The Georgia Forestry Forum

Welcome to the Georgia Forestry Forum!
In today’s episode, GFC’s Paul McDaniel, RT Lumpkin, Thomas Barrett, and Matthew Mrizek explore the high-tech side of forestry and the tools changing the way we manage and protect Georgia’s forests. From drones used for wildfire response and prescribed burning to satellite imagery and 3D models, they break down how technology is being put to work in the field every day. Along the way, they share real-world examples of how these tools are helping GFC respond faster, make better decisions, identify forest health threats, and tackle challenges on the ground, proving there’s a lot more technology in the woods than you might think.

Find us online:
Website: https://gatrees.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaForestryCommission/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatrees/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GaTrees

Thomas Barrett
Forest Protection Chief
Georgia Forestry Commission
tbarrett@gfc.state.ga.us 

Paul McDaniel
Forest Health Coordinator
Georgia Forestry Commission
pmcdaniel@gfc.state.ga.us 

RT Lumpkin
Prescribed Fire Center Coordinator
Georgia Forestry Commission
rlumpkin@gfc.state.ga.us

Matthew Mrizek
Staff Forester, Dixon Memorial State Forest
Georgia Forestry Commission
mmrizek@gfc.state.ga.us

Credits:
YouTube Audio Library - 
Duck in the Alley by Tracktribe
Lazy Boy Blues by Unicorn Heads
A Trip Around the Moon by Unicorn Heads
Modern Situations by Unicorn Heads
Sweet Release by Dan Lebowitz

Freesound.org Attributions - 
Bug Eating Plants by Samantha_Dolman 
Cinematic Impact Boom by Universfield 
Deep Cinematic Impact by MeijstroAudio
Digital Wildfire by vekoN
Keyboard by MattRuthSound
Medium Sized Propellor Plane by soundslikewillem 
Radio Click 4 by ERH 
Have ideas, feedback, or questions? Let us know!

Welcome to the Georgia Forestry Forum!
In today’s episode, GFC's Chelsea York, GADNR's Kim Morris-Zarneke, and educator Ann Marie Brezina explore what happens when teachers trade the classroom for a week in the field at the Georgia Teacher Conservation Workshop.
 From forest management and prescribed fire to wildlife, water, and conservation, you’ll hear how immersive, hands-on experiences help educators better understand Georgia’s natural resources and give them the tools to bring those lessons back to their students. Plus, we look back at this summer’s first-ever Advanced Teacher Conservation Workshop and how more than 20 years of TCW is helping build a more informed generation of Georgia’s future decision-makers. 

Learn more about the Teacher Conservation Workshop:
Georgia Teacher Conservation Workshop
TCW Facebook Page

Resources and programs discussed:
Georgia Project Learning Tree
LEARNING IS IN OUR NATURE - Project Learning Tree (National)
Project WILD | Department Of Natural Resources Division
Project WILD (National)
Georgia Project WET
Project Wet (National)
Lancaster Camp
Outdoor Wildlife Leadership School(OWLS) | Georgia Natural Resources Foundation
NRCW (Natural Resources Conservation Workshop)
Georgia Science Teachers Association - Conference

Find Georgia Forestry Commission online:
Website: https://gatrees.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaForestryCommission/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatrees/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GaTrees

Find Georgia Department of Natural Resources online:
Website: https://gadnr.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gadnr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiawildlife/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/GeorgiaWild

Chelsea York
Educator Coordinator, Georgia Forestry Commission
State Co-Coordinator, Project Learning Tree
cyork@gfc.state.ga.us

Kim Morris-Zarneke
Program Manager, Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center
State Coordinator, Project WILD
kim.morris-zarneke@dnr.ga.gov

Ann Marie Brezina
Sustainability and Ag. Sciences Director
High School Environmental Science Teacher

Credits:
YouTube Audio Library - 
Duck in the Alley by Tracktribe
Under the Sun by Everet Almond
Come Along by Dan Lebowitz
Top of the Morning by TrackTribe

Freesound.org Attributions - 
Bug Eating Plants by Samantha_Dolman
Cinematic Impact Boom by Universfield 
Digital Wildfire by vekoN
Foresters Tractor and Sawing Trees by dibko 
Keyboard by MattRuthSound
Have ideas, feedback, or questions? Let us know!

Welcome to the Georgia Forestry Forum!
In today’s episode, GFC Forest Management Chief Troy Clymer and Management Forester Jeff Kastle, recipient of the 2025 U.S. Forest Service Forester Award, share the most common (and often most costly) mistakes they see landowners make across Georgia’s forests. From selling timber without multiple bids and skipping a forest management plan to overlooking early warning signs of insects and invasive species, they offer practical advice, real-world stories, and simple steps that can help landowners protect their investment and become better stewards of their land.

Find us online:
Website: https://gatrees.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaForestryCommission/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatrees/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GaTrees

Troy Clymer
Chief of Forest Management 
Georgia Forestry Commission
tclymer@gfc.state.ga.us

Jeff Kastle
Management Forester, Region II
Georgia Forestry Commission
jkastle@gfc.state,ga.us

Credits:
YouTube Audio Library - 
Duck in the Alley by Tracktribe
Birdseye Blues by Chris Haugen
Sunrise From a Moonbeam by Dan Lebowitz
Country Sky by Telecasted

Freesound.org Attributions - 
Birds at Bells Bend by food4sparrows
Bug Eating Plants by Samantha_Dolman 
Cha Ching by Lucish_ 
Cinematic Impact Boom by Universfield 
Deep Cinematic Impact by MeijstroAudio
Digital Wildfire by vekoN
Dog Triple Bark by crazymonke9
Keyboard by MattRuthSound
Magic Fireball by JoelAudio 
Medium Sized Propellor Plane by soundslikewillem 
Phone Ringing by AUDACITIER
Quail Call by dobroide 
The Sound of Ice During Melting by dibko

Have ideas, feedback, or questions? Let us know!

Welcome to the Georgia Forestry Forum!
In today’s episode, GFC's Response Center Managers Ashlee Booth and Rebecca Waller give an inside look at the work of a GFC Dispatcher. Fielding more than 120,000 calls and coordinating over 3,000 dispatches each year, these professionals are the vital link between the public and wildland firefighters in the field. You’ll hear how dispatchers balance customer service with emergency response, along with some of their most memorable calls and moments that define one of the most fast-paced, high-stakes roles in the entire agency. 

Find Georgia Forestry Commission online:
Website: https://gatrees.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaForestryCommission/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatrees/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GaTrees

Ashlee Booth
Central Response Center Manager
Georgia Forestry Commission
abooth@gfc.state.ga.us

Rebecca Waller
Southern Response Center Manager
Georgia Forestry Commission
rwaller@gfc.state.ga.us 

Credits:
YouTube Audio Library - 
Duck in the Alley by Tracktribe
The Painted Night by National Sweetheart
Rollin' by Lauren Duski
You Are The Only by Tracktribe

Freesound.org Attributions - 
Blackbird Fly By by acclivity
Cinematic Impact Boom by Universfield 
Deep Cinematic Impact by MeijstroAudio 
Dial by CGEffex
Dialing on an iPhone by pfranzen 
Digital Wildfire by vekoN
Medium Sized Propellor Plane by soundslikewillem 
Radio Click 4 by ERH 
Tractor Plowing by Jukar

Have ideas, feedback, or questions? Let us know!

NOTE: This episode was recorded and scheduled for release prior to the South Georgia wildfires. All updates regarding the South Georgia wildfires can be found here.

Welcome to the Georgia Forestry Forum!
In today’s episode, GFC Forest Health Specialists Paul McDaniel and Mark McClure give you the lowdown on cogongrass in Georgia. You’ll learn how to identify this aggressive invasive species, how to report it, and why early detection is key to stopping the spread - along with a breakdown of the treatment options GFC offers to landowners at no cost. 

Report cogongrass sightings here:
Cogongrass In Georgia – Report It | Georgia Forestry Commission
Learn more about cogongrass.

Find Georgia Forestry Commission online:
Website: https://gatrees.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaForestryCommission/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatrees/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GaTrees

Paul McDaniel
Forest Health Coordinator
Georgia Forestry Commission
pmcdaniel@gfc.state.ga.us

Mark McClure
Forest Health Specialist
Georgia Forestry Commission
mmcclure@gfc.state.ga.us

Credits:
YouTube Audio Library - 
Duck in the Alley by Tracktribe
Mood Ring by National Sweetheart
Swampland by Chris Haugen
Where I Stand (Ft. Anahita Skye) by Blue Deer

Freesound.org Attributions - 
Birds at Bells Bend_01 by food4sparrows 
Bug Eating Plants by Samantha_Dolman
Cinematic Impact Boom by Universfield 
Dialing on an iPhone by pfranzen 
Digital Wildfire by vekoN
Dramatic Organ, A by InspectorJ 
Jar of Nails by PaulPauwels 
Keyboard by MattRuthSound
Sleigh Bells Sound Effect by GowlerMusic
Sword Slice 23 by Black Snow 
Have ideas, feedback, or questions? Let us know!