Stacey DeLoach graduates from LE academy
Congratulations to Allendale/Hampton/Jasper Sector Fire Management Officer (FMO) Stacey DeLoach for graduating from the SC Criminal Justice Academy!
DeLoach graduated with Class 853 April 10 and was later sworn in at SCFC headquarters by Law Enforcement Chief Tommy Mills.
Before his role as FMO, DeLoach worked as a forestry technician in the Allendale/Hampton/Jasper Sector. Congratulations, Stacey!
Fire tigers
The SCFC, U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service partnered to bring on nine new Fire Tigers to the Clemson University fire crew May 4-8.
Upstate Firewise and Prevention Coordinator Helen Mohr says Saluda/Edgefield/McCormick Sector Wildland Firefighter Ken Smith was also included in the field training day so that he could be fireline qualified.
These students will be red carded once they pass their pack test and will then be ready to assist USFS on prescribed burns.
Patton presents at ACF meeting
Deputy State Forester Tom Patton presented to the Association of Consulting Foresters April 16 at the Harbison State Forest Environmental Education Center.
Markets Matter in Madison
State Forester Scott Phillips and Resource Development Section Chief Guy Sabin joined Clemson Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+DI), leaders from across industry, government, research, conservation and investment at the Markets Matter Convening in Madison, Wisconsin, May 19-21. Organized by the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, the conference aimed to address one of the most pressing challenges facing the forest sector: creating sustainable markets for low-value wood fiber, including small-diameter trees and industry residues.
From Clemson Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+DI):
“A particularly meaningful moment of the convening was seeing South Carolina highlighted as a national success story during the panel discussion “Success at the State Level – What We Can Learn from Where It Has Worked.” I had the privilege of sharing the stage in a dynamic conversation with Scott Phillips -SC State Forester- and Guy Sabin – Resource Development Section Chief at the South Carolina Forestry Commission- to discuss how coordinated partnerships across government, industry, academia, and landowners are helping position South Carolina as a leader in forest-based innovation and market transformation.
This conversation is about much more than biomass. It is about partnering for restoring market pathways that support healthy forests, rural economies, wildfire resilience, carbon-smart materials, renewable energy, and the next generation of forest-based innovation.
At WU+DI, we believe the future of forestry depends on connecting working forests to advanced manufacturing, circular bioeconomy systems, construction materials, packaging, chemicals, energy, and emerging technologies — while ensuring value flows back to landowners and communities.
Grateful to the organizers and partners bringing together this important national dialogue. The future of forest-based innovation will depend on coordinated action across sectors — and conversations like this are how that work begins. Grateful for our partnership with neighboring states, particularly Georgia.”
Forestry in Finland
From Clemson Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+DI):
“Day 1 in Finland
— and what a remarkable start to this journey.
We kicked off the visit at Aalto University in Espoo, where design, materials science, and forest-based innovation intersect in truly inspiring ways.
The morning sessions brought together leaders across disciplines and offered a deep dive into Design & CHEMarts and a comprehensive tour of their cellulose spinning facilities and discussion on products portfolio.
Engaging exchanges with Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), where we explored strategic alignment, roadmapping needs for South Carolina, and opportunities to collaborate in advancing the bioeconomy, as well as Wood Forward Network.
These conversations reinforced how critical it is to integrate design, science, and market strategy when building next-generation forest products ecosystems.
The afternoon took us to the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Bioruukki Pilot Plant—an impressive demonstration of how ideas move from lab to scale. Seeing pilot infrastructure in action is exactly the kind of capability we aim to connect with through the Wood Utilization + Design Institute.
This delegation didn’t come together by chance. It reflects a deliberate effort to bring South Carolina leaders across academia, industry, and government into one shared space to learn, align, and accelerate innovation in the forest sector.
Proud to be leading this effort—and even more excited for what’s ahead.”
Cub Scouts presentation
Forest Resource Analyst Scott Danskin spoke to the Lexington Cub Scout Pack 425 in mid-April. He taught them how trees grow (and how to be a part of a tree) using the Tree Factory module from Project Learning Tree. Great group of kids, and a good time!
Ag + Art
Thank you to all SCFC employees who participated in the Ag + Art tour this spring! The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour is a free, self-guided tour of farms and markets that feature local artisans at every stop.
Through multiple sites across several counties, the SCFC had opportunities to share our message with attendees.
Supporting SCDNR Envirothon 2026
The SCFC participated in the SCDNR 2026 South Carolina Envirothon, a hands-on environmental competition that challenges high school students in the areas of forestry, wildlife, soils, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues, held April 17 at the Clemson Sandhill Research and Education Center in Columbia.
Harbison State Forest Manager Trip Miller and Aiken/Barnwell/Bamberg Project Forester Sandy Bryan staffed the forestry station. Students were tested on tree identification, forest ecology, timber measurement and basic forest management concepts.
There were 138 students registered, including alternates, and 23 teams (+2 alternate teams) representing 15 schools from 10 counties. Spartanburg Day School Team 7 won the forestry station.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission is proud to support the Envirothon and its mission of developing the next generation of conservation leaders and environmental stewards.
Bambi bucket training
The South Carolina National Guard (left) and SLED joined the SCFC in Wedgefield for a Bambi bucket helicopter training. Pilots practiced by dipping water from Campbell Pond by the Manchester State Forest office April 22.
WOW South Carolina
From Clemson Extension Forestry & Natural Resources:
WOW—what a day!
The April 24 WOW- South Carolina workshop at Indian Springs Farm was packed with hands‑on learning, expert insights and a whole lot of passion for South Carolina’s forests. Participants explored sustainable forestry practices, longleaf pine management, wildlife habitat and more—all guided by trusted partners from The Longleaf Alliance, SC Forestry Commission and USDA‑NRCS.
The tour of the 2025 SC Tree Farmers of the Year was a standout moment, offering a real‑world look at stewardship in action.
Thanks to everyone who joined us and made this event such a success. The future of our forests is brighter because of you
Southern Group of State Foresters Annual Meeting
The SCFC was represented at the 2026 Southern Group of State Foresters annual meeting in Fort Myers, Florida June 2-5.
From a June 3 post from Southern Group of State Foresters:
“Research, innovation and market development don’t happen in silos. Yesterday afternoon’s panel discussion at the SGSF Annual Meeting explored the importance of coordination and collaboration with universities and research institutes in supporting Southern forest products markets.
Thank you to moderator Scott Phillips, SC State Forester and panelists Dr. M. Soledad Peresin (Clemson), Dr. J. Todd Petty (UGA), and Dr. Christopher O. Luettgen (GA Tech) for sharing their perspectives with attendees.”
Growing Our Future
Four SCFC employees presented at Clemson’s 2026 Growing Our Future Annual Forestry Meeting May 6. Thank you to Darryl, David, Scott and Russell who represented us well!
| Speaker | Topic |
| Fire Chief Darryl Jones | Changing Weather Patterns and Impacts on Prescribed Burning |
| Forest Health Coordinator David Jenkins | Forest Health Overview and Updates |
| Forest Resource Analyst Scott Danskin | SC Wood Product Markets |
| Forest Management Chief Russell Hubright | Hurricane Helene Block Grant |