Dixon Memorial State Forest
Forest Supervisor
912.287.6612
The Dixon Memorial Forest is a bio-diverse forest including approximately 15,000 acres of the Okeefenokee Swamp and 16,500 acres of pine timberland. The stewardship management plan has the forest divided into 41 compartments containing 7 stands averaging 390 acres each within each compartment. The pine stands are managed on a 40 year rotation with annual stand harvest averaging 50 to 70 acres.
The forest is managed as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (DNR-WRD) and is the fourth largest WMA in the state. Approximately 170 acres of food plots, 55 acres of natural openings, 250 Wood Duck boxes, and 45 acres in MARSH waterfowl impoundment are maintained for wildlife. The WMA is open to the public from August 15 through May 15 for game hunts. Game species include white-tailed deer, black bear, dove, turkey, and small game.
The GFC, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and DNR-WRD have conosidered longer rotation management strategies on Cowhouse Island to potentially increase foraging habitat and provide relocation sites for the endangered red cockaded woodpecker colonies on USFWS land adjacent to the island. The GFC and DNR-WRD have cooperated to construct a new gun range located on Crews Boulevard off Hwy 177 neat the Swamp Park entrance.
The forest is the location for several university and coop forestry research projects including:
- Acid rain/fertilization
- Palmetto production
- J-root planting
- Genetic crosses of pine species
- Thinning management
- Pine oleoresin production
The Herty Building at Dixon Memorial Forest can be reserved for natural resource educational programs or other events. Please contact the Forest Supervisor for availability and reservations.
Other recreational opportunities at the forest include a 250 acre 18 hole golf course. Nearby Laura Walker State Park has camping and boating facilities.
