Wednesday, May 7, 2003

How trees help environment

With Earth Day having recently passed, the Georgia Forestry Commission would like everyone to take a moment and think about how trees help to contribute to the quality of life on earth. Trees are such an important part of our environment, that life as we know it would cease to exist without them.

Trees contribute to environmental quality by:

Taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen for us to breathe.

Providing us with food, heat, and shelter.

Helping to remove pollutants from the air to give us cleaner air.

Filtering water to make our streams and lakes cleaner.

Reducing erosion by intercepting raindrops with their foliage to protect the soil.

Providing us with natural beauty and recreational benefits.

Absorbing sounds around us to control noise pollution.

Providing us with shade for cooling.

Furnishing habitat for wildlife.

Providing raw material for hundreds of wood products that we depend on every day.

About two-thirds of Georgia's land area is covered by trees. it is very important that we manage our forest property as the demand for wood and forest products increases and the total land available for forest production decreases. The Georgia Forestry Commission provides forest management information and assistance to the private landowners of Georgia. If you would like more information concerning the Forest Management Services available contact County Forestry Unit at 770-227-5522 or 770-358-1459, or visit www.gfc.state.ga.us.

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