In something

of a surprise - given Georgia's dramatic urban growth - the report said

the state's forestland base has remained relatively stable over the last

70 years. The base has even grown by 200,000 acres in the past five years

due to conversion of agricultural land to trees. Some 600,000 private

landowners - most of them families - own 72 percent of the forests in

Georgia.

Economic data

developed by Georgia Tech and included in the report show forestry has

a direct impact (business output) of $19.5 billion on the state's economy

and an indirect impact of $30.5 billion. Georgia forestry is directly

responsible for 77,266 jobs with a payroll of $3.6 billion. Indirectly,

forestry is the basis for 204,000 jobs with a payroll of more than $7.7

billion.

The economic

impact numbers do not take into account the non-economic benefits that

flow from Georgia forests, such as improved air and water quality, abundant

and diverse wildlife, and green space and recreational opportunities for

an enhanced quality of life for all citizens.

"Challenges

that affect the future of the state's vital forest industry and related

forestry community need to be addressed now," the report said. "Global

competition, available markets for wood fiber, taxes, and continued urbanization

and resulting impact on land values and taxation are just some of the

factors that have already begun to influence the future of the industry.

These issues affect forest landowner decisions about future investments

in forests and industry decisions about making investment in manufacturing

facilities."

"State

of the Forest: A Report on Georgia Forests 2003" can be found at

www.gfc.state.ga.us/Publications/Educational/StateOfTheForestReport. pdf.

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