Q&A: Tim Lowrimore, Director of Georgia Forestry Commission
Spring 2021
Earlier this year, Macon native Tim Lowrimore assumed his new duties as state forester and director of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). He is a registered forester with the Georgia Board of Foresters and has more than 20 years of forestry and professional experience. Lowrimore’s vision and hope is for GFC to continue to build on its first 100 years of serving Georgia landowners, citizens and the state’s sustainable forest resource.
What are your first impressions in this new role?
I immediately recognized that our agency and our people are impressive — they are rooted in integrity, equality, and using facts to make good decisions. I’ve seen first-hand the commitment and passion our employees have, not only for their job roles and responsibilities, but also for providing leadership, service and education to protect and conserve Georgia’s forest resources.
What opportunities do you see on the horizon for Georgia forestry?
Our state is changing quickly, and forestry is changing fast, too. Many opportunities are in front of us: carbon mitigation, ecosystem services, mass timber and new technologies. It’s evident that innovation is going to be a key factor in our success. And I fully anticipate seeing more companies look to Georgia forests in the future for real solutions for their Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) policies. There aren’t many states that can offer the forest resources Georgia does.
With GFC celebrating its 100th anniversary, what is your vision for this well-established agency?
My vision and hope for GFC is that we will continue to build on our first 100 years of being wise stewards of the investment Georgia leaders have made in the agency — and the investment Georgia landowners have made in their forests! GFC adheres well to its mission: to promote, protect and conserve healthy, sustainable forests. I truly believe GFC has played a big role in helping Georgia become the #1 forestry state in the nation. In broad terms, my goal is to position GFC to do the things we’ve always done well, to support the existing forestry infrastructure of landowner and industry, and to lead on the emerging trends to ensure Georgia remains a national leader in forestry. ■
I immediately recognized that our agency and our people are impressive — they are rooted in integrity, equality, and using facts to make good decisions. I’ve seen first-hand the commitment and passion our employees have, not only for their job roles and responsibilities, but also for providing leadership, service and education to protect and conserve Georgia’s forest resources.
What opportunities do you see on the horizon for Georgia forestry?
Our state is changing quickly, and forestry is changing fast, too. Many opportunities are in front of us: carbon mitigation, ecosystem services, mass timber and new technologies. It’s evident that innovation is going to be a key factor in our success. And I fully anticipate seeing more companies look to Georgia forests in the future for real solutions for their Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) policies. There aren’t many states that can offer the forest resources Georgia does.
With GFC celebrating its 100th anniversary, what is your vision for this well-established agency?
My vision and hope for GFC is that we will continue to build on our first 100 years of being wise stewards of the investment Georgia leaders have made in the agency — and the investment Georgia landowners have made in their forests! GFC adheres well to its mission: to promote, protect and conserve healthy, sustainable forests. I truly believe GFC has played a big role in helping Georgia become the #1 forestry state in the nation. In broad terms, my goal is to position GFC to do the things we’ve always done well, to support the existing forestry infrastructure of landowner and industry, and to lead on the emerging trends to ensure Georgia remains a national leader in forestry. ■
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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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