Authored by Emma Dunn, MFR ’27
As the forestry industry continues to modernize, one tool has become central to how professionals manage land today: Geospatial Information Systems (GIS). Originally introduced in the 1960s as a simple mapping tool, early GIS use supported basic land inventory and resource tracking. By the early 2000s, GIS evolved into a powerful digital spatial analysis platform, enabling foresters to make stronger, data-driven decisions. Today, tools such as ArcGIS, LiDAR, drones, and remote sensing allow professionals to continuously monitor forest health, analyze long-term changes, and create management plans with unprecedented precision.
GIS serves a wide range of functions across forestry sectors. It is essential for timber supply planning, stand management, harvest scheduling, road layout optimization, BMP stewardship, and so much more. Beyond operations, GIS supports wildfire risk assessment, erosion control, species-specific habitat conservation, and carbon modeling, all while aiding forest health monitoring through satellite and drone imagery. The technology’s integration with real-time data and mobile platforms has allowed for forestry to shift toward precise land management. This diverse use of spatial analysis has made GIS indispensable for sustainability, forest policy, and operational efficiency.
The University of Georgia, particularly the Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, has emerged as a leader in GIS education for both students and professionals. Student coursework integrates ArcGIS Pro, spatial data processing, and ModelBuilder workflows, providing hands-on experience with modern geospatial technology.
The Southern Forestry GIS (SOFOR) Conference, hosted every two years by Dr. Pete Bettinger, will host its 15th meeting in in Athens, Georgia in a few weeks. The conference brings together researchers, GIS specialists, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore advanced applications such as machine learning for inventory modeling, remote sensing for storm damage assessment, and climate-based forest design. It continues to serve as a platform for collaboration across public and private sectors by demonstrating how spatial technology drives innovation in modern forestry throughout the southeastern United States. The 2025 SOFOR GIS Conference is December 8th and 9th and registration is still open for those interested in participating. (https://soforgis.uga.edu/home)
As forestry continues to evolve, GIS remains a driving force in improving accuracy, efficiency, and sustainability across the industry. With ongoing innovation and hands-on education, the future of forestry will rely more than ever on spatial technology to make informed and meaningful land management decisions.
