Tennessee Forestry Commission
The Tennessee Forestry Commission was established in 1985 and advises the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the governor on forest policy.
The Commission formulates and recommends programs of fire protection, reforestation and seedling production, forestry assistance to private landowners, educational and informational programs to enhance understanding of the value and management of the forest resource, management of state forests, urban tree management, development of markets for Tennessee forest products, protection from insect and disease epidemics, and protection of the soil and water quality.
The Commission is also charged with selecting three candidates for state forester, approving an annual budget prepared by the state forester, preparing an annual report, making recommendations to the legislature on forest policy, approving the forestry division long-range plan, and formulating and recommending any policies that further forest protection and management.
Each member is appointed by the governor and serves for a five-year term, with a limit of two terms. Full roles and responsibilities of the commission can be found in the Tenn. Code Ann. § 11-4-201.
Tom Midyett, Chair
Knoxville - Represents pulp and paper manufacturers
Term Expires: 6/30/2024 (2nd Term)
John Charles Wilson, Vice-Chair
Memphis - Represents conservation organizations
Term Expires: 6/30/2025 (2nd Term)
Dr. Sharon Jean-Philippe, Secretary
Knoxville - Represents public at large
Term Expires: 6/30/2024 (1st term)
Alex Richman
Lynchburg - Represents forest landowners of greater than 500 acres
Term Expires: 6/30/2024 (2nd Term)
Mike Witt
Cookeville - Represents forest landowners of less than 500 acres
Term Expires: 6/30/2024 (2nd Term)
William (Bill) Legg
Westpoint - Represents forest landowners of less than 500 acres
Term Expires: 6/30/2026 (1st Term)
Drew Getty
Huntland - Represents hardwood manufacturers
Term Expires: 6/30/2027 (1st Term)
Dr. Charles Hatcher, Ex-Officio
Commissioner – Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Bobby Wilson, Ex-Officio
Director – Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
David Salyers, Ex-Officio
Commissioner – Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Tennessee Code Annotated Section 8-44-103 requires public notice of meetings of all government bodies whose actions can affect public policy. The following notice is hereby given:
TENNESSEE FORESTRY COMMISSION TO MEET
The Tennessee Forestry Commission will meet Aug. 25, 2023 at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville, Tenn.
The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. CDT in the Moss Building conference room located at 440 Hogan Road. The meeting is open to the public to attend.
The agenda includes approval of the previous meeting’s minutes, approval of the Division of Forestry budget, an update on the landowner assistance strategic plan, and a summary of the workforce development partnership with Cul2vate.
A portion of the meeting will be reserved for public comment, which may be submitted either orally or in writing regarding business before the commission.