SGSF Committees & Task Forces

The Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) has several Committees comprised of state employees. They provide in-depth analysis, expertise, and recommendations for policy and management.

The leadership of the committee is made up of a Chair and State Forester(SF) liaison. Committee Chairs are appointed to two-year terms and maintain a permanent file of minutes, events, and notes.

Research Committee
This committee advises, guides and supports the Southern Group of State Foresters' (SGSF) with responses to priority and emerging issues, development and implementation of policies, programs and procedures affecting Southern forest resource research. They also help with the inventory and analysis of natural resource information pertinent to State Foresters and state forestry organizations.
Committee chair: Bob Schowalter (SC)

Forest Management Committee
This committee is established to address forest management issues of regional concern and is responsible for advising, guiding and supporting Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) in responding to emerging issues and in the development and implementation of policies, programs and procedures in all matters and concerns affecting southern forest resource diversity, health, productivity, and sustainability.
Committee chair: Tom Boggus (TX)

Forest Protection and Fire Committee
The Southern Group of State Foresters established the Fire Committee to bring a unified perspective to the uniqueness of Southern wildfires. The Committee works together to improve efficiency and promote effective means to protect rural and urban communities. Collectively, they strive to develop regional perspectives and a single voice on Southern fire issues.
Committee Chair: John Miller (VA)

Urban & Community Forestry Committee
The Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program provides financial and technical assistance to communities in order to protect, establish, and manage trees, forests, and related resources. This includes planting or managing trees on public and private land, along streets, in residential areas, and in parks and commercial developments.
Committee Chair: Mark Bays (OK)

Water Resources Committee
The SGSF established the Water Resources Committee in 2003 to advise them on water issues and to improve technical expertise in forest watershed management. The primary role of the Committee is to develop processes by which Best Management Practices (BMPs) are applied consistently on forestlands across the South.
Committee Chair: Frank Greene (GA)

Communications Committee
The Communications Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) by recommending communication strategies for SGSF identified issues, assisting in refining issues, and framing messages.
Committee Chair: Marilynn Grossmann (TX)

GIS Task Force
The GIS Task Force is composed of a core group of professionals representing all SGSF member states and organizations. The primary objective of the task force is to communicate opportunities for collaboration on GIS and other spatial analysis projects that will further the SGSF's strategic goals.
Task Force Chair: Scott Phillips (SC)

FIA Task Force
The SGSF FIA Task Force represents the best interest of the State Foresters in the development and the implementation of the forest inventory and analysis. The Task Force works in cooperation with the Southern Research Station Forest Inventory and Analysis Research Unit.
Task Force Chair: Darren Spinks (AR)

SWUI Council
Task Force Chair: Tom Boggus (TX)

Services, Utilization & Marketing
Task Force Chair: Doug Schnabel (TN)

Forest Health
Task Force Chair: Ron Billings (TX)