Today, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Ag Commissioner Gary Black announced that Georgia will receive $347 million in block grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Michael. The online application period for the Georgia Farm Recovery Block Grant will start on March 18 and last through April 8. To
The Georgia Forestry Foundation is proud to announce that Robert Farris, former Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, will serve as Forest Ecosystem Services Program Manager. In this newly-created role, Farris will be focused on exploring opportunities for public and private sector investment in the ecosystem services provided by working forests. This effort is focused
The following article was written by Dave Williams of Capitol Beat News Service and published in several local newspapers across Georgia. Georgia’s timber industry, which already tops the nation in a number of categories, may get a boost from new technology that lets developers construct mid-rise office buildings made mostly of wood. The General Assembly
On Feb. 12, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) introduced the Trillion Trees Act, legislation that would plant 1 trillion trees globally by 2050 and incentivize the use of wood products as carbon sequestration devices. This legislation is based on a July 2019 Swiss report featured by the American Academy for the Advancement of Science that concluded planting
Mass Timber Is a Climate Solution Researchers from MIT published a report on the economic and emissions benefits of wood construction, finding that lumber production is significantly less CO2 intensive than concrete and iron and steel. Read more → A recent article in Fast Company also highlights the carbon benefits of mass timber, citing that new wood buildings could store up
EPA and the Army finalized the Navigable Waters Protection Rule to define “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) and established federal regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act, providing more clarity for forest landowners. Read more on gfagrow.org → China is increasing imports of logs from New Zealand and Europe, while diminishing imports from North America
Trees, specifically tree planting programs, have received a lot of media attention in recent discussions around climate change solutions. This week, World Economic Forum announced its 1 Trillion Trees Initiative, and GOP House leadership teased a new climate plan that includes an emphasis on tree planting. As discussions around climate solutions continue, it is important
On January 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) finalized the Navigable Waters Protection Rule to define “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) and established federal regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act. The new rule provides more clarity and certainty to enforcement of the Clean Water Act. According
After 18 months of a trade war between the U.S. and China, a “Phase 1” Trade Agreement was signed by both nations earlier this week. While the details of the agreement are still being analyzed, early indications are positive as China has committed to purchases of US forest products as part of the deal. Read more on gfagrow.org →