Forests as Climate Infrastructure: How Southern Working Lands Serve Nature, Economy and Community
Jimmy Bullock
Senior Vice President, Forest Sustainability, Resource Management Services
Jimmy Bullock
Senior Vice President, Forest Sustainability, Resource Management Services
Jimmy Bullock is Senior Vice President of Forest Sustainability at RMS, leading environmental policy, forest certification, and global ESG initiatives. A Certified Wildlife Biologist and Registered Forester, he serves on multiple conservation boards. Honored with national awards, including the Forest Stewardship and Joe Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Awards, Jimmy is a recognized leader in sustainable forestry and natural resource conservation.
Erin Lincoln leads the Harley Langdale, Jr. Center for Forest Business at the University of Georgia, integrating pioneering academic research and sound financial methods to provide education and service to forest industry, investors and landowners throughout the world.
Previously, she held a variety of roles in environmental science, working as a Hydrologist for the USDA, the US Geological Survey and Tetra Tech.
Tim Lowrimore is CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association, leading advocacy, education, and policy initiatives to support Georgia’s $42 billion forest industry. A registered forester with decades of experience in forestry, government, and business, Tim champions sustainable forest management and economic growth. He works to ensure forests remain a vital resource for Georgia’s environment, economy, and communities.
Bob Izlar
Founding Director (Retired), University of Georgia, Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business
Bob Izlar
Founding Director (Retired), University of Georgia, Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business
Bob Izlar is the Founding Director of the Langdale Center for Forest Business at the University of Georgia. A leader in forestry economics and policy, he has dedicated his career to advancing sustainable forest management and business practices. With decades of experience, Bob bridges academia, industry, and government to support responsible forest stewardship and economic development.
A panel of forestry experts including Jimmy Bullock (Resource Management Services), Erin Lincoln (Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business), Tim Lowrimore (Georgia Forestry Association) and Bob Izlar (UGA) emphasized the vital role of Southern forests in climate mitigation, biodiversity support and rural economies. Across 22 million acres of Georgia forestland, a range of sustainable practices and evolving financial strategies are positioning working forests as powerful tools in the fight against climate change.
Working Forests as Natural Carbon Sinks
Southern forests are among the most productive in the world, making them powerful natural carbon sinks. One panelist highlighted that roughly 50% of a tree’s mass is stored carbon, meaning that well-managed forests are already mitigating climate change without needing formal participation in carbon markets. These forests operate on long rotation cycles, capturing and storing carbon over decades while also producing timber. Extending these rotations or simply allowing natural regeneration can further amplify climate benefits. The panel agreed that Southern working forests are delivering essential environmental services, even without major policy incentives.
However, market-based carbon credits are still limited in their impact. One speaker noted that the financial returns from carbon offsets rarely match the income generated by timber harvesting. This is especially true for industrial forest owners, who face fiduciary responsibilities that require maximizing land value. While some small private landowners may pursue credits for conservation-driven reasons, broader adoption hinges on more competitive pricing and better-aligned contract terms.
Best Practices, Biodiversity and Certification
Georgia’s forestry sector has matured into one of the most sustainably managed in the country, thanks in part to its 97% compliance with voluntary Best Management Practices (BMPs). These standards govern activities such as stream crossings and harvest patterns to minimize environmental harm. One speaker pointed out that forest buffers and habitat corridors are now common practice, largely due to widespread logger training and stewardship programs like the Master Timber Harvester certification.
Certification systems—including FSC, SFI, and the American Tree Farm System—further professionalize forest management by requiring documented sustainability plans and regular audits. A panelist emphasized that these standards are not just ecological—they incorporate economic and social benchmarks as well. Certified wood products often enjoy better market access and help position forestry as a viable, long-term land use in a region increasingly challenged by development pressure.
Importantly, the panel challenged the misconception that working forests lack biodiversity. In fact, actively managed forests support a wide variety of species across different stages of growth.
Programs like the Wildlife Conservation Initiative are proving that Southern forests can sustain critical habitats for species such as the gopher tortoise and northern long-eared bat.
These conservation wins don’t require setting land aside but rather integrating habitat support into ongoing forestry operations.
Financial Pressures and Ecosystem Service Opportunities
While timber remains the core revenue stream, landowners are increasingly exploring alternative income from forest ecosystems. Several panelists pointed to activities like hunting leases, medicinal plant harvesting, beekeeping, and pine straw collection as ways to generate supplemental income. These activities help cover operational costs such as property taxes, storm recovery, and road maintenance, though liability and insurance concerns can limit their scalability.
Property taxes, in particular, were identified as a key driver of land conversion. Georgia’s tax burden on Southern forest land is often higher than in neighboring states, especially during years without a harvest. This creates economic pressure to sell land for non-forest uses such as solar farms or suburban development. The panel stressed the importance of tax reform and conservation financing tools to ease this burden and maintain forest continuity.
Recreation and Public Engagement as Future Pathways
Forests also offer untapped cultural and recreational value. Beyond hunting, activities like birdwatching, hiking, and environmental education represent opportunities for broader public engagement. One speaker noted that pilot efforts with groups like Georgia Audubon are beginning to open private lands to low-impact recreation, expanding the social benefits of forest stewardship. These initiatives, while still limited, point to a future in which working forests support not only climate and biodiversity but also community connection and well-being.
No Comments