New research by Pete Bettinger and collaborators Bruno da Silva, Jacek Siry, Stephen Kinane, and Krista Merry explores how forest landscapes have evolved since settlement and the answer is clear: forests are shaped as much by economics as by ecology. The findings reinforce the argument that when landowners have opportunities to generate income from their forests they have a stronger incentive to keep forests as forests. Early forest use focused on short-term timber extraction and land changes for agricultural expansion. Over time, rising timber demand, increasing prices, and concerns about timber scarcity led to a shift toward long-term forest management and investment-oriented forestry.
06.22.2026
CFB Students Attend the 2026 National Association of Women in Timber Conference
Three CFB students, Emma Dunn, Darcy Tripod, and Catherine Watry, recently attended the 2026 National Association of Women in Timber (NAWT) Conference in Georgetown, South Carolina. The event brought together professionals from across the forestry sector, including timberland managers, consultants, loggers, and students, for two days of learning, networking, and field-based experiences. Reflecting on the experience, Catherine noted, “All conferences are unique in what they offer, but this one has been especially meaningful. It is enlightening to see how over 100 women have built and advanced their careers in the forest industry.”
06.16.2026
How Declining Pulpwood Markets Influence Timberland Investment Returns
A recent study in the Journal of Forestry led by Bruno da Silva and supported by graduate students and faculty at the Center for Forest Business explores an important question for the forestry sector: what happens to pine plantation investment returns when pulp mills close and pulpwood prices fall? The research focused on regions in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina and found that lower pulpwood prices can substantially reduce expected returns to landowners.
05.29.2026
Alumni Spotlight: Jake Parker MFR ’19
Jake Parker works with Tamarack Software, a company that develops technology solutions for the forestry and forest products industry. In his role in software sales and business development, he works with lumber producers and forestry operations to improve data management, forecasting, and operational efficiency. The position requires regular collaboration with professionals across the supply chain, including procurement foresters, mill operators, lumber sales teams, and logistics managers. Although technology-focused roles are not always the most traditional path for forestry graduates, Parker says the MFR in Forest Business program helped prepare him to work at the intersection of forestry, business, and technology.
04.29.2026
Student Spotlight: Henry Cozart
Meet Henry Cozart, an MFR in Forest Business graduate student at the Langdale Center for Forest Business. With a strong undergraduate foundation in forestry and business, Henry is focused on sharpening his technical expertise in graduate school and building meaningful relationships with the UGA alumni network and industry partners. Henry’s plan is to pursue a career at timberland investment management organization, where he hopes help address key challenges facing the industry. This summer, Henry will take a major step toward that goal as an investment intern with Domain Timber Advisors.
04.23.2026
Latest Research Confirms that Wood Pellet Feedstock Harvesting Adheres to Best Management Practices
A common question in our timber industry is whether the rising demand for wood pellets impacts our soils and water quality differently than traditional pulpwood harvesting. A recent study in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (Bays et al., 2026) led by the Center for Forest Business evaluated BMP effectiveness for pellet harvests at 75 sites across the SE Coastal Plain. The study confirmed that our current forestry BMPs are sufficient to protect our natural resources and that the southeastern US wood pellet industry is operating sustainably within established environmental frameworks.
04.17.2026
UGA Students Participate in Forest Resources Association Fly-In
Graduate students Branch Burns and Jack Miscall from the Center for Forest Business recently represented the University of Georgia at the Forest Resources Association (FRA) Fly-In in Washington, D.C.. This experience provided direct exposure to federal decision-making, where students engaged in policy briefings and met with congressional representatives to discuss the critical legislative priorities of the forest products sector. The experience reinforced that successful industry leadership requires not just technical expertise, but the ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and directly to decision-makers.
04.09.2026
Dr. Chad Bolding named Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Chad Bolding, the Langdale Endowed Chair in Forest Business at the Langdale Center for Forest Business, has been named the Associate Dean for Research for the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. Bolding brings extensive experience in forest operations, supply chain management, and sustainability research. In his new role, he will help expand Warnell’s research enterprise, strengthen partnerships, and support faculty, staff, and students in advancing impactful scholarship.
03.10.2026
Nicki Price has built an impressive career at the intersection of forestry, finance, and long-term land stewardship. After earning her undergraduate degree in Wildlife, she completed her MFR in Forest Business at UGA, where she discovered a passion for timberland investment and the broader strategic side of forest ownership. Although she once envisioned a boots-on-the-ground procurement career, the MFR program and business coursework shifted her path. Nicki credits her time at Warnell and the Terry College of Business with helping her bridge forestry and finance in a way that translated directly to real-world decision-making. Today, Nicki serves as the U.S. Country Portfolio Manager for Ingka Investments, managing timberland assets and supporting a sustainability-focused approach to forest ownership.
03.02.2026
Students Attend FLA Forest Policy Institute in Washington DC
This February, forestry students Emma Dunn and Liam Reid represented UGA at the Forest Landowners Association’s Forest Policy Fly-In in Washington, D.C. The experience provided an inside look at how federal forest policy is shaped and how its outcomes influence private landowners, investors, and the broader forestry sector. The students met with members of Congress, including Representative Buddy Carter, Senator Jon Ossoff, and Representative Bruce Westerman, along with congressional and federal agency staff to discuss forestry’s role in rural economies, supply chain resilience, and long‑term land stewardship.
