Georgia Forestry Commission

Funds for This Program Will Be Used to Educate Landowners, Resource Professional, and Civic Organization on Non-native Invasive Plants and Insects, and Native Insects and Pathogens That Cause Economic and Ecological Damage to the Forests of Georgia With an Emphasis on Invasive Plants and Insects That Thrive in Open Forest Conditions. Funding Will Be Use to Cover Time Spent by Forest Health Staff Traveling and Presenting Programs in Addition to Sponsoring Events That Highlight Forest Health in Response to Hurricane Helene. in Partnership With the University of Georgia, Funds Will Go Towards Establishing Forest Health Monitoring Plots to Evaluate Economically Important Insects and Pathogens That Effect Forests Across Multiple Damage Categories, Latitudes and Stand Ages. Uga Will Collaborate With State Agencies and Usfs to Develop a Visual Assessment Protocol for Rapid and Practical Implementations. Plots Will Be Monitored for 1-3 Years Post Hurricane Helene. Initial Plots Are Planned to Be Established in Late Summer to Early Fall 2025. the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) Will Provide Assistance in Locating and Requesting Permission for Monitoring Access on Private Lands. Funding Will Cover the Cost of Technician Expenses for Field Work and Travel, Plus Time Spent by GFC Employees Finding Sites for Monitoring Access on Private Lands. After the Monitoring Has Ended Outreach Publications and Presentations Will Be Produced Based on the Data Collected. Economically Significant Native and Non-native Insects Are Monitored Annually in the State of Georgia. Hurricane Force Winds and Disturbed/stressed Forest Stands Can Be a Haven for the Spread of Pests. Using Already in Place Trapping Protocols We Will Expand Several of Our Monitoring Programs in Disaster Declared Areas to Monitor for Pests Such as Pine Beetles, Spongy Moth, and Emerald Ash Borer for 2-3 Years Post Hurricane. Additional Monitoring Provides a Basis for Early Detection and Rapid Response Efforts to Enhance the Protection of Georgia's Forests From Nonnative Insects, and Diseasesnon-native, Invasive Plants Can Cause Economic and Ecological Damage to Forests of Georgia. Currently Ample Funding Is Available to Address Hurricane Helene's Effect on Private Lands But Not on State Lands. State Land Managers Will Survey and Target Stands That Have Open Forest Conditions in Which Non-native Invasive Plants Thrive. Targeted Treatments by Georgia Forestry Commission Forestry Technicians Will Be Conducted on Tallow Tree, Chinese Privet, Japanese Climbing Fern, Callery Pear, and Additional Non-native Invasive Plants as Necessary That Inhabit State Property. Multiple Treatments Will Be Conducted to Ensure Eradication.