Georgia Forestry Commission Names Gabe Outlaw as 2022 Forester of the Year

The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) has named Danville resident Gabe Outlaw its 2022 Forester of the Year. The honor is given annually to a GFC forester who exemplifies the agency’s mission to provide leadership, service, and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia’s forest resources.

“It gives us great pleasure to recognize Gabe with this important award,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Tim Lowrimore. “Gabe is a valued employee who serves forest landowners, agency partners, educators, and young people throughout the central Georgia region. We’re very proud to have him on our team.”

Outlaw is a Management Forester in central Georgia serving Bleckley, Pulaski, and Laurens Counties. He holds a forestry degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and joined the GFC team in 2017.

Outlaw was selected as Forester of the Year for his consistent output of casework, including 302 landowner assists, which impacted more than 16,000 acres of forestland. His versatility and drive have been utilized across multiple parts of GFC, including assisting with 13 wildfires and 26 prescribed burns this past year. He aided forest health personnel with southern pine beetle flights and trapping. He also serves numerous organizations with his forestry expertise, including FFA Forestry Field Days, UGA Extension Master Naturalist Program, the Soil & Water Conservation Service, and school career days. Outlaw is dedicated to his own education and professional growth, completing several important wildfire and equipment training classes.

When he’s not providing forest services to Georgians, Outlaw may be found hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife and their nine-month-old son, Weston.

“I’m very humbled and appreciative to be honored with this award,” Outlaw said. “I really enjoy what I do and everyone I work with.”

Georgia Forestry Commission