The Center for Forest Business Mission
The Langdale Center for Forest Business is in Athens, Georgia and housed within the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. Georgia is the #1 State in Forestry, with 22 million acres of private timberland, more volume harvested than any other state, and the top exporter of wood products. The center was established in 1997 to provide national leadership in education, research, and service to forest industry and private landowners by:
- Educating and empowering future leaders through high-quality, industry-connected programs that integrate cutting-edge biological and quantitative forestry methods with sound business principles.
- Advancing knowledge and innovation through research that explores economically viable forest management strategies and alternatives to sustain competitiveness in the global marketplace.
- Delivering real-world impact by providing actionable insights and practical tools that help the forest industry, private landowners, and broader stakeholders make informed, timely decisions to achieve sustainable forestry production.
- Building strong industry partnerships that connect our community and align academic excellence with practical, real-world outcomes.
We are committed to setting a high standard of excellence that redefines what’s possible within a land-grant university mission.
Guiding Principles
- Regional Focus, Global Perspective: We focus our work on the southern United States while addressing issues within the broader context of national and global forest economies and operations.
- Excellence in Education: We deliver an outstanding forest business education focused on the economic, financial, and policy dimensions of forest resources, markets, and enterprises.
- Proactive Industry Leadership: We anticipate emerging challenges and develop innovative, market-based solutions to keep the forest business sector competitive and resilient.
- Service to Stakeholders: We serve those who own, manage, depend on, or benefit from managed forests, including landowners, industry professionals, policymakers, and communities.
- Sustainable Forestry Impact: We are committed to enhancing both the economic performance and environmental sustainability of forest-based resources and businesses.
- Student and Workforce Development: We prioritize experiential learning, mentorship, and career readiness to prepare students and professionals for leadership in the forest business sector.
- Transparent Communication: We actively share our research, insights, and accomplishments to keep stakeholders informed and engaged.
- Data-Driven Research: We ground our research in the best available data, ensuring rigor, relevance, and credibility in all our work.
- Research-Driven Collaboration: We foster strong, interdisciplinary partnerships within the UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, the Terry College of Business, and other strategic programs both nationally and internationally.
Warnell and UGA
The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources is the oldest forestry school in the south and was established in 1906 through an endowment by George Foster Peabody and was originally called the George Foster Peabody School of Forestry. Warnell’s forestry and natural resources program, regarded as one of the top five in the country, teaches students how to sustainably manage forest lands to meet society’s demands for forest products, clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation.
The University of Georgia has been ranked as a Top 20 U.S. Public University for the eighth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. UGA is committed to excellence, and student-centered teaching means graduates leave well-prepared for their academic and professional lives beyond campus.
