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Last Tuesday, the Rotary Club gathered at the Kirbo Center for its weekly luncheon, featuring a special Earth Day program with guest speakers Bryan Cottles, Chief Ranger, and Jacob Smith, County Forester, from the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). Their discussion focused on environmental protection, forestry management, and landowner assistance.

Bryan Cottles, who has served as Chief Ranger for five years, oversees five rangers—three in Bainbridge and two in Seminole County. He outlined his responsibilities, which include wildfire response, forest assistance, fire prevention, and collaboration with rural fire departments and communities.

Cottles emphasized the importance of fire safety, particularly regarding permits for open burning. He explained, “People don’t know they need a permit to burn something. They also have to follow guidelines depending on what’s being burned. We get calls all the time about people burning something. It doesn’t matter if it’s land clearing or agriculture—you still need a permit.” He further advised attendees never to leave a fire unattended and to ensure it is fully extinguished before leaving the area.

Additionally, Cottles addressed safe fire-starting practices, explaining that fires should be started at least 25 feet away from wood lines to prevent unintended spread. He reported that they managed 55 fire incidents in the past year, with the annual average sitting at 62 wildfires per year.

Following Cottles, Jacob Smith shared insights into his role as County Forester for Early, Miller, Seminole, Mitchell, and Decatur counties. His responsibilities include ensuring forest health, managing land resources, and advising landowners on sustainable forestry practices.

Smith reflected on his background, noting that he grew up in Concord, Georgia, and pursued a degree in forestry before transitioning from private forest management to public service forestry. His previous work focused on timber sales and conservation strategies, but his current role emphasizes assisting landowners in maintaining thriving forests for wildlife, recreation, and economic purposes.

Smith elaborated on the Georgia Forestry Commission’s dual mission of forest management and protection, highlighting the balance between agriculture, conservation, and revenue generation. He detailed the Commission’s training programs, noting that staff assist in controlled burns, fire suppression, and land conservation efforts.

Key statistics shared included:

• Over 500 employees across 110 offices in Georgia
• More than 4 million acres are managed through prescribed burns
• Thousands of landowners assisted in wildfire prevention and land conservation
• Forestry rangers deployed to Texas, Utah, and California for disaster recovery efforts

Smith emphasized wildfire prevention, stating that in Fiscal Year 2024, Georgia saw over 2,500 wildfires, burning approximately 14,000 acres. He noted that foresters and rangers work collaboratively to protect timber, water resources, and landowners’ properties.

Smith introduced cost-share programs available to landowners, including:

• Southern Pine Beetle Cost-Share Program (to control invasive beetles)
• Invasive Plant Control Program (addressing species like Chinese privet and kudzu)
• Arbor Day Foundation Tree Planting Program
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (providing funds for prescribed burns, firebreak management, and habitat improvement)
• Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) (which converts agricultural land into protected forests to support native wildlife)

Additionally, Smith discussed disaster recovery programs, such as the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), which helps landowners restore forests after hurricanes and severe weather.

Beyond conservation, Smith underscored forestry’s role in daily life, explaining that forests provide resources for:

• Lumber, paper, and packaging materials
• Artificial kidney liners used in transplants
• Essential elements in toothpaste, chewing gum, and food boxes

Smith concluded by encouraging attendees to reach out for guidance on forestry programs, inviting them to visit his office in Early County for assistance. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak, reinforcing the Forestry Commission’s commitment to environmental sustainability and landowner support.

Afterward, Rotary President Tommie Howell adjourned the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary Creed.