Increased adoption of innovative technology to advance forest monitoring and management for underserved forestry landowners abstract many underserved georgia landowners lack access to proper knowledge…

Increased adoption of innovative technology to advance forest monitoring and management for underserved forestry landowners abstract many underserved georgia landowners lack access to proper knowledge about sustainable land management practices. Underserved forest owners from racial and ethnic minorities have marked differences from other owners. The biggest differences are in terms of participation in technical assistance programs and forest-management practices. This has important implications for those interested in forest management and policy issues. Understanding the economic benefits of wellmanaged forests will allow underserved foresters and landowners to better generate income through sustainable timber harvesting, non-timber forest products, agroforestry, and the use of technology. Target audiences for this M-S project are small and medium (owning less than 10 acres) forestry landowners not generally served by current federal, state, and local programs. This project's long-term goal is to facilitate small, medium, and underserved forest landowners' understanding of precision forestry, ecosystem services, and social and economic benefits through use of innovative technology. The specific objectives of the proposed study are as follows; 1) identify small, medium, and underserved forestry LA ndowners in georgia and determine attitudes and perceptions in forestry activities using a mixed-method pilot survey. 2) provide two workshops annually for small, medium, and underserved forestry landowners to communicate the concepts and approaches of sustainable forest management using innovative technology under fort valley state university's cooperative extension program. 3) identify a forestry location at fort valley state university and develop a reforestation site with hardwood to serve as a demonstration and training site for small, medium, and underserved forestry landowners. 4) incorporate technology to monitor and aid the growth parameters and health conditions of pine trees. Drones and remote sensors will serve as inputs for precision forestry for open-source data collection. Computer technology (LMS, GIS) will serve as communication outputs. The goals and objectives of this project will enhance the sustainable management of forestland owned by underserved landowners in georgia.