Supporting Landowners In: Georgia and South Carolina

Educational Background: B.S. in Environmental Science from Georgia College & State University, with minors in Biology and Geology

From the river corridors of western North Carolina to the pine forests of Georgia, Molly Hooks has built a career deeply rooted in hands-on conservation, ecological curiosity, and a passion for supporting landowners. Now based in Athens, GA, Molly works primarily with landowners across Georgia, bringing both technical expertise and a genuine love for the natural world to every site visit.

After graduating, Molly began her professional career with the U.S. Forest Service, first as an intern in the Nantahala National Forest. There, she served as Assistant River Ranger on the Nantahala River, maintaining recreation areas, supporting outfitters and visitors, and even paddling the river for work. She later accepted a permanent role as a Forestry Technician in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, where she led a timber marking crew focused on improving habitat for the threatened Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW). Her work later expanded into silviculture, including longleaf pine restoration, assessing sapling survival, and supporting RCW habitat projects.

Molly also gained experience tracking Southern Pine Beetle activity, marking salvage sales, and participating in dozens of prescribed fire operations after receiving her federal red card. These diverse roles helped shape her understanding of forestry as a dynamic field—one that balances wildlife habitat, forest health, community needs, and long-term sustainability. She recalls a quote from a fellow forester that resonated deeply with her: “How do we treat this world not like a mine, but a garden?” That mindset encapsulates her approach to forestry today.

As an FFCP forester, Molly especially values the chance to work directly with landowners. “It’s really rewarding to connect with a landowner on site visits and see their face light up when I tell them the benefits of FFCP,” she says. Helping families access the financial support they need to improve their land and keep it in the family is one of the most meaningful parts of her work.

Outside of work, Molly loves spending time outdoors. You can often find her whitewater kayaking, foraging for mushrooms and plants, gardening, hiking local trails, or relaxing at home with her cat.

If you'd like to know more about how the Family Forest Carbon Program's foresters can help you reach your forest management goals, visit familyforestcarbon.org. If you are a forester, join us and become an FFCP consulting forester.