Griffin, GA |
From managing wildlife to recovering from devastating storms, professionals across Georgia’s forestry sector came together at the UGA Griffin Campus for a day dedicated to the state’s top industry. The event offered a comprehensive look at both emerging techniques and traditional practices, catering to seasoned timber growers and new landowners alike.
“Well, from a producer standpoint, we’ve got a lot of professors out here with maybe cutting-edge techniques for managing wildlife and timber, as well as traditional methods they might not be used to,” said Jeff Sibley, Lead Forester for Georgia Forestry Commission Region 1. “It could be that we’ve got some new landowners that haven’t had the opportunity to interact with professionals in forestry and wildlife. We’re here to give them information they may not have ever had.”
With more than 30 expert-led topics on the agenda, the field day featured timely discussions on everything from beekeeping and deer diseases to chainsaw safety and forest management.
“We have a lot of great professionals who volunteer their time to share their expertise,” said John Gassett, Research Station Superintendent at UGA Griffin. “There’s a lot of great information here for people to learn and obtain.”
The event also tackled some of the challenges facing timber producers across the state—most notably the long-term impact of Hurricane Helene, along with mill closures and international competition.
“We’ve been working with the Georgia Forestry Commission to try to get things taken care of,” said Gassett. “There was so much devastation across Georgia, and we’re still in the planning stages. But longevity is the key—we’ve always gone through tough times and come out.”
Wildlife management was another major topic of discussion. Organizers emphasized the importance of striking a balance between forest health and wildlife conservation.
“You can’t manage forests without affecting wildlife, and you can’t manage wildlife without affecting forestry,” Sibley explained. “It’s a good opportunity to show how forestry impacts wildlife and vice versa. Sometimes you have to give on the forestry side to promote certain species.”
Gassett echoed that sentiment, pointing out that integrating recreational opportunities like hunting and hiking can benefit both the land and those who use it.
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” he said. “This is a great way to keep your stands healthy and your land productive. Wildlife helps you understand the health of the forest too.”
With forestry being Georgia’s number one commercial industry—supporting more than 140,000 jobs statewide—organizers also made sure to include the next generation. Students from across Georgia were invited to explore careers in forestry and natural resources.
“We wanted students to have the opportunity to get an idea of what career options are out there,” said Sibley. “We talked to them about what it takes to get into forestry schools, what the expectations are, and the many different career paths available in the outdoors.”
By: Damon Jones