Bringing Together Economic Progress & Ecological Preservation
Senator Jon Ossoff Participates in GFA Annual Conference
Fall 2023
By John Casey
Pictured above: Senator Jon Ossoff (center) and Georgia Forestry Association President & CEO Andres Villegas (right of center) join forestry leaders at the Jones Center in Ichauway.
A formidable force in the global forestry landscape, the United States forestry sector stands as a perennial top contributor to the international trade of forest products — with the state of Georgia, the top forestry state in the nation, leading the charge.
As the industry continuously expands to meet global needs, it is crucial for the state to implement forward-thinking forestry policies that ensure both economic progress and ecological preservation. In order to sustain the growth of the industry both economically and environmentally, federal policy must be aligned with the needs of forestry stakeholders.
In a recent visit to the Jones Center at Ichauway, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff (D) sat down with Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) President & CEO AndresVillegas and a select group of forestry leaders to discuss his efforts in driving federal forestry policy that better serves the industry both across the nation and in his home state. As the conversation unfolded amidst the serene backdrop of longleaf pines, a vital platform emerged for exploring the symbiotic relationship between environmental preservation and responsible forest utilization, ultimately pointing towards a brighter and greener future for Georgia’s precious woodlands.
A Love of the Wild
Since his election to the U.S. Senate in 2020, Senator Ossoff has maintained a steadfast commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by Georgia’s forests through comprehensive, inclusive federal forest policy. That commitment comes naturally to Ossoff, who spent much of his childhood hiking and camping with his father in the vast forests of our state.
“I grew up in the outdoors. I love Georgia’s wild places. I did a lot of backpacking through the Appalachians as a child and through adolescence, and now I’m doing what I can to carve out the time to give that same gift to my 18-month-old baby daughter, Eva, as she grows up,” said Senator Ossoff. “I think that is something that unites Georgians and unites Americans. A love of wilderness, a love of wild places and a love of the outdoors.”
Asking the Hard-Hitting Questions
Three GFA stakeholders were invited to join the conversation with Ossoff where they asked the senator key questions
about how he plans to support the forestry industry.
Deon Nelson, vice president of government relations for the National Alliance of Forest Owners, kicked off the conversation with a question about Senator Ossoff’s motivation behind what is likely to be one of the most important pieces of federal legislation for the forestry industry in recent years: the Forest Data Modernization
Act (FDMA). Introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier this year by Senator Ossoff and his colleague from across the aisle, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy (R), the bill aims to modernize the data collection efforts of the USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program to meet the rapidly growing market demand for standardized, high-quality data to support sustainable forest-management decisions.
“The quality of data that is available to foresters has a direct impact on the bottom line for landowners. I’ve heard consistently that the data is not in a shape that is maximally accessible and usable, nor is the forest service using the latest technology and techniques to provide the high-quality data that is so important for landowners,” said Senator Ossoff. “For example, a lot of the uncertainty and ambiguity around carbon markets can be resolved with better
data collection and better data analysis.
A better understanding nationwide of the health of America’s forests can be achieved through better data collection,
better data management and better data analysis. This is in the bipartisan bill that I’ve introduced, thanks to great guidance from GFA, and I’ll always try and work across the aisle to get things done for the state. I’m hoping we can advance this in the farm bill later this year.”
As federal policy around the forestry industry continues to evolve, so does the use of forest products around the world.
In the words of Marshal Thomas, president and CEO of F&W Forestry, the relationship between man and trees has been constantly evolving throughout our history — at some points becoming contentious. The expiring anti deforestation movement that aimed to stall forestry operations around the world led to a weakened market for forest products, which, in turn, led to weakened forest health and management efforts. Now, with inclusive sustainable forestry models leading the industry, Thomas hopes that the negative perceptions of forestry can be overcome. He asked Senator Ossoff how forestry stakeholders can partner with his office to promote education on sustainability in the hope of bolstering the forest products market.
As the industry continuously expands to meet global needs, it is crucial for the state to implement forward-thinking forestry policies that ensure both economic progress and ecological preservation. In order to sustain the growth of the industry both economically and environmentally, federal policy must be aligned with the needs of forestry stakeholders.
In a recent visit to the Jones Center at Ichauway, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff (D) sat down with Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) President & CEO AndresVillegas and a select group of forestry leaders to discuss his efforts in driving federal forestry policy that better serves the industry both across the nation and in his home state. As the conversation unfolded amidst the serene backdrop of longleaf pines, a vital platform emerged for exploring the symbiotic relationship between environmental preservation and responsible forest utilization, ultimately pointing towards a brighter and greener future for Georgia’s precious woodlands.
A Love of the Wild
Since his election to the U.S. Senate in 2020, Senator Ossoff has maintained a steadfast commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by Georgia’s forests through comprehensive, inclusive federal forest policy. That commitment comes naturally to Ossoff, who spent much of his childhood hiking and camping with his father in the vast forests of our state.
“I grew up in the outdoors. I love Georgia’s wild places. I did a lot of backpacking through the Appalachians as a child and through adolescence, and now I’m doing what I can to carve out the time to give that same gift to my 18-month-old baby daughter, Eva, as she grows up,” said Senator Ossoff. “I think that is something that unites Georgians and unites Americans. A love of wilderness, a love of wild places and a love of the outdoors.”
Asking the Hard-Hitting Questions
Three GFA stakeholders were invited to join the conversation with Ossoff where they asked the senator key questions
about how he plans to support the forestry industry.
Deon Nelson, vice president of government relations for the National Alliance of Forest Owners, kicked off the conversation with a question about Senator Ossoff’s motivation behind what is likely to be one of the most important pieces of federal legislation for the forestry industry in recent years: the Forest Data Modernization
Act (FDMA). Introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier this year by Senator Ossoff and his colleague from across the aisle, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy (R), the bill aims to modernize the data collection efforts of the USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program to meet the rapidly growing market demand for standardized, high-quality data to support sustainable forest-management decisions.
“The quality of data that is available to foresters has a direct impact on the bottom line for landowners. I’ve heard consistently that the data is not in a shape that is maximally accessible and usable, nor is the forest service using the latest technology and techniques to provide the high-quality data that is so important for landowners,” said Senator Ossoff. “For example, a lot of the uncertainty and ambiguity around carbon markets can be resolved with better
data collection and better data analysis.
A better understanding nationwide of the health of America’s forests can be achieved through better data collection,
better data management and better data analysis. This is in the bipartisan bill that I’ve introduced, thanks to great guidance from GFA, and I’ll always try and work across the aisle to get things done for the state. I’m hoping we can advance this in the farm bill later this year.”
As federal policy around the forestry industry continues to evolve, so does the use of forest products around the world.
In the words of Marshal Thomas, president and CEO of F&W Forestry, the relationship between man and trees has been constantly evolving throughout our history — at some points becoming contentious. The expiring anti deforestation movement that aimed to stall forestry operations around the world led to a weakened market for forest products, which, in turn, led to weakened forest health and management efforts. Now, with inclusive sustainable forestry models leading the industry, Thomas hopes that the negative perceptions of forestry can be overcome. He asked Senator Ossoff how forestry stakeholders can partner with his office to promote education on sustainability in the hope of bolstering the forest products market.
“We need to work together to find the public revenue streams that can help support some of that pilot-stage economic development and continue to establish Georgia as an advanced manufacturing hub for the whole world using Georgia forestry products.”— Senator Jon Ossoff
“This is an era of opportunity in the industry, particularly as so many new applications and uses of wood products are emerging and being developed. For the more traditional wood products, we have to work together to expand access to global markets. I’ve had success doing that, for example, with Georgia’s pecan growers facing high tariffs in India that we negotiated down by over 70%,” said Senator Ossoff. “I know that Georgia foresters face similar market access challenges in the European Union and in Asia. That’s something I want to work with stakeholders to address. With some of the emerging applications of your products, whether in chemicals or energy, the automotive or aviation sectors, there are a lot of opportunities to support research and development and new plants utilizing forest products grown and refined right here in Georgia. We need to work together to find the public revenue streams that can help support some of that pilot-stage economic development and continue to establish Georgia as an advanced manufacturing hub for the whole world using Georgia forestry products.”
A familiar face for Ossoff, fellow Democrat and lawmaker Georgia State Representative Debbie Buckner (DJunction
City) brought forth the final question of the discussion. Buckner, who sits on the GFA Board, has a personal
love for trees and forests that is shared by people across the nation — for reasons she acknowledges as largely apolitical.
With that in mind, she asked, how can federal lawmakers maintain an apolitical position that fosters meaningful support and care for forests and the forestry industry in the years to come?
“My view is that most folks don’t eat, breathe, live and sleep partisan politics or identify particularly as partisans
for one party or another,” Senator Ossoff replied. “I think more and more Georgians and Americans identify as
politically independent and are tired of the constant scorched-Earth, fight-to-the-death political atmosphere. The way I’ve been able to get things done for Georgia and the way we are getting this Forest Data Modernization Act a fighting shot in the farm bill is by working across the aisle and being in close touch with my constituents. It’s not about politics.
We need to stick together, stay focused on our shared interests as Georgians and tune out a lot of the political noise so we can get a lot done together.”
A Glimpse into Ancient Forests
After a day exploring the towering tree canopies at the Jones Center at Ichauway, Senator Ossoff had high praise for the center’s staff and their continuous work and contributions to understanding the importance of forest ecosystems and responsible forest management.
“This was a beautiful sight and experience. I learned about the extraordinary history and Mr. Robert Woodruff who came here for his quail hunting retreat and then left this to the foundation to be stewarded in this way. It’s extraordinary, with the longleaf pine here, that we are seeing an ecosystem that looks quite similar to what we believe it looked like predating human agriculture in this part of the world,” said Senator Ossoff. “It’s a window into the forests of ancient history in that way but also such a resource for scientists and foresters today to study these species, to understand how prescribed burn can help not just with longleaf pines but for landowners who are stewarding a variety of species across the state. I’m grateful to the naturalists, ecologists and amazing staff here at the Jones Center for hosting us.” ■
A familiar face for Ossoff, fellow Democrat and lawmaker Georgia State Representative Debbie Buckner (DJunction
City) brought forth the final question of the discussion. Buckner, who sits on the GFA Board, has a personal
love for trees and forests that is shared by people across the nation — for reasons she acknowledges as largely apolitical.
With that in mind, she asked, how can federal lawmakers maintain an apolitical position that fosters meaningful support and care for forests and the forestry industry in the years to come?
“My view is that most folks don’t eat, breathe, live and sleep partisan politics or identify particularly as partisans
for one party or another,” Senator Ossoff replied. “I think more and more Georgians and Americans identify as
politically independent and are tired of the constant scorched-Earth, fight-to-the-death political atmosphere. The way I’ve been able to get things done for Georgia and the way we are getting this Forest Data Modernization Act a fighting shot in the farm bill is by working across the aisle and being in close touch with my constituents. It’s not about politics.
We need to stick together, stay focused on our shared interests as Georgians and tune out a lot of the political noise so we can get a lot done together.”
A Glimpse into Ancient Forests
After a day exploring the towering tree canopies at the Jones Center at Ichauway, Senator Ossoff had high praise for the center’s staff and their continuous work and contributions to understanding the importance of forest ecosystems and responsible forest management.
“This was a beautiful sight and experience. I learned about the extraordinary history and Mr. Robert Woodruff who came here for his quail hunting retreat and then left this to the foundation to be stewarded in this way. It’s extraordinary, with the longleaf pine here, that we are seeing an ecosystem that looks quite similar to what we believe it looked like predating human agriculture in this part of the world,” said Senator Ossoff. “It’s a window into the forests of ancient history in that way but also such a resource for scientists and foresters today to study these species, to understand how prescribed burn can help not just with longleaf pines but for landowners who are stewarding a variety of species across the state. I’m grateful to the naturalists, ecologists and amazing staff here at the Jones Center for hosting us.” ■
John Casey is a strategic communications consultant with a primary focus on journalism, politics and public policy.
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Georgia Forestry Magazine is published by HL Strategy, an integrated marketing and communications firm focused on our nation's biggest challenges and opportunities. Learn more at hlstrategy.com
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