGLQJFHUWLHGZRRGSURGXFWVDQGH[SRUWLQJDQG disseminating domestic and international trade leads to potential buyers and exporters. The 2014 Georgia Secondary Wood-Using Industries Directory (focused on secondary mills) was published. An assessment of the economic impact of forest manufacturing was completed, and it was determined that the industry 
 
2 
 
 UHVXOWV LQ  ELOOLRQ LQ RXWSXW DQG RYHU  jobs in Georgia. Formal presentations were provided to 17 groups with a total audience of 708 participants. The GFC completed a carbon sequestration project IRU )RUW %HQQLQJ *$ FRQVLVWLQJ RI  DFUHV Fort Benning is the 1st DOD base to undertake a forest carbon sequestration project. In addition, the *HRUJLD&DUERQ6HTXHVWUDWLRQ5HJLVWU\SURJUDPVWDII provided technical advice to 10 other landowners representing 1,015 acres of forest land. 
FOREST HEALTH 
The Forest Health Management Group provides VWDWHZLGHOHDGHUVKLSDQGJXLGDQFHWRFRQVXOWLQJUPV industry, natural resource managers, landowners, and Georgia Forestry Commission foresters on a wide range of forest health related issues. Georgia Forestry Commission foresters incorporated insect, disease, RU LQYDVLYH VSHFLHV DGYLVH LQWR  PDQDJHPHQW FDVHVLQYROYLQJDFUHVIRUWKH\HDU 
Each stewardship and tree farm plan written in the State of Georgia incorporates advice to landowners concerning forest health issues, and insect and disease advice is incorporated in each plan; 253 plans were presented to landowners with a total acreage of 65,140 acres. Statewide, forest health training was provided to foresters, resource managers, loggers, public works departments (state and county), nurserymen, regulatory agencies, and ODQGRZQHUVRQRFFDVLRQVZLWKDWWHQGHHV being reached. Additional surveys are conducted by the Forest Health staff to identify non-native pests seen as a potential threat to native species. These LQFOXGH HPHUDOG DVK ERUHU 5KL]RFWRQLD VHHGOLQJ blight, Sirex noctillio woodwasp, non-native bark beetles, gypsy moth, Heterobasidion root disease, thousand canker disease, hemlock woolly adelgid, and the pathogen (Phytopthora ramorum), which is responsible for substantial west coast tree mortality. 2XUIRUHVWKHDOWKVWDIIFRQGXFWHGYHUDGLRLQWHUYLHZV ZLWK*HRUJLD3XEOLF5DGLR*35 DQG1DWLRQDO3XEOLF 5DGLR 135  QLQH WHOHYLVLRQ LQWHUYLHZV ZHUH DOVR conducted in the Albany and Atlanta areas in 2014. 
FOREST LEGACY 
 
Georgia has leveraged three times the non- federal, cost-share funding required by the program. This has been accomplished through donations and state investments. A Quality Assurance Inspection showed that all Forest Legacy appraisals are reviewed to federal standards. 
FOREST STEWARDSHIP 
The Stewardship Program completed its 24th year of program delivery. This past year, the program FRQWLQXHG WR XQGHUJR VLJQLFDQW FKDQJHV :LWK the completion of the Statewide Assessment and subsequent Strategies, consultant plan contracting is limited to funds appropriated for designated priority areas or with limited funds for statewide use. Currently, the cumulative enrollment is 2,756 landowners covering 846,357 acres in Georgia. The cornerstone of the Forest Stewardship Program is the Forest Stewardship Plan developed for each landowner in the program. These plans evaluate the landowner's timber, wildlife, soil and water, scenic and recreational UHVRXUFHV DQG PDNH VSHFLF UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV RQ how these resources can be best managed. In an effort to streamline the plan development process, GFC created several written documents called hub articles which provide consistent and detailed information on several forest types. In addition to hub articles, GFC also created a set of fact sheets to aid plan writers and landowners in managing land and developed a web based portal for plan-writers to store and share common recommendations. The Georgia program has continued to develop partnerships with conservation organizations like the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) to broaden outreach efforts. These have been tremendously VXFFHVVIXO7KURXJKLWV&HUWLHG6WHZDUGGHVLJQDWLRQ FSP also recognizes landowners who demonstrated commitment to forest stewardship by doing an outstanding job of management on their property. New partnerships are being developed in an effort to broaden outreach further by hosting several landowner seminars, partnering with organizations that seek to increase outdoor recreation with handicap or underserved landowners, and groups that seek to improve wildlife habitat on private lands. 
 
Since being designated and approved as the state lead agency for the Forest Legacy program in 2002, the GFC has closed on 14 tracts totaling 28,061 acres. 
3 
 
 LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE 
In FY13, the GFC provided technical rural forest management assistance to 2,455 landowners managing 238,257 acres. Cost/Share Incentive Programs: GFC foresters provided technical assistance in developing 4,450 plans covering 267,448 acres under all programs the agency provides technical assistance. In addition, GFC foresters assisted with technical delivery of water quality, tree farm, invasive plants, and forest stewardship with 2,658 written recommendations covering 71,313 acres. 
FOREST DISEASES 
As of September 2014, the presence of LWD had EHHQ FRQUPHG LQ D WRWDO RI  FRXQWLHV LQ *HRUJLD mostly in redbay, but from early 2012 through September 2014, 7 of 13 new county detections were from sassafras trees in the absence of know redbay populations. This indicates that LWD can infect sassafras in the absence of redbay and may spread beyond previously predicted limits. As of December 2014, the disease front in Georgia extends about 150 miles to the northwest, 150 miles to the west, and 180 miles to the southwest from where it was originally discovered near Savannah and includes 40 counties, where approximately eight million acres of forest have been subjected to the disease. 
FOREST INSECTS 
,QDQHZUVWLQWURGXFWLRQRI7UHPH[ZRRGZDVS 7UHPH[IXVFLFRUQLV ZDVLGHQWLHG7KLVZRRGZDVSLVD pest of broadleaf trees, and prefers stressed trees that are dead or dying in its native range. Beech, poplar, elm, maple, willow, and oak are reported as hosts for this woodwasp, and in north Georgia this list covers many of the primary species in the forest. For this reason, the Georgia Forestry Commission is taking this introduction very seriously. 
Xyleborinus artestriatus - This new beetle is established in coastal Georgia. To date, no damage has been documented on native vegetation. Additional states have successfully trapped X. artestriatus, and it has EHHQFRQUPHGIURPVXUYH\VLQWKDW;DUWHVWULDWXV in established traps Savannah area. 
The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) survey was conducted for the eleventh consecutive year. HWA 
 
has now spread throughout the entire natural range of hemlock in Georgia and is now found in 14 mountain counties. Many of the eastern stands are experiencing rapid decline and mortality. Efforts are ongoing to educate professionals and homeowners on techniques to protect specimen and urban hemlocks with systemic insecticide treatments. The GFC supported predator beetle rearing labs with foliage collection and beetle release locations. 
The Thousand Canker Disease survey was conducted for the third year in Georgia to detect the spread of the walnut twig borer and the associated thousand cankers disease. No suspected thousand canker disease was found during the survey for 2014. 
FOREST INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS 
During FY13, Georgia's FIA Foresters collected data on a total of 1,054 plots. Of these, 46 plots were newly-installed National Forest Plots (in the Mountain region of Georgia) with Downed Woody Debris added. Downed Woody Debris collection was also added to 30 plots surrounding the National Forests WRKHOSLQFUHDVHUHSUHGLFWLRQPRGHODFFXUDF\)LIW\ Nine of the plots were P2 plus Plots that have added crown variables to each tree, downed woody debris RQHDFKVXESORWDQGYHJHWDWLYHSUROHVFROOHFWHGRQ each subplot. A percentage of the completed plots are checked for accuracy and the average accuracy IRU *HRUJLDV ),$ IRUHVWHUV ZDV  SHUFHQW IRU WKH VFDO \HDU *)& ZDV YHU\ FORVH WR PHHWLQJ SORW completion goals, but remained about one month behind schedule due to employee turnover, training new hires and the added National Forest Plots. GFC has reduced its number of FIA Foresters to 10 (down from 12) due to reduced funding. 
INVASIVE PLANTS 
Many invasive plants cause problems within Georgia; our efforts have focused on Cogongrass and Chinese privet. In 2014, the GFC continued the Invasive Plant Control Cost Share Program assisting landowners with control of targeted invasive species. Landowners were awarded contracts to control Chinese privet, Chinaberry, Japanese climbing fern, and Chinese Tallowtree onprivate lands across Georgia. All contracts have been completed and a total of 220 Georgia landowners with 6,660 acres of nonnative invasive were served under this program. 
 
4 
 
 This program will hold another signup period in 2015 with an emphasis placed on funding landowners in a seventeen county area organized under the Coastal Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA). 
7KHUH KDYH EHHQ  QHZ FRJRQJUDVV LQIHVWDWLRQ sites reported and treated by the Georgia Forestry &RPPLVVLRQ GXULQJ WKLV VFDO \HDU &RQUPHG detections of cogongrass decreased 2014 which has been a steady downward trend since 2012. In Georgia, 205 acres of cogongrass have been treated with all known sites being sprayed at least once. $SSUR[LPDWHO\  RI DOO NQRZQ VLWHV DUH EHLQJ reported as negative for cogongrass, and 437 sites (Of the 853) have been declared eradicated. An information newsletter is posted semi-annually on the GFC homepage and is e-mailed to landowners and partners across the Southeast. This newsletter contains reminders for landowners to be vigilant for new infestations of cogongrass, gives pictures IRU LGHQWLFDWLRQ SXUSRVHV DQG SURYLGHV DQ XSGDWH on the current status of cogongrass infestations in Georgia. 
MINORITY OUTREACH 
The GFCs Minority Outreach Program provides outreach and assistance to minority and underserved and owners. The goal is to enhance awareness of GFC programs and services. In FY 2012 the GFC Minority Outreach Program was active through including all landowners with any outreach offered by the GFC. 
WATER QUALITY 
 
to be involved in the Governors Comprehensive Water Plan Study Committee and State Forester 5REHUW)DUULVLVDPHPEHURIWKH6WDWH:DWHU&RXQFLO The individual regional plans have been developed and address water quantity and quality issues. As UHTXLUHG E\ VWDWH ODZ WKH 5HJLRQDO &RXQFLOV KDYH continued to meet periodically with GFC foresters attending as needed. 
URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY 
,Q )< *HRUJLD KDG  7UHH &LW\ 86$ communities, 13 Tree Campus USA schools and one Tree Line USA utility. 
Funds from the Urban & Community Forestry Assistance program were redirected in FY-2014 due to an overall decrease in Federal funds and fewer applications from new partners. The GFC used the federal funding to contract with the Georgia Urban Forest Council to utilize circuit-rider arborists to make personal visits and assist communities to develop community forestry programs. Services provided included revising tree ordinances, conducting hazardous tree assessments, preparing storm mitigation plans, conducting tree inventories and training municipal tree care workers. Additional services provided by the circuit riders included FRQGXFWLQJ WZR &HUWLHG $UERULVW 5HYLHZ FODVVHV These classes were held over two days and trained 80 tree care workers and potential arborists. U&CF funding was also used to complete two making the Shade projects which planted 33 trees around two schools to shade playground equipment and provide a healthier play environment. 
 
)XQGHGWKURXJKWKH(3$6HFWLRQJUDQWSURJUDP 
the GFC Water Quality program is staffed with one VWDWH FRRUGLQDWRU IRXU 5HJLRQDO 6SHFLDOLVWV DQG 
seven district/area water quality foresters. During 
FY14, GFC water quality foresters provided 113 BMP 
talks to 2,420 people. In addition, GFC water quality IRUHVWHUV SXW RQ  HOG GD\ %03 GHPRQVWUDWLRQV 
with 257 in attendance. These water quality foresters 
investigated 57complaints requiring 122 site visits to PHGLDWH FRPSODLQWV$SSUR[LPDWHO\  SUHKDUYHVW 
site visits were made. GFC water quality foresters FRPSOHWHGWKHWK6WDWHZLGH6LOYLFXOWXUDO%036XUYH\ GXULQJ )< WDUJHWLQJ DSSUR[LPDWHO\  UDQGRPO\ 
selected sites. BMP implementation statewide was IRXQGWREHSHUFHQWRYHUDOO7KH*)&FRQWLQXHV 
 
The SCFP also continued to provide technical advice through the Ask the Arborist (ATA) project to communicate more effectively with homeowners across the state and to provide citizens with timely, XQELDVHG LQIRUPDWLRQ IURP D *)&FHUWLHG DUERULVW GFC received funding to help create and expand the American Grove, www. AmericanGrove.org, a social networking website that reaches consumers with tree EHQHWV PHVVDJHV DQG HQFRXUDJHV WKHP WR WDNH action and plant trees. 
The Okefenokee Swamp and surrounding coastal plain region is a biologically diverse area that includes working forests and farms, pristine estuaries and FRDVWDO FRPPXQLWLHV 5DSLG JURZWK GHYHORSPHQW 
 
5 
 
 and conversion of these natural areas to other uses WKUHDWHQWKLVXQLTXHUHJLRQ:LWK5HGHVLJQIXQGLQJD web based Green Infrastructure Mapping ToolKit was developed to work with the Green Infrastructure (GI) Management System Guidebook to identify, link and collectively manage these diverse ecosystems was GHYHORSHG LQ SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK WKH &RDVWDO 5HJLRQDO Commission. SCFP also provided assistance to GEMA and FEMA after the 2014 federally declared ice storm. SCFP foresters provided debris estimations and woody GHEULV UHPRYDO JXLGDQFH LQ  LPSDFWHG FRXQWLHV Following this ice storm, SCFP deployed an Urban Forest Strike Team to assist the community of Waynesboro with hazardous tree assessments. In addition, a mock deployment of the Urban Forest Strike team was organized by SCFP. The deployment was held in Savannah in conjunction with Chatham County EMA and included participants from eight other states. 
6 
 
 WILDFIRE ACTIVITY 
:LOGUHRFFXUUHQFHODVW\HDUZDVWKHORZHVWRQUHFRUG VLQFH\HDUV DQGWKHth on record for acres burned in the same time frame. We experienced  ZLOGUHV LQ )< WKDW EXUQHG  DFUHV LQ Georgia. We recognize that the increased amount of rainfall contributed to this reduction however we also have had years where rainfall equaled or was above ZKDW ZH H[SHULHQFHG EXW ZLOGUH QXPEHUV ZHUH above FY14. We contribute part of the reduction to RXULQFUHDVHGUHSUHYHQWLRQHIIRUWV/(HQIRUFHPHQW and public education efforts throughout the state but most especially in areas where historically we have H[SHULHQFHGKLJKZLOGUHRFFXUUHQFH 
 
Year Total Burn Assist Number Total Burn Assist Acre 
 
2010 1,864 148,237 
 
2011 
 
2012 
 
1,851 1,666  146,572 
 
2013 
 
2014 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Pre-suppression plowing and harrowing services for )< GURSSHG EHORZ WKH UH \HDU DYHUDJH IRU ERWK 
number of landowners serviced as well as the total KRXUVPLOHVRIUHEUHDNVLQVWDOOHG:HFRQWULEXWHWKLV 
reduction to the unusually wet soil conditions in the fall DQGZLQWHUVHDVRQZKHQW\SLFDOO\UHEUHDNVVHUYLFHV 
are rendered. In FY14 the GFC performed a total of 
5,054 plowing/harrowing services for landowners in WKHVWDWHZKLFKHTXDWHVWRPLOHVRIUHEUHDNV 
installed by GFC professionals. 
 
Year Total Plowing Serviced Total Plowing Miles Total Harrowing Serviced Total Harrowing Miles 
 
2010   2,607 15,018 
 
2011  13,338 3,365 20,583 
 
2012 3,260    
 
2013 3,083  3,148 18,845 
 
2014 2,428 11,725 2,626 17,330 
 
WILDFIRE PREVENTION 
 
COUNTY AND DISTRICT OFFICE OPERATIONS 
(YHQWKRXJKZHVWDUWHGRXWWKHUVWKDOIRIWKHVFDO year with some pretty undesirable prescribed burning conditions, the fuel and weather conditions began to change, especially during the months of Jan thru May, which provided opportunities for good prescribed EXUQLQJ 7KH *)& SURYLGHG  EXUQ DVVLVWV IRU ODQGRZQHUVLQ*HRUJLDWRWDOLQJDERXWDFUHVRU DERXWRIWKHWRWDODFUHVEXUQHG:KHQFRPSDUHG WR WKH YH \HDU DYHUDJH WKH QXPEHUV RI EXUQ DVVLVW were above average with the total acres burned increasing approx. 2,000 acres above average. 
 
Another year of above normal precipitation provided ORZHU QXPEHUV RI KXPDQ FDXVHG ZLOGUHV WR RFFXU statewide, but the Georgia Forestry Commission continued with diligence in educating citizens, county JRYHUQPHQWV UH GHSDUWPHQW SHUVRQQHO DQG RWKHU state and federal agencies about the high risk of ZLOGUHVLQWKHIXWXUH 
7ZR QHZ WHPSRUDU\ 5HJLRQDO :LOGUH 3UHYHQWLRQ Specialists have been added to the Community :LOGUH 3ODQQLQJ VWDII LQFOXGLQJ  0DUN :LOHV ZKR has been working in our Coosa District and the eastern portions of the Oconee District & Beryl Budd who has been working in the Metro-Atlanta area, Chattahoochee District and the western portions of the Oconee District. Both were tasked with assisting KLJKULVNFRPPXQLWLHVZLWKUHSODQQLQJDQGPLWLJDWLRQ 
 
7 
 
 The Career Development Initiative (CDI) has provided individuals from across the state who has taken on additional duties as their district Fire Prevention and Mitigation Coordinator. Over the course of past 12 months our district coordinators have been included LQVXSSOHPHQWDOUHSUHYHQWLRQDQG)LUHZLVHWUDLQLQJ to include: P301, Fire Prevention Planning; P310, National Fire Prevention Team Member; The National Fire Protection Association's Home Ignition Zone Course; and many online Wildland Urban Interface trainings. Their additional assistance has helped gain DVWURQJIRRWKROGIRUUHSUHYHQWLRQDWWKHORFDOFRXQW\ level across Georgia and has made a huge impact at FRQWLQXLQJWRUHGXFHZLOGUHV 
Two National Fire Prevention and Education Teams ZHUHGHSOR\HGWKLV\HDU7KHUVWWHDPZDVGHSOR\HG in Polk and Haralson Counties with the mission of HGXFDWLQJSURSHUW\RZQHUVDERXWWKHEHQHWDQGXVH RISUHVFULEHGUH7KHVHFRQGWHDPZDVGHSOR\HGWR White, Habersham, and Stephens Counties in order to make homeowners aware of the Firewise Program. Both were interagency teams, including individuals from the Georgia Forestry Commission, US Forest Service, Department of the Interior, and State Fire 0DUVKDOV2IFH 
*)&DJDLQSURYLGHGUHSUHYHQWLRQHIIRUWVWKURXJKODUJH events across the state including: The Georgia Mountain )DLU0RXOWULH6XQEHOW([SRWKH%XFND5DPD)LVKD 5DPD7XUNH\D5DPD*HRUJLD1DWLRQDO)DLULQ3HUU\ and Georgia Outdoor Expo in Gwinnett. 
The agency took advantage of using a few local publications for Fire Prevention and Mitigation outreach The Georgia Outdoor News, Georgia Magazine, and Farm Bureau publications made large impact on audiences across that state. 
COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLANS (CWPP) 
The Forest Protection Department received US Forest Service redesign grant funding beginning in ODWHWRSURPRWH&RPPXQLW\:LOGUH3URWHFWLRQ Plans statewide. The Georgia Forestry Commission concluded this grant cycle on March 31st, 2014. Though our CWPP grant funding has concluded, emphasis has still been placed by the agency on creation and renewal of plans statewide. 
 
UH DJHQFLHV KRPHRZQHUV DGMDFHQW ODQGRZQHUV and other interested parties. This planning enables counties in Georgia to address their development patterns in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and determine how they can begin to reduce their risk. 
As of June 30th, 2014 the program had completed RI*HRUJLDVFRXQW\SODQV7KURXJKDJUHDW partnership with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency it has now been made mandatory for all counties to complete or renew their CWPP as part of the county's Hazard Mitigation Plan. A goal of one hundred percent completion has been set for FY15. 
FIREWISE & FIRE ADAPTED COMMUNITIES PROGRAMS 
7KH)LUHZLVH&RPPXQLWLHV86$5HFRJQLWLRQ3URJUDP is a process that empowers neighbors to work together LQUHGXFLQJWKHLUZLOGUHULVN-RLQWKHJURZLQJQHWZRUN of more than 1,028 recognized Firewise communities taking action and ownership in preparing and protecting WKHLUKRPHVDJDLQVWWKHWKUHDWRIZLOGUH 
Georgia's program has grown extensively this year WR LQFOXGH  QHZ FRPPXQLWLHV 7KH DGGLWLRQ RI WKH two new part-time staff members has allowed our program to grow into new areas of the state. Georgia currently has 58 Firewise, USA communities and it tied with Florida for the 7th most in the nation. 
Along with these new communities the Fire Adapted &RPPXQLWLHV FRQFHSW HPHUJHG LQ *HRUJLD $ UH adapted community incorporates people, buildings, businesses, infrastructure, cultural resources, and natural areas into the effort to prepare for the effects RI ZLOGODQG UH &RPPXQLW\ OHDGHUV DQG UHVLGHQWV DFFHSWUHVSRQVLELOLW\IRUOLYLQJLQDQDUHDZLWKZLOGUH hazards. They have the knowledge and skills and have adopted tools and behaviors to prepare in DGYDQFHIRUWKHLUFRPPXQLW\VUHVLOLHQFHLQDZLOGUH prone environment. 
Georgia's Towns County was selected late last year to serve as one of nine pilot communities nationwide. With the help of the Georgia Forestry Commission and the US Forest Service this new concept model has really enjoyed great success in becoming "Fire Adapted". 
 
A CWPP provides a community or county road map 7KH *HRUJLD 6WDWH )LUH 0DUVKDOV 2IFH DGRSWHG WRUHGXFHLWVULVNIURPZLOGUH$&:33LVGHVLJQHG the 2012 International Code Council Wildland Urban through collaboration between state, local, and federal Interface Code. The Georgia Forestry Commission, 
8 
 
 since the state's adoption, has worked in conjunction ZLWK 6WDWH )LUH 0DUVKDOV 2IFH WR EHJLQ HGXFDWLQJ WKHFRXQW\FRPPLVVLRQHUVDQGUHSHUVRQQHODFURVV the state about the code and who they can begin to utilize this code to assist in reducing the risk of home loss in the WUI. 
MECHANICAL FUEL TREATMENT PROGRAM 
GFC's mechanical fuel treatment offers safe and effective FRQWURORIXQGHUVWRU\YHJHWDWLRQWKDWFDQPDNHZLOGUH mitigation and control a struggle. These powerful tools churn through places unsuited for traditional methods such as prescribed burning and chemical treatment. Mechanical fuel treatment is ideal for areas in the wildland-urban interface, land near gas lines, power lines, rights of way and other smoke-sensitive areas. 
Six District CDI Coordinators were created throughout the state of help manage and operate the new equipment. These coordinators along with county rangers across the state have mechanically treated nearly 1000 acres. 
 
experience, equipment acquisitions, and the hard work of our Investigators, the program has become highly recognized throughout the southeast United States. 
During the 2013-2014 Georgia General Assembly 6HVVLRQ+RXVH%LOOZDVSDVVHGDQGVLJQHGLQWR law by Governor Nathan Deal. The bill, affectionately known as the Timber Security Bill, became effective on July 1st, 2014. The main purpose of the bill was to strengthen the credibility of Georgia's timber harvesting operations while also protecting our forest landowners. The new law provides a four year statute of limitations for recovering damages from an authorized timber harvest. Civil penalties for unauthorized harvests have been increased, with treble damages available to victim landowners along with attorney fees and reforestation costs. A method of reducing civil liability for landowners during a timber harvest was also created in the law. The scale ticket law was updated, with the biggest change requiring tickets be provided to landowners within 20 days. 
 
TYPE II INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 
Over 100 professional participate in and are on the roster for GFC's Incident Management Team. Many of the Team's members are within the Trainee and $SSUHQWLFH SKDVHV RI TXDOLFDWLRQ GHYHORSPHQW 7KLV is an important aspect of IMT management to ensure Team sustainability and succession training for the future. 
 
7KH PRVW VLJQLFDQW SRUWLRQ RI +% LQ UHIHUHQFH to the Georgia Forestry Commission, was the changes to the authority of GFC Law Enforcement Investigators. Investigators are now authorized to enforce any law relating to the protection, security, conservation, or sale of forestry or timber resources. 7KLV FKDQJH LV D VLJQLFDQW DGGLWLRQ DV *)& /DZ Enforcement responsibilities now include all aspects of timber security. 
 
The GFC IMT continues to hold national status GFC Law Enforcement continues to work under a however no Team assignments were made in FY14 86)6 5HGHVLJQ *UDQW DZDUGHG LQ  WR GHYHORS 
 
on a state or federal level. Many Team members a southern area arson task force. In August 2013, 
 
did participate within the Georgia Emergency more than 40 forestry investigators from the southern 
 
Management Agency's hurricane exercise this year states met in Georgia for a second week long training 
 
in various support functions. Team members also seminar and continue to work on an organizational 
 
participated as lead and unit level instructors for plan. A third training seminar is scheduled for 
 
various statewide training opportunities as well as September of 2014 to build on the advanced training 
 
participated in two national level training sessions UHODWHG WR ZLOGODQG UH EHKDYLRU DQG WUDFWRUSORZ 
dozer operations and safety. One statewide IMT 
 
for the southern forestry investigators. ,Q-XQH*)&ZDVDZDUGHGDQRWKHU)LUHJKWHUV 
 
meeting was held in FY14 where Team members Assistance Grant. This grant was the third such award 
 
evaluated deployment procedures, training needs for GFC Law Enforcement in the past four years, 
 
and IMT operational procedures. 
 
totaling more than $376,000 for the improvement of WKHUHLQYHVWLJDWLRQSURJUDP7UDLQLQJIXQGLQJIURP 
 
LAW ENFORCEMENT 
 
this grant allowed the Law Enforcement Department 
 
to teach a Wildland Fire Observations and Origin Georgia Forestry Commission's Law Enforcement 6FHQH3URWHFWLRQIRU)LUVW5HVSRQGHUV), DQG 
 
continues toward its goal to become the best forestry a Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination investigation program in the nation. Through training, ),  WR *)& UH FRQWURO SHUVRQQHO $GGLWLRQDO 
 
9 
 
 equipment was purchased including evidence collections supplies, night vision, and vehicle storage systems. 
One of the most important projects of the FFA Grant was a campaign to address the increased number of LQMXULHVDQGIDWDOLWLHVRQZLOGUHVDQGGHEULVEXUQVWKDW Georgia has experienced in recent years. A media outreach operation included utilizing publications with high subscription to our target population. The Georgia Farm Bureau Television program, Farm Monitor, was a JUHDWSDUWQHUDQGDVVLVWHGE\OPLQJDQGEURDGFDVWLQJ a segment about the problem and how Georgian can reduce their risk. 
 
tones to eliminate the interference and unwanted noise and will try to push that out early FY 2015. GFC 5DGLR &RPPXQLFDWLRQV ZDV LQYLWHG WR DVVLVW LQ WZR statewide exercises hosted by GEMA, to help provide tactical communications in case of a weather or terrorism event, to support GFC and other agencies. 
Mother nature has also provided us with some working opportunities. We have had weather related repairs at seven out of ten control stations (some more than RQFH  DQG QLQH FRXQW\ XQLWV  5HSDLUV WR PRELOH DQG portable radios were about the same as last year, which have been a little lower, due to milder overall UHDFWLYLW\ 
 
From July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, GFC 
Investigators opened a total of 86 cases. There were UHLQYHVWLJDWLRQVVL[UHLQYHVWLJDWLRQVLQYROYLQJD IDWDOLW\  DUVRQ LQYHVWLJDWLRQV DQG YH RWKHU FDVHV 
(aggravated assault, theft, etc.). Those investigations UHVXOWHG LQ WKUHH FULPLQDO FKDUJHV EHLQJ OHG DJDLQVW 
suspects. Investigators were only able to investigate DVPDOOSRUWLRQOHVVWKDQ RIWKHLQFHQGLDU\ UHV *)& UHSRUWHG GXULQJ )LVFDO <HDU  *)& 
Law Enforcement obtained a combined total of 673 
hours of law enforcement training recognized by *HRUJLD 3HDFH 2IFHUV 6WDQGDUGV RI 7UDLQLQJ 7KLV 
represents the high standard and personal dedication 
the GFC Investigators have for the Law Enforcement 
Department. 
 
7KH&',FRRUGLQDWRUVIRU5DGLR&RPPXQLFDWLRQVZHUH chosen with periodic openings due to employment changes. Goals were established, met, and in many cases exceeded. Communications working team (CWT) members installed, repaired, or changed over 150 radios this last year, not including antennas DQG RIFH UHPRWHV &:7 PHPEHUV KDYH DWWHQGHG essential training when available. 
:HKDYHVWDUWHGDWUDQVLWLRQIURP%.5HOP5DGLRVWR Midland Brand radios. This decision was not entered into lightly. There was much discussion, investigation, and demonstration involved before this change was decided on and it will coincide with our inventory replacement schedule. 
 
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS 
*HRUJLD)RUHVWU\&RPPLVVLRQ5DGLR&RPPXQLFDWLRQV is responsible for maintaining a reliable radio communications infrastructure, consisting of 70 UHSHDWHU VLWHV  WUDFWRU UDGLRV  HHW YHKLFOH radios, 405 portable radios, and 140 base radios. All of these systems interact with the 10 control stations strategically positioned across the state that DOORZ WKH XQLWV WR FRPPXQLFDWH ZLWK RXU 5HVSRQVH &HQWHUVZKHQVXSSUHVVLQJZLOGUHVFRQGXFWLQJEXUQ operations, or responding to various incidents that threaten the domestic tranquility of Georgia's citizens. 
FY 2014 proved yet again to be a very busy year, with the completion of the narrow banding project, and the many other radio missions in progress. We changed WKH DLU IUHTXHQF\ FRQJXUDWLRQ D FRXSOH RI WLPHV WR improve air communications, with successful results. We have been working constantly to get a useable frequency program for mobile, base, and portable radios to improve communications by using digital 
 
Base radio towers were added in Bartow and Dade Counties as they were new construction units. A tower was added in Polk County due to damage caused to the building by the existing tower that had to be removed. One repeater was relocated in Screven County to add height and more security with a backup power plan. A repeater was added on the Sidney Lanier Bridge that will go into use in FY2015. There are plans to add more repeaters in needed areas as funds become available. These changes were made to enhance and extend service in the affected areas around the sites listed. 
The grounding projects for the Flint District County Units were completed in FY2014, this was a very large task handled well by the CDI coordinators and the Flint District personnel. Other districts are looking at their grounding needs for the upcoming year. 
5DGLR &RPPXQLFDWLRQV SHUVRQQHO ORRN IRUZDUG WR VHUYLQJ LQ D ODUJHU FDSDFLW\ LQ WKH XSFRPLQJ VFDO 
 
10 
 
 year, to help make the entire operation work Faster, Friendlier, and Easier for the Georgia Forestry Commission. 
REGIONAL RESPONSE CENTERS 
'XULQJ )< WKH 5HJLRQDO 5HVSRQVH &HQWHUV issued 24,274 burning permits statewide; accounting IRU  RI WKH EXUQLQJ SHUPLWV LVVXHG 7KLV LV DQ LQFUHDVHRYHUODVW\HDU 
7KH 5HVSRQVH &HQWHUV KDG VHYHUDO FKDQJHV WDNH place during FY2014. One of the changes that took place was the implementation of the new GFC Flight 7UDFNLQJVRIWZDUH6SLGHU7UDFNV$OVRWKH5HVSRQVH Centers began working with the newly updated IPICS UDGLR VRIWZDUH 2QH RI WKH PRVW EHQHFLDO FKDQJHV was the newly created repeater check database. Each GD\ VSHFLHG GLVWULFWV DQG UHSHDWHUV DUH FKHFNHG to ensure that they are operating properly. This information is visible by all GFC personnel and allows WKHHOGWRVHHZKHQWKHLUUHSHDWHUZDVODVWFKHFNHG and which unit performed the radio check. Any issues ZLWK UDGLR FRPPXQLFDWLRQV DUH UHSRUWHG WR WKH 5DGLR Communications staff for investigation. 
7KH 5HVSRQVH &HQWHUV GLVSDWFKHG UHVRXUFHV DQG personnel to 5,870 calls during FY2014 which resulted LQZLOGUHV 
STATEWIDE AIR OPERATIONS 
While maintaining our overall mission of detecting ZLOGUHV DQG VXSSRUWLQJ VXSSUHVVLRQ HIIRUWV 7KH$LU Operations unit has continued to focus on the overall JRDORIEHLQJDVDIHUPRUHHIFLHQWDQGPRUHHIIHFWLYH aviation unit. The past year provided the opportunity to UHQHRXUSURFHVVHVLPSURYHRXUV\VWHPVDQGWUDLQ our personnel. 
 
Air Operations strives to train and qualify cooperators within the state that might participate with us on an incident. In line with that we continued to cooperate ZLWK WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI 1DWXUDO 5HVRXUFHV E\ FRQGXFWLQJ[HGZLQJQLJKWLJKWVLQVXSSRUWRIWKHLU /DZ(QIRUFHPHQW'LYLVLRQWDXJKWEDVLFUHEHKDYLRU DQG UHJKWLQJ WDFWLFV WR WKH$UP\ 1DWLRQDO *XDUG and participated in the Hurrex hurricane preparedness exercise. We also participated in ALEA (Airborne Law Enforcement Association) training, and hosted a GPSA (Georgia Public Safety Aviators) training event, maintained contact with the other state/local agencies and started the preparations for this year's training event. 
7KH LJKW IROORZLQJ SURJUDP ZDV GHYHORSHG IXUWKHU E\ UHQLQJ UDGLR SURWRFROV DQG LQVWDOOLQJ D PRUH reliable and more user friendly tracking system. This has resulted in improved dispatching capabilities, LQFUHDVHGVDIHW\DQGUHGXFHGUDGLRWUDIF 
$LU 2SHUDWLRQV SLORWV UHSRUWHG  ZLOGUHV DQG ZRUNHG  ZLOGUHV UHSRUWHG  FRQWUROOHG EXUQV and checked over 17,500 controlled burns. The Air Operations Maintenance Team performed 30 )$$ LQVSHFWLRQV DQG UHVSRQGHG WR  XQVFKHGXOHG maintenance events. 
Next year's goals include continued safety improvements through attaining additional ratings and licensing for pilots, improving and replacing aging HTXLSPHQW FRQGXFWLQJ D OLYH UH WUDLQLQJ HYHQW ZLWK cooperator agencies, and exploring opportunities for PLVVLRQ GLYHUVLFDWLRQ :H KRSH WR QG RXUVHOYHV utilized more throughout the agency as other departments realize the capabilities we have and the services we can render. 
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) 
 
$LU 2SHUDWLRQV LQ FRRUGLQDWLRQ ZLWK WKH 5HVSRQVH &HQWHUVGHYHORSHGDQHZ(PHUJHQF\5HVSRQVH3ODQ (53 DVDVXSSOHPHQWWRRXULJKWRSHUDWLRQVPDQXDO 
This was done in an effort to enhance our abilities to 
respond to an incident or accident as effectively as 
possible. Quarterly and annual training programs were 
continued and improved upon. The unit participated in 
over 800 total hours of training this past year. Some H[DPSOHVRIWUDLQLQJLQFOXGH*%:)ZLOGODQGUHJKWHU 57 LQWHUDJHQF\ DYLDWLRQ FRXUVHV ,$7  FHUWLHG LJKWLQVWUXFWRUUHIUHVKHUFRXUVHVDQGPDQ\RWKHUV$V 
a result of the high level of participation the majority of 
Air Ops employees realized advancement in CDI level. 
 
GIS is a section of the Forest Protection Department dedicated to geospatial support and analysis using GIS technology for planning, mitigation, preparedness, LQFLGHQW UHVSRQVH DQG PDQDJLQJ RI UH SURJUDPV The GIS program focuses on internal and external customers that include GFC personnel using GIS produced maps and analysis to protect the life, property, and natural resources of Georgia by responding to ZLOGUHVDQGLPSOHPHQWLQJSUHYHQWLRQSURJUDPV 
Preparedness, planning, incident response, and mitigation are all important functions of managing ZLOGUH SURJUDPV  *,6 FDQ SURYLGH IDVW HIFLHQW 
 
11 
 
 analysis, and data dissemination. This allows the GFC WRGHYHORSUHSODQVHQKDQFHVLWXDWLRQDODZDUHQHVV develop mitigation strategies, optimize resource placement and allocation, and support incident management with mapping and analysis. 
Georgia's growing population increases the challenge RI WKH XUEDQ LQWHUIDFH LQ UHJKWLQJ ,PSURYHG *,6 Technology could reduce the number of acres burned while allowing for better coordination to aid in protecting life and property within the urban interface. 
GIS continues to support the Community Protection Grant to meet US Forest Service documentation requirements. The Community Protection Grant provides funding for hazard reduction prescribed burning or mechanical fuel treatment within a 10 mile buffer of US Forest Service land. The US Forest Service is requires geospatial data for each treatment. The GIS VWDIIFRPSLOHVDERXQGDU\VKDSHOHIRUHDFKSUHVFULEHG EXUQRUPHFKDQLFDOIXHOWUHDWPHQWIRUWKHVFDO\HDU$ WRWDO RI  VKDSHOHV LQ )< ZHUH VXEPLWWHG WR WKH USFS to meet the documentation requirement. 
The GIS program continues to map GFC assets, such as unit and equipment locations, to assist with closest resource response coordination. The GIS staff can run a network analysis tool to determine 45 minute response coverage from a unit, average response WLPHWRUHVZLWKLQD\HDUDQGDYHUDJHUHVSRQVHWLPH for rangers to drive from their home to the unit. This analysis can assist decisions on current and future unit placements across the state. Analysis for initial UHVSRQVH GLVWDQFH IURP 5DQJHU UHVLGHQFHV WR *)& Forestry Units is to identify response times and for analyzing policies on call-back pay. 
GIS supports FMAG applications such as identifying and mapping homes, structures and public infrastructures DWULVNIURPDFWLYHZLOGUHV$OVRDVVLVWDQFHLVSURYLGHG RQODUJHUHVXSSRUWRUDOOKD]DUGLQFLGHQWVIRU,QFLGHQW Management operations such as Winter Storm Pax. 
GIS also assists with the maintenance needs of the 6RXWKHUQ :LOGUH 5LVN $VVHVVPHQW DQG WKH UROORXW RI 6RXWK:5$3 6RXWK:5$3 LV D QHZ DSSOLFDWLRQ developed by the Timmons Groups with the collaboration of the thirteen Southern state forestry DJHQFLHV86)RUHVW6HUYLFH5HJLRQ 86)LVKDQG :LOGOLIH 6HUYLFH 6RXWKHDVW 5HJLRQ %XUHDX RI ,QGLDQ $IIDLUV (DVWHUQ 5HJLRQ  6RXWKHUQ 3ODLQV 5HJLRQ  1DWLRQDO 3DUN 6HUYLFH 6RXWK:5$3 LV WKH SULPDU\ mechanism for the Southern Group of State Foresters 
 
6*6)  WR PDNH ZLOGUH ULVN LQIRUPDWLRQ DYDLODEOH DQG FUHDWH DZDUHQHVV DERXW ZLOGUH LVVXHV IRU WKH 6RXWKHUQ VWDWHV  5HVXOWV RI WKH 6:5$ FDQ EH XVHG to help prioritize areas in the state where tactical analyses, community interaction and education, or mitigation treatments might be necessary to reduce ULVN IURP ZLOGUHV$ORQJ ZLWK WKLV *,6 VXSSRUWV WKH &:33&RPPXQLW\:LOGUH3URWHFWLRQ3ODQ 3URJUDP A CWPP provides a community with a road map of its ULVNIURPZLOGUH 
The GIS Program is exploring the potential technology to provide live tracking of resources. This will increase DELOLW\ IRU SHUVRQQHO WR JKW UH LQ D VDIHU DQG PRUH effective manner. This technology will help protect life, property, and the natural resources of the state of Georgia. Currently, we are assisting GFC Information Technology personnel with a demo of this technology. We will be assisting in the testing of software developed by CTS America within the Southeastern part of Georgia. 
The GFC is represented by the GIS Program for interagency committees and GIS Groups. These committees and groups include: Georgia GIS &RRUGLQDWLQJ&RPPLWWHH*,6&& 8UEDQDQG5HJLRQDO ,QIRUPDWLRQ 6\VWHPV $VVRFLDWLRQ 85,6$  6RXWKHUQ Group of State Foresters GIS Committee, Southern :LOGUH 5LVN $VVHVVPHQW 6WHHULQJ &RPPLWWHH and National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. 
PRESCRIBED FIRE 
Prescribed Fire continues to be the best, most FRVW HIFLHQW IRUHVW PDQDJHPHQW WRRO IRU ZLOGOLIH PDQDJHPHQW SURWHFWLRQ RI WKH IRUHVW IURP ZLOGUHV UHVWRUDWLRQRIUHGHSHQGHQWIRUHVWHFRV\VWHPVIRUHVW regeneration, and control of certain unwanted plant species. This year there was approx. 1.5 million acres prescribed burned in Georgia reported within and reported by our burning permit information system. Silvicuture burning accounted for the majority of those acres at about 1.1 million acres. The Georgia Forestry Commission continues to give on-the-ground assistance while also providing technical advice, weather forecasts, assistance in writing plans, and SUHVFULEHG UH ZRUNVKRSV IRU ODQGRZQHUV DFURVV WKH state. 
7KLV \HDU IRXU FHUWLFDWLRQ FRXUVHV ZHUH KHOG DFURVV the state with 225 students attending. To date, there DUHQHDUO\&HUWLHG%XUQHUVLQ*HRUJLD 
 
12 
 
 The Georgia Prescribed Fire Council held its annual meeting in Tifton this year, with over 150 burn practitioners in attendance. Several topics were presented, with Managing Wildlife Habitat with Fire, 0HGLD 5HODWLRQV &XUUHQW $LU 4XDOLW\ DQG :HDWKHU Climatology for the upcoming burn year. Visit the &RXQFLOVZHEVLWHDWJDU[UHFRPIRUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQ and this year's annual meeting registration. 
FIRE WEATHER FORECASTING 
:LOGUH EHKDYLRU LV GHWHUPLQHG E\ IRUHVW IXHOV surrounding topography, and weather conditions such as wind and relative humidity. Daily readiness IRUUHVXSSUHVVLRQLVXVXDOO\H[SUHVVHGLQWHUPVRI UHZHDWKHUDQGUHGDQJHU 
GFC Fire Weather Website received 68,000 visitors and 357,000 hits per month in FY2014 
We began testing a SuperFog Index developed by a 1DWLRQDO:HDWKHU6HUYLFHIRUHFDVWRIFHD6XSHUIRJ category developed by a retired United State Forest Service research, and a GFC SuperFog index, which combined the two indexes, in our GFC District Weather Forecast. The ultimate goal is to provide a EHWWHULQGH[WKDWHQKDQFHVWKHDELOLW\RIUHPDQDJHU to predict a super fog event so that negative impacts can be avoided. 
Georgia uses a sophisticated National Fire Danger 5DWLQJ 6\VWHP LQ ZKLFK ZHDWKHU GDWD LV PHDVXUHG and interpolated into levels of readiness understood E\IRUHVWUDQJHUVDQGUHFRRSHUDWRUV7KHUHGDQJHU UDWLQJV ZLWK UH ZHDWKHU IRUHFDVWLQJ DUH SURGXFHG daily by the Forest Protection Meteorologist and are posted on GaTrees.org. 
Valuable tools and information for forest managers intending to conduct prescribed burning are available RQ WKH UH ZHDWKHU ZHEVLWH 7KHVH WRROV LQFOXGH weather maps, rainfall maps, drought maps, lightning PDSV SRLQWIRUHFDVW V\VWHP D SUHVFULEHG UH FOLPDWRORJ\ V\VWHP SUHVFULEHG ZHDWKHU QRWLFDWLRQ system, and Web-based V-smoke application. 
In December 2013, two weather station coordinator positions were developed to help the meteorologist monitor data quality from our weather stations. The coordinators assisted the meteorologist to make sure all hourly data are collected from all our weather stations. 
 
Between December 2013 and February 2014, UPZDUH LQ GDWD ORJJHUV DW QLQH ZHDWKHU VWDWLRQV ZDVXSGDWHG7KHXSGDWHGUPZDUHZLOOHQDEOHWKH data logger to reset total rainfall amount to zero on January 1 each year. 
,Q)HEUXDU\WKHZHDWKHURIFHSXUFKDVHG Kestrel 3000 for County Units, foresters, and district PDQDJHUVXWLOL]LQJDIHGHUDOJUDQW7KLVZLOOKHOSHOG personnel to stay abreast of current weather while GRLQJHOGZRUN 
RURAL FIRE DEFENSE (RFD) PROGRAM 
7KH *)&V 5XUDO )LUH 'HIHQVH 3URJUDP FRQWLQXHV WRDVVLVWORFDOFRXQW\DQGPXQLFLSDOUHGHSDUWPHQWV through acquisition, fabrication and repairs/ PRGLFDWLRQ RI UH DSSDUDWXV ,Q DGGLWLRQ IXQGLQJ WRVXSSRUWUHGHSDUWPHQWVZLWKLQFRPPXQLWLHVZLWK less than 10,000 population, provides opportunities for training, personal protective equipment as well DV ZDWHU KDQGOLQJ VXSSOLHV 7KH 5)' SURJUDP administers the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program funding through federal grants provided by the US Forest Service. 
7KH 5)' SURJUDP VXSSRUWV  UH GHSDUWPHQWV LQ FRXQWLHVLQ*HRUJLDZLWKRYHUSLHFHVRIUH suppression equipment statewide. This equipment LV LQ WKH IRUP RI YHKLFOHV UH SXPSV ZDWHU WDQNV DQG YDULRXV RWKHU W\SH RI UH SURWHFWLRQ DSSDUDWXV Through cooperation and partnerships Georgia's ORFDO UH VHUYLFH DJHQFLHV VXSSRUWHG WKH *)& LQ its mission of protecting the forest resources of Georgia by responding to and assisting to suppress ZLOGODQGUHVLQ)<,QDGGLWLRQWKHWUDLQLQJ DQG HTXLSPHQW SURYLGH WKURXJK WKH 5)' SURJUDP VXSSRUWV ORFDO UH GHSDUWPHQW LQ WKHLU UHVSRQVH WR local emergencies such as motor vehicle accidents DQG UHV VWUXFWXUHV UHV DQG RWKHU PLVFHOODQHRXV emergency responses. In many locations and communities throughout Georgia the vehicles and equipment provided by the GFC is the only emergency response apparatus available to the citizens. 
7KH*)&ZRUNVFORVHO\ZLWKWKH5XUDO)LUH'HIHQVH Council in Georgia to ensure that the programs and projects being offered add value and are best utilized for their intended purposes. There were four regularly VFKHGXOHGTXDUWHUO\PHHWLQJVKHOGZLWKWKH5XUDO)LUH Defense Council in FY14. 
 
13 
 
 RFD FISCAL YEAR 2014 FIRE SUMMARY 
 
&RRSHUDWLQJ)LUH'HSDUWPHQWV6WDWHZLGH5HSRUW 
 
Level of Damage 
 
Type Fire Wildland (or the old Forest Land) 
 
Number 3,243 
 
Acres  
 
Light Moderate Extensive 
 
Open Land Motorized Equipment Structural 
 
0  2,432 
 
0.00 
 
0.00 
 
485 
 
350 
 
523 
 
0.00 
 
 541 
 
 
 
Miscellaneous Grand Total 
 
11,115  
 
0.00 
 
0 
 
0 
 
0 
 
 
 
1,664 
 
 
 
26,232 
 
Number Pieces Of Equipment NOT In Service 
 
51 
 
Total Number Pieces Of Equipment 
 
1,715 
 
Number Counties Utilizing RFD Equipment 
 
120 
 
Number Departments Utilizing RFD Equipment 
 
397 
 
Total Number Of RFD Stations 
 
927 
 
Number Of Outstanding Requests: Lease/FED/State Excess 
 
493 
 
Number of Fire Department Meetings Attended by GFC Personnel 
 
2,539 
 
EQUIPMENT AND RFD FABRICATION SHOP 
The GFC's fabrication shop continues to provide construction, repairs and oversight of both GFC's and Fire Department vehicles and equipment. The majority of the activities carried out in the fabrication VKRS DUH SHUIRUPHG WR VXSSRUW UH VXSSUHVVLRQ equipment being provided to GFC county units as ZHOODV5XUDO)LUH'HSDUWPHQWVWKURXJKRXWWKHVWDWH Continuous process improvements occur frequently DV QHZ YHKLFOH DQG HTXLSPHQW FRQJXUDWLRQV DUH LQWURGXFHGWKDWUHTXLUHPRGLFDWLRQVWRGHVLJQVDQG fabrication phases. GFC fabrication welders and mechanics strive to provide high quality and timely SURGXFWVWKDWNHHSVWKH*)&VUHVXSSUHVVLRQHHW in a constant state of readiness. Fabrication staff ZRUNV FORVHO\ ZLWK WKH 5)' SURJUDP FRRUGLQDWRU and the GFC's District and County Units to support ORFDO UH GHSDUWPHQWV LQ IDEULFDWLQJ DQG UHSDLULQJ UHDSSDUDWXVWRVXSSRUWWKHLUPLVVLRQDQGHIIRUWV,Q FY14, the Fabrication shop performed a total of 331 work projects. 
 
FABRICATION SHOP PRODUCTION REPORT FROM 7/1/2013 TO 6/30/2014 
 
Equipment &ODVVLFDWLRQ Electrical Fire Knocker Harrow Motor Vehicle Others Plow Tank Tractor Trailer Truck Bed Type 6 Engine Type 7 Engine V-Blade Total 
 
New Repair 
 
 
 
7 
 
0 
 
0 
 
1 
 
28 
 
0 
 
0 
 
31 
 
20 
 
5 
 
21 
 
13 
 
 
 
12 
 
30 
 
4 
 
18 
 
7 
 
2 
 
11 
 
4 
 
 
 
26 
 
6 
 
13 
 
108 178 
 
Paint 
2 0 0 0 14 5 2 13 0 3 0 0 2 41 
 
Other 
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 4 
 
Total Number of Projects 18 0  0 66 31 24 56 23 13 15 35 21 331 
 
14 
 
 &RPPXQLFDWLRQVVWDIIIRUVFDO\HDUFRQVLVWHGRIDGLUHFWRUDQDGPLQLVWUDWLYHDVVLVWDQWDFRQVHUYDWLRQ education coordinator and a contracted writer. 
Internal communications within the agency continues to improve. GFC Headline News continues to be wellreceived. The Ask the Director intranet site has been removed temporarily as the department reviews its effectiveness. 
During the year 10 press releases were produced and hundreds of news articles appeared in print. In addition, various magazine articles appeared in publications as diverse as Georgia Forestry Today, Out of the Woods, and Georgia Trend, among others. Many radio and television appearances were made, with topics ranging IURPUHSUHYHQWLRQDQGUHDFWLYLW\WR$UERU'D\ 
*)& FRQWLQXHG WR VWUHQJWKHQ LWV SUHVHQFH RQ )DFHERRN DQG WZLWWHU LQ VFDO \HDU $OO DJHQF\ SUHVV releases were shared on the sites, as were photos of GFC events and professionals. 
GFC worked with Tim Wommick to create a webcast of our Arbor Day school program. The webcast, funded through a U.S. Forest Service grant, was open to all Georgia schools live on February 20. Video from the ZHEFDVWUHPDLQVDYDLODEOHIRUYLHZLQJRQ*)&VZHEVLWH$WRWDORIVFKRROVYLHZHGWKHZHEFDVWOLYHZLWK DQ HVWLPDWHG DXGLHQFH RI  VWXGHQWV 7KH ZHEFDVW ZDV SURPRWHG ZLWK D MRLQW OHWWHU IURP *)& 'LUHFWRU 5REHUW)DUULVDQG6WDWH6FKRRO6XSHULQWHQGHQW-RKQ%DUJHWRDOO*HRUJLDVFKRROVXSHULQWHQGHQWV7KHHYHQW was also promoted with a press release and on GFC's social media channels. 
Georgia Forestry Commission partnered with the Georgia Forestry Foundation for the Forestry: A Foundation for our Future (FFOF) program in FY14. The program was designed to target students in grades 5-12 across Georgia and invite them to submit artwork and a slogan conveying what Georgia's working forests mean to WKHP7ZRZLQQHUVZHUHVHOHFWHGRQHHDFKIRUJUDGHVDQGEach winning entry will be awarded a prize valued up to $35,000, which includes a $15,000 cash award to the school, $2,500 cash award and forestry camp scholarship to the student, Project Learning Tree environmental professional development for up to 20 teachers and an invitation to attend the Georgia Teacher Conservation Workshop for two teachers from WKHZLQQLQJVFKRROVDHOGWULSIRUVWXGHQWVLQWKHJUDGHOHYHORIHDFKZLQQLQJVWXGHQWDQGPDWHULDOVIHDWXULQJ the winning artwork and slogan. A website (www.forestry4rfuture.org) was established for the program and promoted via press releases, social media and product literature. 
15 
 
 The Forest Utilization & Marketing Department saw many changes during FY14. We had several personnel changes including one retirement, one resignation, one promotion, and two new personnel. Although short-staffed for about one-half of the year, the department continued to provide technical and marketing assistance to the forest products community, provided leadership to expand the value of Georgia's forests by pursuing forestry and bioenergy economic development projects, and provided assistance to forest landowners through the carbon sequestration registry program. Through these efforts the department strives to sustain the economic viability of forestland ownership in Georgia by ensuring that Georgia's forest industry remains a leader in the global marketplace while also contributing to the state's economic well being. 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FOREST PRODUCT MARKET DEVELOPMENT 
The GFC Forest Utilization & Marketing Department staff responded to 273 individual requests for technical DQG PDUNHWLQJ DVVLVWDQFH LQFOXGLQJ FHUWLHG ZRRG products and exporting, including distributing domestic and international trade leads to Georgia forest product companies; and other miscellaneous requests for assistance. Formal presentations were provided to seventeen groups during meetings, workshops, or conferences with a total audience of 708 persons. The topics of these presentations included: expanding wood product markets, the economic impacts of IRUHVWU\IRUHVWFHUWLFDWLRQQDQFLDOUHWXUQVRQIRUHVWU\ investments, and general wood products. A total of OLWHUDWXUHLWHPVZHUHGLVWULEXWHGLQWKHVHYDULRXV activities. 
In January 2014, Utilization staff contributed to the GHYHORSPHQW RI WKH YH\HDU UHSRUW IRU WKH *HRUJLD General Assembly, Sustainable Forest Management in Georgia, by authoring two sections in Chapter 
 
Two, %HQHWV RI *HRUJLDV )RUHVWV 6RFLRHFRQRPLF and Ecosystem Services. 
In March 2014, in an intra-agency project between the GFC and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Utilization staff developed a Salvage 9HULFDWLRQ $IGDYLW 69$  SURFHGXUH WKDW KHOSHG expedite the harvest of storm damaged timber from two ice storms in February. The procedure was developed in response to Governor Deal's Executive Order allowing for increased truck weights for the transportation of damaged timber to wood markets IRUDGD\SHULRG*)&)RUHVWHUVFRQGXFWHGHOG inspections of the damaged timber and provided 33 VDOYDJH YHULFDWLRQ DIGDYLWV WKDW HQDEOHG WLPEHU harvesters to acquire their GDOT over-weight permits. With the SVA procedure an estimated 8,733 truckloads of damaged timber was harvested on approximately 6,107 acres in east-central Georgia, primarily in Burke and Screven counties. This project was a good example of two state agencies assisting each other and their constituents with facilitating and expediting the rapid removal of damaged timber from the ice storms. 
In April 2014, Utilization staff, in cooperation with the 86'$ )RUHVW 6HUYLFH 6RXWKHUQ 5HVHDUFK 6WDWLRQ began the 2013 biannual Timber Products Output mill survey of approximately 150 primary wood-using industries in the state DQG FRPSOHWHG  VXUYH\V consisting of timber drain and mill production data. This project will conclude by December 2014. As a by-product of the survey, an updated Georgia Primary Wood-Using Industry Directory will be published in 2015. 
7KH'HSDUWPHQWFRPSOHWHGDSURMHFWEHJXQLQVFDO year 2013 to develop a secondary wood-using industry directory. Information was collected on 1,081 H[LVWLQJUPVIRUWKHSXEOLFDWLRQ*HRUJLD6HFRQGDU\ Wood-Using Industries Directory 2014. An update of 
 
16 
 
 WKLVGLUHFWRU\ZLOOWDNHSODFHLQWKHUVWKDOIRIFDOHQGDU Kingdom (England) in September 2013. The staff also 
 
year 2015. In addition, Utilization staff partnered with cooperated with the Hardwood States Export Group and 
 
several southeastern states (FL, KY, NC, SC, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development's 9$  DQG 6RXWKHUQ 5HJLRQDO ([WHQVLRQ )RUHVWU\ WR International Trade Division by ensuring that Georgia's 
 
develop a regional online directory which will augment wood products manufacturers were made aware of 
 
the primary mill directory currently available at www. appropriate export opportunities. 
 
forestproductslocator.org. These marketing platforms 
 
will provide greater visibility of wood-using industries The Department continues to be active as a member 
 
through the entire wood supply chain which could lead of the Southeast Agriculture and Forestry Energy to more economic activity. The regional secondary 5HVRXUFHV $OOLDQFH 6$)(5  6RXWKHUQ %LRHQHUJ\ 
 
wood-using industries online directory project will be Working Group, a member of the Hardwood States 
 
completed in the third quarter of 2014. 
 
Export Group, a member of the Georgia Economic 
 
Developers Association, a member of the Forest 
 
The staff developed a variety of tools to improve Products Society, and actively coordinates with the 
 
wood product values and production. They included USDA Forest Service in interpreting forest inventory fact sheets and publications on forest industry DQGDQDO\VLVGDWDIRUYDULRXVVFLHQWLFUHSRUWV 
 
economic impacts, wood product exporters and forest FHUWLFDWLRQV\VWHPV2ISDUWLFXODUQRWHVWDIIDXWKRUHG The Department coordinates the development of and co-authored a new series of forest investment WKH (FRQRPLF %HQHWV RI WKH )RUHVWU\ ,QGXVWU\ LQ 
 
publications with Dr. David Dickens and Dr. David Georgia annual reports which are prepared by the 
 
Moorhead of UGA. The new series provides possible Enterprise Innovation Institute of the Georgia Institute 
 
returns for intensively managed pine stands with the of Technology under contract to the GFC. UVW IRXU SXEOLFDWLRQV H[SORULQJ \HDU DQG \HDU 
 
URWDWLRQV 7KHVH ZLOO EH EHQHFLDO WR ODQGRZQHUV In June 2014, Utilization staff provided continuing 
 
and GFC employees who have interest in forest assistance to the Georgia Department of Agriculture's 
 
investments, fertilization, and pine straw harvesting. Georgia Grown forest products marketing program. 
 
These publications are available on the GFC website 
 
at www.gatrees.org/utilization/economic-impacts. 
 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTRY 
 
RELATED PROJECTS 
 
The Department contributed to four of the GFC 
 
E-newsletters, which were distributed electronically to The GFC Forest Utilization & Marketing Department 
 
thousands of customers within the forestry community. continues to cultivate prospective companies by 
 
Department staff established and manned marketing providing services such as locating potential industrial 
 
exhibits at domestic trade shows and conferences sites and analyzing forest resources. These services 
 
including the International Agribusiness Conference are provided directly to prospects or indirectly via 
 
in Savannah in September; the Bioenergy Fuels & local and state economic development agencies. 
 
Products Conference in Atlanta in March; and the 
 
SoutheasternWoodProducersAssociationConference The department provided assistance to 85 potential in Jekyll Island in June. Approximately 1,000 attendees SURMHFWV )LIW\YH SURMHFWV ZHUH ELRHQHUJ\ UHODWHG 
 
visited the GFC Utilization & Marketing exhibit at these i.e. producing energy products from forest biomass. 
 
events and many contacts were made with potential Thirty projects were traditional industry related, i.e. 
 
investors and project developers, particularly in the companies considering expanding in Georgia with wood pellet industry. In addition, the department new traditional wood products facilities. 5HVRXUFH 
 
head gave a presentation, Pellet Development in reports regarding timber and biomass availability were 
 
the South - A Foresters Perspective to over 100 provided to 13 companies as part of their feasibility 
 
attendees at the International Biomass Conference analyses. In addition, 72 companies were provided 
 
& Expo's Pellet Supply Chain Summit in Orlando, site location assistance and other miscellaneous 
 
FL in March 2014. The presentation highlighted the information. 
 
importance of Georgia's forests on a global, national and regional context. With external funding provided 8WLOL]DWLRQ VWDII KDV SURYLGHG VLJQLFDQW DVVLVWDQFH 
 
by the Southern Group of State Foresters, Utilization to several companies in Georgia's growing wood 
 
staff promoted the export of Georgia wood products pellet manufacturing sector. Hazlehurst Wood 
 
globally at a forest products tradeshow in the United Pellets LLC, Georgia's newest wood pellet plant, 
 
17 
 
 EHJDQ SURGXFWLRQ LQ 0DUFK  7KH PLOOV UVW in a meeting with a representative of a Scandinavian 
 
phase will produce 150,000 tons of wood pellets per electricity utility provider and member of the 
 
year utilizing southern yellow pine wood chips. Two Sustainable Biomass Partnership in the European 
 
additional phases will ramp up total production to Union, concerning sustainability standards of biomass 
 
450,000 tons of wood pellets per year. The 150,000 sourced in the southern U.S. for wood pellets that are 
 
and 450,000 tons of pellet production equates to being utilized in European markets.    WRQV UHVSHFWLYHO\ RI QHZ SLQH EHU GHPDQG LQ WKH UHJLRQ *HRUJLD QRZ KDV  Utilization staff gave several educational presentations 
 
wood pellet plants; in 2007 there were zero. Most of at various venues for forest owners, forest industry 
 
the wood pellets produced in Georgia are exported representatives and GFC foresters and forester 
 
to European Union electric utilities, while a small technicians at the GFC forester training seminar at 
 
portion are sold in domestic markets, principally the St. Simons Island in August 2013. 
 
northeastern U.S. According to the Georgia Ports 
 
Authority, ports in Savannah and Brunswick shipped In December 2013, Utilization staff completed RYHURQHPLOOLRQPHWULFWRQVRIZRRGSHOOHWVLQVFDO a carbon sequestration project for Fort Benning year 2014. Several other public announcements of FRQVLVWLQJ RI  DFUHV 7KH SURMHFW ZDV 
 
planned wood pellet mills were made during the year registered on the Georgia Carbon Sequestration although it is too early to determine if they will actually 5HJLVWU\ www.gacarbon.org PDNLQJ WKLV WKH UVW 
 
come to fruition. 
 
project registered in nearly four years. Fort Benning's 
 
extensive forest currently stores 16.8 million metric 
 
Another successful economic development project tons of CO2 equivalent, with an annual projection to 
 
for the department was its assistance to a prospective sequester an additional 301,000 metric tons. This 
 
company seeking potential sites to establish a log annual projection equals the annual greenhouse 
 
export facility near Savannah, which resulted in gas emissions from over 67,000 passenger vehicles 
 
the company establishing a log yard and shipping and CO2 emissions from 15,000 homes. According 
 
container loading facility in Garden City, GA at a to the Department of Defense, Fort Benning is the EURZQHOGLQGXVWULDOVLWH7KLVQHZIDFLOLW\H[SRUWVSLQH UVW 'HSDUWPHQW RI 'HIHQVH EDVH WR XQGHUWDNH D 
 
logs to China and India at the previous location of the forest carbon sequestration project. In addition, the closed creosote plant, Savannah Wood Preserving. *HRUJLD &DUERQ 6HTXHVWUDWLRQ 5HJLVWU\ SURJUDP 
 
staff provided technical advice to ten additional 
 
In February 2014, Utilization staff hosted a delegation of 25 international trade representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development's International Trade Division at the GFC headquarters. 
 
landowners representing 1,015-acres of forest ODQG$FUHVHQUROOHGLQWKH5HJLVWU\IURPDOOSURMHFWV QRZ WRWDO  7HFKQLFDO DVVLVWDQFH ZDV DOVR SURYLGHG WR YH ODQGRZQHUV RQ RWKHU W\SHV RI 
 
Staff members gave presentations covering topics ecosystem services. 
 
such as the economic importance of forestry to Georgia's economy; history of forestry in Georgia; GFC services overview; forest sustainability; and the 
 
,Q WKH QDO \HDU RI D IRXU\HDU SURMHFW 8WLOL]DWLRQ VWDII KRVWHG D IRUHVW FHUWLFDWLRQ ZRUNVKRS LQ7LIWRQ 
 
cooperative relationship that exists between GDEcD at the UGA Campus Conference Center in April and GFC in working to expand economic opportunity  WLWOHG )RUHVW &HUWLFDWLRQ  )URP WKH :RRGV 
 
in Georgia. 
 
to the Mills and Beyond." The workshop focused on JURXSFHUWLFDWLRQFKDLQRIFXVWRG\DQGRWKHULVVXHV 
 
NEW FOREST PRODUCTS AND VALUES 
 
pertinent to Georgia's forest industry. The workshop 
 
targeted land management foresters, procurement 
 
The Utilization Department provided support foresters, wood buyers, loggers and mill managers 
 
regarding biomass energy for many activities with and over 50 people attended, including several GFC particular emphasis being the production of resource SHUVRQQHO  6SHDNHUV IURP WKH PDMRU FHUWLFDWLRQ 
 
reports to industries, which provide information on systems including the American Tree Farm System 
 
the inventory of Georgia's forest biomass and its (ATFS), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and 
 
level of sustainability. 
 
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) were represented, 
 
as well as Dr. Jeff Stringer, founder and director of In April 2014, Utilization staff also participated in WKH&HQWHUIRU)RUHVW :RRG&HUWLFDWLRQ8QLYHUVLW\ 
 
international dialogue, in particular providing insight of Kentucky Forestry Extension). This workshop was 
 
18 
 
 the third in a series and an offshoot of the Utilization staff co-authored 2011 report from the Southern *URXS RI 6WDWH )RUHVWHUV )RUHVW &HUWLFDWLRQ 3URJUDPV 6WDWXV DQG 5HFRPPHQGDWLRQV LQ WKH South. The objective of this report was to educate forest landowners, forest industry and forestry state DJHQFLHVDERXWWKHYDULRXVFHUWLFDWLRQV\VWHPVDQG to explore potential implications that might exist with regards to improving market access in domestic and global forest products markets. The report is due for DUHYLVLRQLQVFDO\HDU 
The Utilization department continued its participation in a USDA Forest Service regional ecosystem services evaluation project to develop standardized FULWHULDIRUYDOXLQJVSHFLFIRUHVWHFRV\VWHPVHUYLFHV 7KLVSURMHFWVKRXOGEHFRPSOHWHGLQVFDO\HDU 
Utilization staff completed the establishment of two biomass demonstration plantings on the Bartram State Forest and Dixon Memorial State Forest in Milledgeville and Waycross, respectively. The two piedmont and coastal plain sites, respectively, were established in the last couple of years with funding provided by a USDA Forest Service grant. The reforestation projects integrate biomass into a traditional plantation management rotation by alternating rows of species and tree spacing. The concept provides a biomass market by harvesting biomass at 8-12 years of age, rather than a traditional pulpwood harvest at 15-18 years. Data will be collected on these demonstration sites over their life spans LQFOXGLQJ JURZWK UDWHV DQG QDQFLDO DQDO\VHV RI WKH various planting regimes. The long-term project will provide valuable data for forest owners on managing their forests for traditional timber products as well as biomass tree crops and provide an additional forest management option for emerging biomass markets. 
GEORGIA FOREST INDUSTRY ECONOMIC STATISTICS 
Georgia's leadership in the production of forest products in the U.S. south, nation and world is possible because of the state's highly productive forests. On average, Georgia's 24 million acres of commercial timberlands grow more than 20 million tons more wood per year than is harvested, resulting LQJURZWKH[FHHGLQJUHPRYDOVE\IRUDOOVSHFLHV combined. 
x Georgia leads the nation in the production of poles 
 
x Georgia leads the U.S. south in softwood and total post & pole production 
x Georgia leads the U.S. south and nation with 7,748,182 forest plantation acres 
*HRUJLDVPLOOLRQDFUHVRIIRUHVWVVXSSRUWD billion forest products industry, including the following industry leaders: 
x The largest hardwood sawmill in the U.S.  Beasley Forest Products  Hazlehurst, GA 
x The largest recycled paper mill in North America  SP Fiber Technologies  Dublin, GA 
x The largest wood pellet plant in the World  Georgia Biomass  Waycross, GA 
x 7KH ODUJHVW FUXGH WDOO RLO ELRUHQHU\ LQ WKH World  Arizona Chemical  Savannah, GA 
x The largest wood rosin plant in the World  Pinova  Brunswick, GA 
x 7KH UVW 'HSDUWPHQW RI 'HIHQVH EDVH WR undertake a forest carbon sequestration project DWDFUHV)RUW%HQQLQJ&ROXPEXV*$ 
In 2013, for the 4th consecutive year, Georgia exports reached a record level. More than 14,500 Georgia companies exported $37.6 billion in goods and services to 230 countries in 2013. Georgia is the 11th largest exporting state based on dollar value of H[SRUWV *HRUJLDV WRS YH H[SRUW PDUNHWV LQ  were Canada, China, Mexico, United Kingdom and -DSDQ 6SHFLF IRUHVW LQGXVWU\ H[SRUW GDWD IRU  includes the following: 
x *HRUJLDVSDSHULQGXVWU\H[SRUWVJUHZE\ an increase of more than $311 million over 2012. 
x Georgia led the nation in the export of woodpulp and kraft paper/paperboard. 
x Georgia ranks 6th in the U.S. for wood product H[SRUWV YDOXHG DW RYHU  PLOOLRQ D  increase over 2012. Georgia's top 5 export markets for wood products are: China, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Turkey, and Belgium. 
x Georgia ranks #1 in U.S. exports of wood pellets to the world valued at over $128 million DQG UHSUHVHQWLQJ D  LQFUHDVH RYHU  Georgia's top 5 export markets for wood pellets are: United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, and the Netherlands. 
 
19 
 
 7KH 5HIRUHVWDWLRQ 'HSDUWPHQW KDV EHHQ WKURXJK PDQ\ FKDQJHV WKLV SDVW VFDO \HDU 5XVV 3RKO who was at the helm of our department for many \HDUVUHWLUHG-DQXDU\:HFHUWDLQO\ZLVK5XVV the best in all of his new endeavors. His position was replaced by Jeff Fields, who left the Nursery &RRUGLQDWRU SRVLWLRQ YDFDQW DW )OLQW 5LYHU 1XUVHU\ 5XVVHOO$\UHV VWHSSHG XS WR WDNH WKLV SRVLWLRQ DQG KDVGRQHDQHMREDWLW+RZHYHUWKLVOHIWDYDFDQF\ at the seed extractory that, as of now has not been OOHG 3ODQV WR OO WKDW YDFDQF\ DUH LQ WKH ZRUNV During this time of transition every professional in our department has put forth extra effort to continue producing the highest quality seedlings and seed possible. Here are our accomplishments as a department by program area. 
TREE IMPROVEMENT 
There were 63 controlled pollinations made for 4th F\FOHEUHHGLQJHIIRUWVDW)OLQW5LYHUDQGDW$UURZKHDG 
x There were 4 pine progeny tests measured, 3 Loblolly and 1 Slash. 
x There were 2 Loblolly pine progeny test planted DW)OLQW5LYHU5HIRUHVWDWLRQ&RPSOH[ 
x The GFC continues to play a vital role in the development of pine genotypes, not just for Georgia landowners, but landowners across the southeast. This is due to a continuing agreement between the GFC and the NCSU Tree Improvement Cooperative at the GFC's Arrowhead Seed Orchard. 
x Atree improvement short course was completed E\-HII)LHOGVDQG5XVVHOO$\UHVSXWRQE\WKH NCSU Tree Improvement Cooperative. 
x Jeff Fields served on advisory committees to both the NCSU Tree Improvement Cooperative and the University of Florida Slash Pine Cooperative. 
 
Overall the Tree Improvement Program continues to be a success, and an asset to the GFC and ODQGRZQHUVDFURVVWKH6RXWKHDVW/DWHVWJXUHVWKDW were supported by the NC state Co-op continue to show the present value of the Arrowhead breeding center, where all of the NC State Co-op's 4th cycle breeding efforts are taking place, to be $483,000,000 south wide and $113,000,000 in Georgia. 
SEED ORCHARDS 
The seed Orchard program continues to be a VXFFHVVIXOO\ UXQ VHJPHQW RI WKH 5HIRUHVWDWLRQ Department. With superior pine genotypes being supplied by the Tree Improvement program and continually going into our Orchard program where the ODQGRZQHUVRI*HRUJLDEHQHWJUHDWO\ 
The following accomplishments in seed collection were made by our professionals not only in the seed RUFKDUG SURJUDP EXW *)& SURIHVVLRQDOV LQ WKH HOG that are a very important part of our efforts. 
The following number of bushels of cones were collected from GFC orchards and were cleaned in our seed extractory to supply the nursery program with genetically elite seed for years to come. 
 
Species 
Loblolly P3 Loblolly P Top Clones Loblolly P3 Select /REOROO\55 /REOROO\557RS&ORQHV (GA Giants) Shortleaf Premium Slash Select Premium Slash 
 
Bushels Collected 
660 35  210  
  140 
 
LBS Cleaned Seed   204 268 216 
3.10 235 68 
 
20 
 
 In addition to these elite pines species that were collected and processed, we collected, processed and planted 10,585.25 pounds and/or gallons of hardwood seeds! NURSERY The dedication and talent of a nursery program that continues to work hard every year to support a research program such as Tree Improvement and an orchard program that supplies some of the best seed in the business continues to amaze. This program is unparalleled by any other state nursery program in the south. The nursery program successfully distributed DURXQGPLOOLRQVHHGOLQJVUHIRUHVWLQJRYHU acres and serving 3,444 customers. Our program has successfully established a Longleaf Pine understory seed production area through a federal grant. In this area there are over 22 different species of native grasses and legumes that are currently producing seed for Longleaf pine understory restoration. We also established a Longleaf Pine seedling seed orchard from improved families of Longleaf Pine. This orchard will be essential to the future production of improved Longleaf Pine in our nursery. Production and sales are increasing in our program due to stronger demand and some contracts that are in our future. Stay tuned for more to come! 
21 
 
 INCOME AND EXPENDITURES 
 
FUNDING SOURCE )('(5$/)81'6 )('(5$/67,0/86 27+(5)81'6 67$7(*(1(5$/)81'6 *29(5125
6(PHUJHQF\)XQGV )(0$),5(0$1$*(0(17*5$17 35,25<($5,19(1725< 727$/)81'6 EXPENDITURES BY OBJECT CLASS 727$/3(5621$/6(59,&(6 727$/5(*8/$523(5$7,1*(;3(16(6 75$9(/ 027259(+,&/((48,30(17385&+$6(6 (48,30(17385&+$6(6 &20387(5&+$5*(6 5($/(67$7(5(17$/6 7(/(&20081,&$7,216 
CAPITAL OUTLAY 3(5',(0 )((6 &2175$&76 :$5(&2817<7$;5'0$,17 :$5(&2817<7$;6)25(67 727$/(;3(1',785(6 EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM 5()25(67$7,21 3527(&7,21 
MANAGEMENT *(1(5$/$'0,1,675$7,21$1'6833257 BONDS (48,30(17%21'6 &$3,7$/287/$<%21'6 180%(52)(03/2<((6 
 
FY2012 
      
 
        334,317    
 
  
8,318,841  
  
 22 
 
FY2013 
  
  
 
 
31,184,785  285,651  713,014  26,320  0 0 3,032,566 60,000 
 
  
8,007,384  
  
 
 
FY2014 
 
  
 
 
 8,687,455 310,013 402,285   32,668  45,888 
1,523,218 60,000 
 
  
7,122,100