A warehouse of forest products. Photo credit: Joel Prince courtesy National Association of State Foresters.
The following guest blog is part of a series featuring the Forest Service’s work with partners on restoration across the country.
By Scott Bissette, Assistant Commissioner of the North Carolina Forest Service and chair of the National Association of State Foresters Forest Markets Committee
Our forests are renewable and vital resources when sustainably managed. From paper products such as food packaging and tissue paper, to lumber used for our homes and furniture, trees in our forests provide items we use every day.
Strong markets for these forest products are needed to restore many of our forests and ensure they continue to be managed and are healthy for future generations. That’s why all Americans should support National Forest Products Week from October 18-24, 2015.
The forest products industry contributes billions of dollars to the United States economy annually. Industrial shipments of the wood and paper manufacturing industry amounted to $240 billion in 2012 alone! According to the American Forest and Paper Association the forestry and forest products industries in the United States directly employ approximately 890,000 people, making this sector one of the most significant employers in American manufacturing.
I’m proud to say that my home state of North Carolina has made sustainability and native species restoration high priorities for its 18.6 million acres of forest land. This commitment contributes to the stability and long-term potential of our forest products industry, which already contributes more than $6 billion to the state’s gross product and provides more than $28 billion in economic benefit.
North Carolina’s Forest Action Plan aims to conserve the state’s working forest landscapes and enhance public benefits provided by forests. A key issue for North Carolina this year is expansion of forest products markets both domestic and international. Critical components of this effort include timely collection of Forest Inventory & Analysis data and landowner education on the benefits of forest certification in order to expand their access to markets.
We’ve made a particular effort in North Carolina to restore longleaf and shortleaf pines to the ranges they once enjoyed in the state. Increased prescribed burning is the key to helping these species thrive and we are cooperating with landowners throughout the tree’s growing range to step up both burning and planting. Both longleaf and shortleaf pine have proven commercial value in addition to their benefits to southern United States ecosystems.
Species restoration and sustainability programs such as ours are taking place throughout the country. They are underway because wood is good for the environment, rural jobs, and the economy. To learn more about what your state is doing to actively manage healthy forests near you, contact your state forestry agency.
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