The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is a state government agency established in 1924 to protect and sustain Alabama’s forest resources. The commission is responsible for managing approximately 23 million acres of forestland across the state, which represents about 69% of Alabama’s total land area. The AFC’s primary responsibilities include forest protection, forest management assistance, forest inventory analysis, and wildfire prevention and suppression. The agency maintains a statewide network of firefighting resources and personnel to respond to woodland fires and other forestry-related emergencies. They also provide technical assistance to private landowners, who own the majority of Alabama’s forestland. The commission operates various programs including urban forestry initiatives, forest health monitoring, and educational outreach to promote sustainable forest management practices. They work closely with federal agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, and other state departments to coordinate forest conservation efforts. The AFC is governed by a seven-member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. The agency employs foresters, rangers, and support staff throughout its county offices and maintains regional offices across the state. Their work is crucial to Alabama’s forest industry, which is one of the state’s largest economic sectors.