SGSF Committees & Task Forces

Committees

Committees are long-standing groups with continuing responsibilities and are led by a Chair and State Forester liaison. Committee Chairs are appointed to two-year terms and maintain a permanent file of minutes, events, and notes.

Committee leadership consists of a Chair and State Forester liaison. Committee Chairs are appointed to two-year terms and maintain a permanent file of minutes, events, and notes.

The Communications Committee serves in an advisory capacity to SGSF by recommending strategies to accomplish the SGSF Communications Plan, assisting in refining issues, and framing messages.
Committee Chair: John Campbell (VA)

The Forest Management Committee advises and supports SGSF in responding to emerging issues and in developing and implementing policies, programs and procedures affecting southern forest resource health, diversity, productivity, and sustainability.
Committee chair: Pam Snyder (KY)

The Forest Protection & Fire Committee promotes effective means to protect rural and urban communities from wildfire; works to improve firefighting efficiency and safety; and presents a regional perspective on southern fire issues.
Committee Chair: John Kirksey (TN)

The Research Committee advises, guides and supports SGSF with responses to priority and emerging issues; develops and implements policies, programs and procedures affecting southern forest resource research; and assists with inventory and analysis of southern natural resource information.
Committee chair: Robert Farris (GA)

The Urban & Community Forestry Committee provides leadership in SGSF by raising awareness about tree benefits; creating investments to plan, manage and grow community trees; helping communities grow with trees in mind through new solutions; and connecting urban and rural community forests to help people wherever they live.
Committee Chair: Leslie Moorman (NC)

The Water Resources Committee develops processes by which Best Management Practices (BMPs) are applied consistently on forestlands across the South; advises SGSF on emerging water issues; and works to improve technical expertise in forest watershed management.
Committee Chair:Matt Poirot (VA)

The Southern Wildland Urban Interface Council (SWUIC) supports the leadership role of the SGSF in identifying and addressing Wildland Urban Interface issues; serves as a liaison between SGSF, U.S. Forest Service, Cooperative Extension Service, Universities and other stakeholders and InterfaceSouth; and helps identify research needs and guide technology transfer activities of InterfaceSouth.
Task Force Chair: Tom Boggus (TX)

SGSF task forces are formed to accomplish specific objectives.

The Forest Health Task Force monitors threats from insects, diseases, invasive plants and other events that can affect forest health and advises SGSF on strategies to protect and improve the health of southern forests.
Task Force Chair: Ron Billings (TX)

The Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Task Force works in cooperation with the Southern Research Station FIA Research Unit to best utilize the periodic forest data collection from private and public land to monitor forest resources, forest use and forest health.
Task Force Chair: Darren Spinks (AR)

The GIS Task Force communicates opportunities for collaboration on Geographic Information Systems and other spatial analysis projects that will help accomplish SGSF's strategic goals.
Task Force Chair: Patrick Glass (MS)

The Environmental Services, Utilization & Marketing (SUM) Task Force develops sound forest carbon policy for southern states; identifies opportunities for family forest owner participation in environmental service markets; and advises SGSF on strategies to strengthen forest products markets.
Task Force Chair: Burl Carraway (TX)