A Year of Challenges
and Opportunities

 
It goes without saying that 2020 was a challenging year. We began with a set of plans and goals, but within a few months found ourselves reinventing established practices. We pivoted online, then, as time went on, cautiously stepped our toes back into the waters of face-to-face learning.
 
In the end, we got through it and became wiser in the process. Here, read through some of our accomplishments and accolades. Thanks to everyone who played a role in it, and we look forward to an even better 2021.
 

W. Dale Greene
Dean, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources

Teaching

When the Outdoors is your Classroom


Just before the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on travel and in-person classes, Warnell students were able to learn prescribed fire techniques at the Jones Center for Ecological Research in South Georgia. It's one of two opportunities students have to learn about wildfire management, and many use the classes as a springboard for summer job opportunities in the southeast and across the country.

>>READ MORE

 
 

TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 479
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
266
MASTER'S PROGRAMS
134
DOCTORAL PROGRAM
79
Since my time in Warnell, I have been able to lean more into my passion with bats and even explore other interests. Warnell has helped me obtain jobs and internships that have helped me gain more experience outside of the classroom. In summer 2019 I was a seasonal bat technician for DNR, where I got to travel all over the state conducting acoustic surveys (using a microphone and capturing bat calls).

Currently, I work with DNR as a mammal technician and get to help with cave and culvert surveys for bats while also helping with other small mammal projects, including eastern spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius).

I would not have been able to have these opportunities if it were not for Warnell's amazing professors and classes!
 
— Julia Yearout, senior wildlife sciences major
Ben Protzmann helps sort donated canned goods.SPOTLIGHT ON: STUDENT SERVICE

Last fall, our Student Ambassadors wanted to find a safe way to make a difference. The group decided to host a canned food drive, and the results were an overwhelming success. Ambassadors set up collection points in Warnell buildings and, despite remote learning and fewer trips to campus, managed to collect more than 350 cans as well as $700 in cash donations to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. All told, the donations provided more than 4,000 meals through several area food banks.
 
FACULTY MEMBERS

Spanning eight disciplines including emerging fields such as community forestry, soil and water sciences, and GIS
NEW NAMED PROFESSORSHIPS

The Stuckey Timberland Incorporated Professorship in Forest Economics and Taxation
NEW FACULTY MEMBERS

Including internationally renowned professors in human dimensions of wildlife, aquatic ecosystems and precision forestry
164+ GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS • $2.1 MILLION IN GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
*As of fall 2020

Research

Ecotourism offers a specific travel experience: It focuses on nature, education and sustainability. But a study by researchers at Warnell suggests ecotourism’s altruistic attractions may be overshadowed by another benefit: photos for social media.

READ MORE
Trees, one of Georgia’s most plentiful assets might be a key to help the state combat global climate change. Each has the ability to offset carbon that’s emitted into the atmosphere, and Warnell now is part of a consortium looking at ways the state can combat climate change by using the resources it already has.

READ MORE
What makes a good day of fishing? Many factors that add up to a successful trip can be controlled by fisheries managers, and a Warnell study offers insight into how these factors can attract a broader range of anglers. The study analyzes fishing preferences of white and nonwhite anglers and can help guide managers looking to improve a fishing area.

READ MORE
More than 20% of homes in the United States are connected to a septic system. Heavy rains and shelter-in-place orders create a lot for the systems to process. Literally. So, assistant professor Rebecca Abney is conducting a study to understand how this increased use changes the chemistry of the surrounding soil and water leaching from the system.
READ ABOUT MORE WARNELL RESEARCH
$11.8 MILLION IN EXTERNAL RESEARCH FUNDING FOR 2020

Service

Number of email opens for issues of Natural Resource Notes, a new quarterly newsletter from Warnell's Outreach team sent to Georgia Extension agents.
Number of partners with Warnell on the Crayfish Creek project in Gwinnett County to restore a critical tributary of the Chattahoochee River.
Number of years Warnell is serving as a partner on a federal-state project to combat feral swine in southwest Georgia.

Woman Landowners Workshops

Warnell and its partners launched the Woman’s Landowner Workshops, a new educational series introducing the basics of managing forestland to a new generation. Over the next two years, these workshops will encourage more women to get involved in forestry and understand its benefits.

READ MORE

Investigating an Invasive Fish


While surveying a stream as part of a student project, Warnell scientists discovered 15 weather loaches. A follow-up survey discovered another 11. DNR will be working with Warnell to assess additional places along the creek to determine the extent of the issue.

READ MORE

Thank You for Your Support!

$1,054,348 IN TOTAL GIVING FOR FY20
The Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business Benefit Golf Tournament presented by Weyerhaeuser raised $66,510 to support graduate assistantships and travel. The event took place at The Georgia Club.
Warnell’s Young Alumni Committee dedicated an office suite at Warnell in memory of venerable alumnus and advisor, Reid Parker. The suite is located approximately where his office once existed in Building 2.
Our Young Alumni Committee raised $55,500 through the annual Parker Memorial Golf Tournament, which took place last fall at the UGA Golf Course as part of Warnell's annual Homecoming festivities.
5,455 TOTAL ALUMNI

Our Donors

$25,000+

Ms. Maureen E. Cartoon

Dr. Shu-Hsien Chen and Dr. Chia-Ming Chen

Farmland Reserve, Inc.

Mr. Steve C. Keadle and Mrs. Sandra Keadle

John and Kay Parker

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

 

$10,000-$24,999

Mr. Robert F. Burgin III

Burgin Timberland Management, LLC

Frank & Evelyn Schmidt Family Foundation

Georgia Forestry Association, Inc.

Mrs. Carol Schirmer Haeussler

Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy

Dr. and Mrs. Arnett C. Mace Jr.

Mr. Robert W. Pollard Jr.

Pollard Lumber Co., Inc.

Superior Pine Products Company

The Frank W. Norris Foundation

Mr. Andres C. Villegas and Ms. Leigh Villegas



$5,000-$9,999

Mr. Robert A. Bartlett Jr. and Mrs. Cathleen M. Bartlett

Mr. Barry L. Beers and Mrs. Naomi N. Beers

First American Title Insurance Company

Georgia-Pacific LLC

Mr. Leonard D. Hogan Sr.

Interfor

Jones Lang LaSalle

Mr. Marion C. Lincoln and Ms. Erin A. Lincoln

Dr. Virginia Morales Olmos

Mr. Henry H. Page Jr. and Mrs. Susan Wood Page

Rayonier

Resource Management Service, LLC

William B. and Elisabeth E. Southern

Dr. Alfred Viola* and Mrs. Joy Viola

WestRock Company

Weyerhaeuser Company

Mr. James E. Wise and Mrs. Gladys Wise

$1,500-$4,999

ACRT, Inc.

AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA

Mr. James I. Alfriend and Ms. Ellen Alfriend

Mr. James P. Alfriend and Ms. Sarah E. Alfriend

American Forest Management, Inc.

Arborgen, Inc.

Asplundh Tree Expert LLC

B & S Air, Inc.

Mr. Earl D. Barrs and Mrs. Wanda Taylor Barrs

Mr. Peter S. Bischoff

Dr. Bronson Bullock

CatchMark Timber Trust

Conservation Forestry LLC

Mr. Smith Dolliver Jr. and Mrs. Sharon Dolliver

F & W Forestry Services, Inc.

Farm Credit Associations of Georgia

Mr. Richard O. Fitzgerald

Dr. Mark Ford and Ms. Jane Rodrigue

Forest Investment Associates L.P.

Forest Resource Consultants, Inc.

Forisk Consulting, LLC

Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited

Georgia Division Society of American Foresters

Georgia Ornithological Society

Georgia Power Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Robert Glasscock and Mrs. Brenda Glasscock

Graphic Packaging International, LLC

Green Diamond Management Company

Dean Dale Greene and Dr. Jeanna Wilson

Mr. William C. Henning Jr. and Mrs. Jan L. Henning

Mr. Fredrick W. Kinard Jr.

Koch Industries Inc.

Mr. Jason E. Little and Mrs. Susan L. Little

Dr. Brooks C. Mendell and Dr. Elizabeth E. Mendell

Dr. J. Michael Meyers and Mrs. June R. Meyers

National Christian Foundation

Mrs. Dawn Newsome and Mr. Mike Newsome

North Georgia Timber, LLC

Mr. Druid N. Preston Sr. and Mrs. Carol Preston

Mr. Richard V. Saunders Sr. and Mrs. Kay Wike Saunders

Mr. Charles M. Stripling III and Mrs Patricia Hackney Stripling

Mrs. Shelba Morris Taylor

Mr. Scot W. Teverino and Mrs. Elizabeth J. Teverino

The Molpus Company

The Thomas T. & Bernice F. Irvin Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Marshall D. Thomas and Mrs. Mariruth Thomas

Ms. Kathy Trembath and Mr. Thomas N. Trembath

US Land and Farms LLC

Fred and Kay Warnell

Student Donors

The following students invested in Warnell through a Senior Signature or a direct gift in 2020. Established in 1991, the Senior Signature plaque honors graduating students who make a difference by donating at least $50 to the University.

 

Spring 2020

Alexandria Hiott

Matthew Hill

Wesley Hobbs

Destin Kee

Edward K. Martin III

Peyton Niebanck

Donald Peroyea

Bradley Pruitt

 

Fall 2020

Caleb Bixler

Michael Buhler

Brandon Dickey

Calvin Ellis

Keri Greeson

Ashlyn Halseth

Ben Protzman

Embyrlee Sago

Robert Seibold





                                                                                                                                                          *Deceased

Heritage Society

The Heritage Society honors alumni and friends who make a documented bequest in a will or other planned gift to UGA. These gifts have a substantial effect on the University and Warnell for years to come, and help secure our future.

 

Earl D. Barrs and Wanda Taylor Barrs

John T. Brumby Jr.* 

Carolyn Warnell Bryan*

Jim and Lyra Cobb

LCDR Demetrius Cox

Smith and Sharon Nix Dolliver

Emile Jacob Fried*

James L. Gillis Jr.*

Thomas B. Hankinson*

Mr. Thomas C. Harden and Mrs. Bridget B. Harden

Jimmie T. Hardy*

Nellie S. Herringdine*

Frances O. Hopkins*

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee Izlar

James G. Boswell Foundation Trust

Rex N. Johnson

Larry and Beverly Lackey

Harley Langdale Jr.*

Jon and Jo Ann Liles

Dr. J. Michael and Mrs. June R. Meyers

Professor Archie E. Patterson*

Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Porterfield

Richard and Rhonda Ramey

William T. Ray*

W. Mark Ford and Jane L. Rodrigue

Andrew and Emily Saunders

Joe M. Stanford and Anna Grace Stanford*

David A. and Janet K. Terrell

Geoffrey David Terrell

Alfred* and Joy Viola 

Anna Dorothy Warnell*

Joseph Eugene Wyatt*

Anonymous

We’re thankful for the incredible support we receive from our alumni and friends, and nowhere is that support more evident than our committees. These all-volunteer boards represent the highest level of commitment to Warnell.

ALUMNI STEERING COMMITTEE

This 13-member committee supports events, programs and fundraising initiatives for Warnell. Members serve three-year terms and assist with planning events, advise on staying engaged with other alumni, and make nominations for UGA’s Bulldog 100, 40 Under 40 and other awards.

 

Members

Jim Anderson (BSFR ’91)

Gary Capes (BSFR ’80)

Ken Eason (BSA ’04, MFR ’97)

Tommy Haynes (BSFR ’80)

David Henderson (BSFR ’95, MS ’98)

Amanda Lang (BSFR ’05, MS ’08)

Lynn Lewis (BSFR ’95, MS ’99)

Chad Lincoln (BSFR ’03, MS ’05)

Matt Owens (MFR ’06)

Brian Simmons (BSFR ’93)

Sharon Swagger (BSFR ’04, MS ’06)

Lauren Ward (JD ’07, MNR ’12, PhD ’17)

Fred Warnell (BSFR ’71)

YOUNG ALUMNI COMMITTEE

This group comprises 10 alumni who all graduated in the past 10 years. Members serve three-year terms to support school activities and encourage alumni participation, including the annual Parker Memorial Golf Tournament each fall and the Sporting Clays Tournament each spring.

 

Members

Jase Brooks (MFR ’15)

Whitney Della Torre (AB ’10, MS ’13)

Shawn DeRome (BSFR ’14, MFR ’16)

Charles “Swanny” Evans (BSFR ’12, MS ’15)

Krisha Whiting (MNR ’17)

Gordon Grizzle (BSFR ’13)

Harry Sanders (BSFR ’12)

Blake Sherry (BSFR ’17)

Jackie Sherry (BSFR ’12, MNR ’14)

Cade Warner (MFR ’14)

 

DEAN’S ADVISORY BOARD

Launched in 2017 by Dean Dale Greene, this group works alongside our two alumni committees with a specific focus on strategic planning and networking across disciplines to support private giving to the school.

 

Members

Steve Brown (Weyerhaeuser)

Whitney Della Torre (Balch & Bingham LLP)

Dan Forster (Archery Trade Association)

Steve Johnston (Bartlett Tree Experts)

Becky Kelley (Georgia State Parks)

Tim Lownmore (Georgia Forestry Commission)

Wade Nutter (Nutter & Associates)

Patrick O’Rouke (Georgia Power)

Tommy Sasser (Recreational Community Consultants)

Mark Williams (Georgia Department of Natural Resources)

Fred Warnell (Consulting Forester)

UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources