Sunday starts Forest Products Week, highlighting all the good things that come from well-managed woodlands.

The week “recognizes the people who work in and care for our forests, the industry workers who make the forest products depend on and the many ways forest products contribute to Wisconsin’s economy and quality of life,” the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources stated in a news release.

Wisconsin’s forest products industry contributes $37.8 billion in total economic value to the state and ranks second nationally for production value. The industry also ranks sixth nationally in generating forestry employment, with more than 123,000 jobs in the state.

Though the Wisconsin DNR, understandably, focused on the impact on that state, the forest products industry certainly plays as strong a role — if not more significant — here in the Upper Peninsula. So it’s a week worth celebrating on both sides of the border.

Forest products are not only important to Wisconsin’s economy, but they have a positive effect on lives, the DNR notes.

“From paper products such as food packaging, fine writing paper and toilet paper to lumber used to build homes, flooring and furniture, we depend on forest products daily,” said Scott Lyon, DNR forest products team leader.

Forest products also play a vital role in mitigating the changing climate. Trees store carbon, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions while they are growing, and they retain the stored carbon throughout the useful life of forest products.

Forest Products Week recognizes the industry workers who harvest, transport and transform logs into valuable products and the woodland owners and professional foresters who care for the 17 million acres of forests in Wisconsin to ensure that they provide raw forest materials while also offering recreational opportunities and ecosystem services, such as clean water and air, the DNR states.

“Through the use of sustainable forestry practices, trees are grown and harvested responsibly, providing the economic, social and ecological benefits of forest products today and for future generations,” said Carmen Hardin, DNR Applied Forestry Bureau Director.

Learn more about the economic importance of Wisconsin forest products on the DNR website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/forestbusinesses/factsheets.

– Iron Mountain Daily News