The mission of the South Carolina Forestry Commission is to protect, promote and enhance South Carolina’s forests for the benefit of all. Included in this multifaceted pursuit is protecting nearly 13 million acres of forestland from wildland fire and other threats, promoting active forest management on public and private lands, collecting and tailoring forest inventory data for the use of primary and secondary forest industries and raising awareness about forestry and its many economic, environmental and societal benefits. The Forestry Commission also maintains five state forests on the public’s behalf, operating them as working forests on which the multiple-use objectives and benefits of active forest management are demonstrated and derived.