Page 30 - Georgia Forestry - Summer 2019
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support to the forest conservation referendum last fall,” said GFC Deputy Director Gary White. Amendment 3 allowed the legislature to change the formula used to calculate taxes on “forestland conservation use property” and create a new land designation for commercial timberland.
“Forests provide ecological services for all, and urban forests support a healthy quality of life just like rural forests,” White said. “Remember, every- body can support the future of forests when they choose paper over plastic!”
FORESTRY SOLUTIONS
THAT MEET
YOUR OBJECTIVES.
Fifty Years and Growing
Georgia’s forests cannot remain sustainable without one crucial element: replanting. Although timber volumes are still increasing, ownership changes and other pressures have the potential to reduce per-acre pine volume averages. More funding for tree planting or tax incentive programs make replanting after harvest more economically feasible for private forest landowners, thereby increasing future wood supply. Peaks in tree planting have historically coincided with cost-share programs that directly contribute to increases in future wood supply.
Land conservation programs, such as the Conservation Use Value Adjustment (CUVA) and the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA), help landowners reduce their tax burden by forgoing certain development and land-use rights. Con- servation easements provide a means to permanently protect forestland from conversion, thus serving as a valuable conservation tool. Collaborative support by the state, non-governmental orga- nizations and forest landowners can strengthen conservation easements’ impact on forest sustainability.
Georgia has changed a great deal since its first timber boom and the sub- sequent establishment of well-managed forestlands across the state. There are pressures working against forest sus- tainability, yet there is resolve from numerous sectors to overcome the chal- lenges. Georgia’s forestry community is committed to the wise use of scientific knowledge and resources. With gen- erations of experience and well-honed instincts hard at work, citizens of tomor- row are in very good hands.
fwforestry.net
WHEN THE TIME COMES TO SELL YOUR FOREST...
Contact the land experts to help you achieve maximum value from a broad marketplace.
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28 | GEORGIA FORESTRY
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.
sustainability
Action Plan
resources
In addition to the 2019 Sustainability Report for Georgia’s Forests and the Sustainability booklet, two other documents contain detailed strategies for dealing with challenges identified in this story.
The State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)
presents a strategy for working toward sustainable wildlife populations.
Georgia’s Forest Action Plan (FAP)
highlights challenges and opportunities for managing and protecting forested ecosystems.
