Page 12 - Georgia Forestry - Summer 2017

Forester - Georgia Forestry Commission
Chuck Fore
Eastman, Ga
Cannon is likely the exception to the rule when observ- ing the average
forest landowner. Most landowners — new and old — heavily rely on the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) for the latest forest manage- ment information and advice.
According to Chuck Fore, Dodge County GFC Forester, that starts with a question related to economics: “How much money can I make off my land?” Fore usually responds Socratically by asking, “Well, what are your objectives?”
“And those are often hard questions to answer,” Fore said. “My job is not necessarily to tell someone what I would do. Rather, it is to understand what they want to do with their land so we can provide the best recommendations to reach their goals.”
GFC foresters assist land- owners in meeting their goals in a variety of ways, including site specific consultation and written guidelines on topics such as reforestation, forest health, timber stand improve- ment, harvesting and timber selling. In addition, they provide technical services such as prescribed burning,
firebreak plowing, estate plan- ning and more.
“I love helping landowners, and seeing them be success- ful in what they do with their land,” Fore said, smiling. “It is the most rewarding part of my job.”
Since its establishment, GFC has built a solid reputation with local forestry communities. Fore attributes the agency’s success in creating a great rapport with landowners to its service mentality.
“The most important attri- bute to building trust is honesty, and I don’t take that for granted,” Fore said.
“I love helping landowners, and seeing them be successful in what they do with their land. It is the most rewarding part of my job.”
10 | GEORGIA FORESTRY