With a brilliant canopy of blue sky covering 944 acres of timberland, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College dedicated ABAC’s John W. and Margaret Jones Langdale Forest at Willis Still on Tuesday.

"Students of the past, present, and future need to understand the sacrifice, investment, and gift of money, mind, and effort that has already been invested in the John W. and Margaret Jones Langdale Forest at Willis Still,” ABAC President David Bridges said as he stood under a giant sand post oak tree on the property.

“This investment has been made in order to provide the best opportunity for hands-on, real-life experiences in the conservation and managed productivity of Georgia’s precious natural resources. The assets developed on this site will provide a comprehensive living classroom for students for years to come.”

With a barrel of resin and other turpentine-harvesting equipment in front of his microphone, Bridges pointed out the long history of the Langdale family with ABAC and the forest industry.

“The Langdale family is intricately woven into the fabric of ABAC,” Bridges said. “ABAC has had no greater friends or loyal supporters than the Langdale family. No president has ever enjoyed a closer and more supportive relationship than I have had with Johnny, Wesley, and Jim Langdale.

“ABAC’s ongoing relationship with the Langdale Company, the Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation, and members of the Langdale family is deep and wide. Therefore, it is only appropriate that we formally dedicate this important educational resource in the memory of John W. and Margaret Jones Langdale.”

It was Bridges who announced at the finale of the 61st Annual Southern Forestry Conclave on March 24, 2018, that the ABAC Foundation had purchased the timber land just off Willis Still Road in Tift County for the forest.