Forest Protection

The Division rises to meet constant challenges to forest health. The difficulty of managing forest pests has been complicated by the ever-increasing number of native and non-native pests encroaching on Tennessee's forests. Coordination with other agencies and interest groups is a critical part of our response.

The Division Unit works to minimize damage caused by wildfire to forest resources and personal property while giving priority to firefighter and public safety. The Division of Forestry prevents and suppresses wildfires, promotes hazard reduction activities, and supports wildland fire training for volunteer fire departments and other wildland firefighters.

The Division helps improve the quality of surface and sub-surface water using forest cover as a filter and buffer for industrial, urban and agricultural point and non-point pollution resources. Water is a valuable product of the forest for which benefits are difficult to measure but which changes in quality and quantity are easily observed. Forests act as buffers and filters that can reduce the damage caused by practices from other land uses such as urban runoff and protect stream banks from erosion caused by flooding.