Earlier this month, the Georgia Forestry Association and Georgia Forestry Foundation welcomed more than 40 landowners and partners to Summerville for a Landowner Field Day focused on one thing: practical, in-the-woods learning.
The day offered real-world insights and hands-on experiences to help landowners better manage and sustain their forests. Participants rotated through a series of sessions led by forestry professionals and fellow landowners, covering key topics such as carbon markets, montane longleaf restoration, wildlife management, and hardwood management.
One of the most impactful moments of the day was the “Learn and Burn,” where attendees had the opportunity to get hands-on with drip torches and safely put fire on the ground. The exercise provided a tangible understanding of prescribed fire as a management tool—something that can’t be fully appreciated in a classroom setting.
The agenda also included a landowner testimonial, giving participants the chance to hear directly from a peer navigating many of the same decisions, challenges, and opportunities. That perspective helped ground the day’s discussions in real experience and reinforced the value of shared learning.
Events like the Summerville Field Day play an important role in equipping landowners with both knowledge and confidence. By combining expert guidance with peer-to-peer engagement, these gatherings create a collaborative environment where participants can ask questions, exchange ideas, and walk away with actionable takeaways for their own properties.
Looking ahead, the next Landowner Field Day will take place in Alapaha on May 5. The program will cover a timely range of topics, including Hurricane Helene recovery, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer, understory restoration, pine straw management, education and outreach, and another Learn and Burn experience.
Landowners and partners are encouraged to attend and continue building on the momentum from Summerville. Full photo album here! Additional details and registration information are available on the events page at www.gfagrow.org/events.