Georgia forest facts: 2008 fact sheet

Georgia Forest Facts

Georgia's forests have the capacity to meet increased demands for goods and services now and in the future. But the correct mix of stewardship, market opportunities and commitment to public policy must come together to support forest landowners, organizations
and communities that hold these forests in trust for future generations.

Forest Land Of Georgia's 37 million acres of land area, 24.8 million acres is forest land. Of this 24.8 million acres, 24.4 million acres is timberland available for commercial use - more than any other state in the nation. The state's forest lands provide a myriad of benefits to citizens, including clean air and clean water. With two out of every three raindrops falling in Georgia landing on forest lands, our forests are one of the most significant factors affecting our water quality and quantity.
Forest Inventory and Analysis, US Forest Service 2008

The forest industry provides an average of $539 million in state tax revenues each year.
There are 163 wood processing mills in Georgia, including 12 pulp mills, 83 sawmills and 68 other mills.
An estimated 46 Georgia counties are ranked as critically dependent, very dependent or moderately dependent on the forest products industry in terms of employment.
Economic Development Institute Georgia Institute of Technology - 2008 Report

Ownership The majority of Georgia's timberland is owned by private non-industrial landowners.
Forest Inventory and Analysis, US Forest Service 2008
Contribution to the Economy Georgia's forest industry is the second largest industry in the state.
Forest-related industries inject $28.7 billion and 128,000 jobs into the state's economy, making it Georgia's second largest employer.
Compensation for forest industry employees and supporting businesses exceeds $6.5 billion per year, and forest management and supply to mills by landowners and forest managers generates $1.7 billion in output (mill gate value).

Emerging Opportunities Georgia's forest resources are capable of providing a variety of additional opportunities for the state. One of the most profound opportunities lies with the emerging bioenergy industry, of which Georgia is considered a leader.
Forbes magazine ranked Georgia third in the nation for potential biomass energy as measured by the amount of biomass available in the state.
Georgia currently has over $2 billion worth of active renewable energy-related projects that are projected to drive nearly $5 billion into the state's economy over the next 10 years.
The marketing of Georgia's traditional forest products and developing new bioenergy products will increase the value of forests and encourage reforestation and good management practices.
Georgia Forestry Commission experts predict that bioenergy projects will add an additional 2,000 jobs within the new facilities and forestry operations to support them by 2015.
Georgia's timber harvests produce an average of 6 million green tons of logging residues annually. Much of this can be collected to produce bioenergy products.

An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider

Sustainability Trees are a renewable resource providing clean air, clean water and abundant products. Georgia's forests are being sustainably managed to meet the growing needs of citizens. With the wise use of knowledge and resources, Georgians can keep our forests sustainable for present and future generations.
Georgia's commercial timberlands grow 19 million tons more wood each year than is harvested, resulting in growth exceeding removals by 38 percent.
Between 1983 and 2008, Georgians replanted over 8.9 million acres in trees ... that's 975 acres a day, or 609,375 trees per day!
An estimated 80,000 acres of forest land are naturally regenerated each year in Georgia.

Forest Threats Forest issues ranked most critical by the public and identified in the Statewide Assessment of Forest Resources include a number of threats which present significant challenges to forest managers, landowners and policy makers. They are interrelated and often complex:
Water quality and quantity Urbanization Forest health Biodiversity Air quality Fire management Fragmentation and parcelization Economics and changing markets
For more information on these threats to our state's forests, download the Statewide Assessment of Forest Resources at www.GaTrees.org.

The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) is a dynamic state agency responsible for providing leadership, service and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia's forest resources.