Page 20 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 1 - Winter 2024
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we want. Some is intensively managed forests, but you’d never see it. If you were to drive around the property, you’d wonder where we’re even cutting timber.”
Harrell admits there were many ques- tions and challenges over the test run, but thankfully, one company is coming onto the scene with a product that is helping to streamline the process for private land- owners looking to lease their property for outdoor recreation.
Kim Kean, director of marketing at Orbis, Inc., compares their innovative app My Outdoor Agent to the well-known short-term rental models of Airbnb and Vrbo, but with much broader uses that enable property owners to activate their land for a wide range of outdoor recre- ational activities.
“Users can go into a portal, narrow down an area you want to visit, and check the specifications of their needs. On the property owner end, they set the terms, availability, and manage payment. It’s a similar concept to Airbnb, but with much more to offer,” said Kean.
According to Kean, most forest land- owners lean on hunting leases to produce additional income, often locking up their property to one or a few individuals each year. With My Outdoor Agent, landowners can still provide hunting leases, but also open the property up to other activities that broaden their income possibilities.
“My Outdoor Agent gives the flexibil- ity to do it in time spans ranging from a weekend to a full season to even a full year if you want it to be,” said Kean. “That way, when it’s not hunting season, you can invite birdwatchers, campers, fishers, hik- ers and more to experience your property. The sky is really the limit.”
All hunting seasons combined in the state of Georgia account for less than six months out of the year, leaving over half of potential outdoor recreational income unaccounted for in the traditional hunt- ing lease model — but now, everything is on the table.
“For those who have been doing tradi- tional hunting leases, it’s an opportunity to break away from stagnant rates that have often been held for decades. It’s limiting their potential profit, but more importantly it’s cutting off your land to folks who could be using it and learning about the importance of getting out in nature,” said Kean.
And that’s where the passions of Mike Harrell, Kim Kean and Orbis, Inc. really come together — a mission to drive exposure and education on the outdoors, agriculture and forestry.
18 | GEORGIA FORESTRY
