The SFSRA Newsletter
"The SFSRA Newsletter" is published two to three times per year and is included with the purchase of the annual dues. Articles, information and obituaries can be sent to the editor Thurman Harp, 109 Dahlia Drive
Griffin, GA 30223-5796.
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Get Involved
We want to keep in touch with our old friends and coworkers. We have two luncheons every year around the first of June and first of December in Atlanta. Local groups all over the region get together more frequently. The SFSRA Newsletter, Facebook Page and the e-mail notices also keep our members informed.
About us
This organization is a non-profit (501c4), based in Atlanta, Georgia, to serve present, former and anticipated Forest Service retirees of the Southern United States. Members are former professional, technical and administrative employees of the USDA Forest Service and have at one time worked in or now live in the 13 Southern States or Puerto Rico. Area chapters or other special interest, or more intimate groups, have been organized throughout the Region.
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Upcoming projects- Stay tuned
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Membership Drive
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Electronic membership application and renewal with Pay Pal payments online
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Newsletter name change
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Oral History project
Membership Application
Annual dues are $15, but new first time members get the first year free. To be included in the yearly (published in March) membership directory, your application must be received by February 5th of that year. Make check out to SFSRA and mail application to:
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Paul Arndt
4899 Raven Court
Marietta, GA 30066-1532

Marisue Hilliard is our representative to the NAFSR
Read the National Association of Forest Service Retirees newsletter "LOOKOUT"

History of the Forest Service Badge- a short video
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https://rockymountaineers.us/media/videos/FS-Badge/TheForestServiceBadge.mp4
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Dave Jolly receives prestigious Gary G. Brown Founders Award

A Memorial Fund category has been established. If you would like to donate to the Southern Forest Service Retirees Association in memory or in honor of someone, you can now do so. Funds will be used to cover costs of memorials or however you wish to designate. Because our organization is a 501(c)4 "Social Organization", donations can not be tax deductible.
Send note and check to:
Paul Arndt
4899 Raven Court
Marietta, GA 30066-1532
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There are a lot of good books about Forest Service history that would make for great reading and gifts. See links below:
Just Released:
Stories of a Forest Ranger- Tales of Life in the U.S. Forest Service
$14.95
by Pete Griffin
https://forestservicemuseum.org/product/stories-of-a-forest-ranger/
History and Culture of the Southern Region-
The Forest History Society has several historical documents and literature about the Forest and Range lands of the southern region. Check these out
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NOTICE
Due to hacks, scams, phishing, illegal violations and crimes, we have taken all email links off this site. If you need to get in contact with us, click on the Contact Us link and someone will get back to you. We are sorry for this inconvenience, but we want to protect the privacy and security of our officers and board members. The "hard copy" Annual Membership Directory was sent to all paid members and it will provide contact information as well.
OVERVIEW OF THE REUNION AT THE CRADLE
Respectfully Submitted by a tired Reunion attendee—Jeannette Hartog, President 2018, OldTimers (Reprinted with permission)
The Southern FS Retirees Association in conjunction with the USDA-FS Southern Region and USDA-FS Southern Research Station welcomed FS Retirees from all parts of our nation. The purpose of the reunion was not only for visiting, reconnecting and enjoying each other, but also to rediscover (or discover for some) the Birthplace of Forestry in the US.
There were stories and history of the Pinchot family shared by Bibi Gaston, the great-grandniece of Gifford Pinchot. She shared untold stories of brave souls who launched the American Conservation Movement. We also heard from Chase Pickering, a great-great-grandson of George Vanderbilt. As a fifth generation family owner of Biltmore, he shared his family’s mission to preserve Biltmore as a conservation effort. These two speakers set the stage for the week as we explored The Cradle of Forestry in America, the Birthplace of science-based forest management.
We were offered two field trips: One to the Cradle of Forestry which included a visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and to the Cradle located on the Pisgah NF. We learned about Carl Schenck and saw his first American forestry school in Pisgah. This unique tour showcased the culture and music of the Southern Appalachian Mountain. We were served a luncheon of local taste treats followed by a local musician and story teller. Great stories, all in attendance won’t soon forget!
The second field trip was Biltmore Behind the Gate Tour which took folks behind locked gates to explore conservation history connections with Gifford Pinchot and Carl Schenck who established the first American forestry school on the Biltmore property. This tour also included the Mansion, gardens, and highlighted a limited engagement of Chihuly Glasswork
We enjoyed a presentation by Lisa Tate, Executive Director of the National Museum of FS History. She shared recent happenings with the Museum which will include a premier virtual exhibit which is now available to view at www.forestservicemuseum.org
The Reunion was also a fundraiser for the museum with new memberships. All proceeds, after expenses, from the Silent Auction and other monies left over after expenses will be donated to the museum.
A highlight of the week was the banquet on Thursday evening that feature the Bailey Mountain Cloggers from Mars Hills College in the Mountains near Asheville. They even taught some brave folks to Clog—our group has talent!!
Friday morning saw a tired, but happy group sad to say “Goodbye” to those they had reconnected with during the week. The Southern FS Retirees Association closed out the Reunion by passing the baton and a $5,000 check to the 2021 Reunion Hostess, Nancy Gibson, of the Pacific Southwest Retirees. The 2021 Lake Tahoe Gathering will be held September 13-17, 2021, at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, NV.
This was my first National Reunion, and it was great. My “congrats” to the Southern Retirees for their hospitality and an overall memorable experience!!