Page 22 - Georgia Forestry - Summer 2017

series of educational materials and technical tools, along with web links to resources. Users learn about various land management objectives, such as timber output, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities, and then create a custom plan that tailors supporting activities to the desired goals.
Georgia Forestry Commission Urban and Commu- nity Forestry Program Specialist Joe Burgess said many landowners may not have clearly defined goals when they begin, but the program can help them identify and clarify desired outcomes.
“Owners of smaller parcels of land are shown how to analyze what they have, develop management goals according to how they want the resource to grow, and then learn about the activities that can be undertaken to fulfill those goals,” Burgess said.
After enrolling in the online tutorial, landowners navigate the program according to the amount of land they have and the goals they want to achieve.
The Georgia Forestry Commission’s Forest Manage- ment team is hopeful this new tool for small landowners will become a widely-used resource.
“A large landowner is able to manage his acreage more like a business,” said White. “If he has a one-acre patch of Southern Pine Beetle damage, he can just get it cut out. But it would be cost-prohibitive for a small landowner to get such a small area harvested. The issues small land- owners confront can be much more impactful.”
According to White, owners and managers of small tracts should recognize their impact on forestland can be significant.
“This is an excellent way to learn about the resource and its value, along with the tools and activities that can be used to enhance it,” Burgess said. “We’re all part of a much bigger picture. Accessible education, coupled with hands-on, owner based management activities, can help us keep our forests sustainable for years to come.”
STASIA KELLY IS A MEDIA RELATIONS SPECIALIST WITH GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION. STASIA IS FOCUSED ON TELLING THE STORY OF FORESTRY AND THE IMMENSE IMPACT OF THE INDUSTRY ON GEORGIA’S ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY AND HERITAGE.
GEORGIA FORESTRY LANDOWNER SERVICE PROGRAMS
The Georgia Forestry Commission offers a number of recognition programs to help landowners manage their property. While the Forest Stewardship Program is designed for owners of large acreage, several programs assist the owners of 10 and fewer acres.
CONSERVATION WOODLAND RECOGNITION PROGRAM - over 1 acre & larger
STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM - 10 acres & larger
1ACRE(S) 10 20
* Habitat Enhancement Programs may be found at NWF.org
SMALL LANDOWNER PROGRAM - > 1 < 10 acres HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS*
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