Urban Sprawl and Forest Fragmentation: Studies indicate that every day in Georgia, tree canopy declines by 273 acres and that approximately 106 acres are lost to impervious surfaces, resulting in loss of forest lands and forest fragmentation. Within 25 years, Georgia's population is expected to increase from 9 million to 12 million people.

Ownership and Management Objective Change: Of the 24.2 million acres of timber land in Georgia, approximately 22.3 million or 92% are privately owned. Ownership patterns and management objectives have been changing and average parcel sizes are shrinnking, making management of smaller tracts more difficult.

Taxes: Forest land valuations for tax purposes are inconsistent across Georgia and "highest and best use" land valuation threatens forest sustainability, despite enactment of Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) and the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA).

Forest Economics of Traditional and Emerging Markets: The local economies of fifty-five Georgia counties are dependent on forestry activities. The number of traditional paper or sawmills has declined. Forest growth however, well exceeds removals and is available to supply local and global traditional markets as well as emerging markets such as bioenergy and reduce our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels.

Water Quality and Quantity: With two out of every three falling raindrops in Georgia landing on forest lands, the sustainable management of our forests is the most cost effective measure in protecting our water resources for public and wildlife consumption and fisheries management.

Air Quality: Carbon sequestration is an emerging ecological market opportunity that will soon provide additional incentives for landowners to keep their property forest and our air clean.

Biodiversity: Forest lands protect threatened and endangered species and provide biodiversity habitat for fish and wildlife and opportunities for recreation.

Fire Management and Suppression: Urban sprawl places more lives and property at risk from wildfire and greatly complicates the management of wildfires and prescribed fires. The health and sustainability of Georgia's forests are dependent on fire management and suppression.

Insect and Disease and Non-Native Invasives: The forestlands of Georgia have long been at risk from outbreaks of native pests, such as the southern pine beetle. In resent years, a myriad of new pests, including non-native insects, diseases, and invasive plants, have appeared in rural and urban landscapes in Georgia.

Forest Land Conservation: As a result of urban sprawl and land fragmentation, a system of public and private conservation strategies is needed to support forest, wildlife, and recreation sustainability.