Honored, blessed and humbled cannot begin to describe how I feel about the opportunity I have been granted as Miss Georgia Forestry 2016. However, in the past two months, it has become evident to me that such an alarming number of U.S. citizens cannot provide an insight on what the forestry industry does for our economy and why the industry as a whole plays such an imperative role in higher education, jobs and infrastructure in the United States.

As a Georgia voter and an advocate for forestry, knowledge on a top producing industry in our country is critical as we exercise our rights this November. I reach out to you for two reasons: to implement enthusiasm for creating and maintaining jobs in a top producing industry and to encourage girls and young women to get involved in the U.S. National Forestry Pageant program to demonstrate how we are the future in sustaining forestry’s successes while gaining scholarships for higher education.

Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t have to cut down or plant trees to become Miss Georgia Forestry. (But hey, it sure is fun if you ever get the chance!) I show a true love and passion for the environment and educating others on renewable resources and sustainability. That is why I am your spokesperson, and I couldn’t be more elated. Moreover, because of the Forestry Pageant, I am able to further my education as an attorney with the scholarships granted.

“The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) is a dynamic state agency responsible for providing leadership, service and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia's forest resources.”

I first became concerned about what others understood about the forestry industry when I was asked how I could support something that “destroys our resources.” I can’t stress enough how important it is to understand that trees are a renewable resource, meaning we may harvest and replant continuously so long as we do our part to keep the Earth healthy by implementing programs such as Project Learning Tree in schools and illustrating the values of conservation set forth by President Theodore Roosevelt. Furthermore, this is why forestry maintains jobs that cannot be outsourced. Astoundingly, just in Georgia, the forest industry provides an average of $448 million in state tax revenues each year. According to the GFC, “an estimated 47 Georgia counties are ranked as critically dependent, very dependent or moderately dependent on the forest products industry in terms of employment.” That’s just in one state!

The National Forestry Pageant does not only provide scholarship opportunities to young women. During a time in which women are overcoming major barriers and obstacles in the professional world, the Forestry Pageant provides an opportunity to interview for a prestigious job and build a killer resume to be competitive in the job market after graduation. As your Miss Georgia Forestry 2016, and your National Forestry Queen hopeful for 2016, I ask that you take charge in environmental awareness, vote for those who advocate an industry that aids us in sustaining a great economy and get involved with your local office to learn how you can teach others the same. It starts with us, and I’m doing my part in hopes those I reach will do the same.