SGSF Committees

Advises and supports SGSF in responding to emerging forest management issues by developing and implementing policies, programs and procedures to support southern forest health, diversity, productivity and sustainability.

Promotes effective strategies to protect both rural and urban communities from wildfire, while working to improve firefighting efficiency and safety across the region. The committee also promotes the regional perspective on southern wildland fire management.

Supports, promotes and cultivates traditional and emerging forest markets on a domestic and global scale; advises SGSF on strategies to strengthen forest products markets, recruit new industries and promote the social and ecological benefits that rural and urban forests provide to the public.

Monitors threats from insects, diseases, invasive plants and other events that can impact forest health, and advises SGSF on strategies to protect and improve the health of southern forests.

Collaborates to raise awareness about the benefits of community trees, in both rural and urban settings; Provides resources and support to facilitate the planning, management and growth of trees within local communities across the South.

Develops processes by which Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water quality are applied consistently on forestlands across the South; advises SGSF on emerging forest-water resource issues and works to improve technical expertise in forest watershed management.

Works in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station to monitor forest resources, forest use and forest health by leveraging regularly-collected forest data about private and public lands

Serves in an advisory and operational capacity by recommending and implementing strategies to accomplish the SGSF communications plan, while supporting all committee needs for communications, marketing and public relations.

Communicates opportunities for collaboration on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other spatial analysis projects to help accomplish SGSF’s strategic goals.